Committee Leadership

Beth-Elder Committee

 

TBEBethElders@temple-beth-el.org

• Beth-Elders is a group designed to engage our growing number of older members of our congregation.

• A steering committee plans Shabbat Dinners, learn with lunch, and day trips to concerts and museums.

 

Brotherhood

President Mark Helman

TBEBrotherhood@temple-beth-el.org

 

• The Temple Beth-El Brotherhood, an affiliate of the Men of Reform Judaism, is an organization whose mission is to serve congregation and community.

• The Brotherhood welcomes men of all ages to participate in performing mitzvot by supporting our congregation with religious. social action, educational, and social activities.

• They work together, support each other, and form a community of men in accordance with traditions and values of Reform Judaism.

• Furthermore, they offer many opportunities for men to participate in and contribute to our congregation to ensure the continued growth and strength of Reform Judaism.

Budget and Finance Committee

Chair Ellis Waldman

TBEBudgetFinance@temple-beth-el.org

 

The duties of the Finance Committee shall include the following:

• Preparation of a proposed annual budget of the Congregation.

• Preparation of recommendations to the Board of Trustees and the committees for income generation, including the annual schedule for membership support.

• Recommendations and advice to the Board of Trustee for the retention of independent expertise in the performance of an annual audit or review of the Congregation’s financial position.

• Overseeing the Congregation’s income and expenses on an ongoing basis for compliance with the budget approved by the Congregation, including the submission of monthly and annual financial reports to the Board of Trustees.

• Recommending to the Board of Trustees adjustments to membership support requirements for certain membership units when the Committee determines that such adjustments are necessary and appropriate.

Building and Grounds Committee

Chair Ken Orenstein

TBEBuildingGrounds@temple-beth-el.org

 

The duties of the Building and Grounds Committee shall include the following:

• Oversight of maintenance of all property and equipment.

• Establishment and maintenance of a Temple and Cemetery asset log to allow for planned and orderly replacement of the Congregation’s physical assets.

• Preparation of the annual facilities operating and capital budget, including replacement reserves, for submission to the Budget and Finance Committee.

• Recommendations for approval of the acquisition of capital assets and the award of major service and repair contracts consistent with projects and activities approved by the Board of Trustees.

• Recommend to the Executive Committee personnel necessary to operate and maintain Temple physical assets and other physical assets of Congregation.

• Recommend to the Board of Trustees fees and policies for facilities rental and use.

• Oversee the operation and maintenance of the Cemetery in conformance with the rules and regulations governing burial in the Congregation’s Cemetery, and suggest when appropriate changes or amendments to such rules and regulations.

Bylaws and Legal Affairs Committee

TBEByLawsLegalAffairs@temple-beth-el.org

 

The duties of the Bylaws and Legal Affairs Committee shall include:

• When requested by the President or the Board of Trustees, interpretation of the Bylaws.

• When requested by the President, the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees provides guidance on the legal affairs of the Congregation.

Cemetery Committee

Chair Ken Orenstein

TBECemetery@temple-beth-el.org

The Temple Beth-El Cemetery Committee consists of lay members of our congregation who have volunteered to take responsibility for overseeing the cemetery, including its finances and the availability of gravesites.

Communication Committee

Chair Gail Solomon

Co-Chair Judi Labossiere

TBECommunication@temple-beth-el.org

 

The duties of the Communications Committee shall include:

• Recommend communications strategies and implementation plans for the Congregation to help fulfill its mission.

• Preparation and submission annually to the Budget and Finance Committee of the Congregation’s communication budget and monitoring of expenses against the approved budget.

Daily Minyan Committee

Chair Lynn Rakatansky

TBEMinyan@temple-ebth-el.org

 

• Working closely with the rabbi, this group ensures the sustained viability of TBEs’ daily minyan.

• Not only do they coordinate and run the minyanim, they also recruit other members to share in this communal responsibility.

Fine Arts Committee

Chair: Kenneth Rickler

TBEFineArts@temple-beth-el.org

 

• A Subcommittee of Buildings and Grounds this committee exercises oversight over any significant architectural, design or decoration changes to the Temple building or grounds.

• It is also responsible for accepting or purchasing additional art to enhance the beauty of TBE.

Hineinu (Caring) Committee

Chairs 

Hineinu@temple-beth-el.org

 

The Hineinu Committee’s responsibilities relate to the needs of caring for members of the Congregation. The duties of the Hineinu Committee shall include the following:

• In consultation with the Clergy and staff, the identified needs of the members.

• Development of recommendation to the Board of Trustees regarding annual transfers from endowment funds to the Congregation’s operating budget.

Investment Committee

Chair: Ken Shimberg

TBEInvestment@temple-beth-el.org

 

The duties of the Investment Committee shall include:

• Retention and supervision of financial experts, advisors and/or managers to invest the funds of the Congregation in accordance with the guidelines established by the Board of Trustees.

• Monitoring of the performance of the financial experts and/or managers to ensure that the Congregation’s funds are invested wisely.

• Submission to the Board of Trustees of quarterly reports on the status of investing funds.

Leadership Development Committee

Chair: Robert Sandy & John Catania

TBELeadershipDevelopment@temple-beth-el.org

 

• The Leadership Development Committee is responsible for Board leadership training and education, including programs for the orientation of new Board members.

• The Leadership Development Committee assists each of the other committees of the congregation in their development of their respective committee members.

Library Committee

Chair: George Goodwin

TBELibrary@temple-beth-el.org

 

• Preparation and submission annually to the Budget and Finance Committee of the Library budget and the monitoring of Library expenses.

• Recommend policies relating to the promotion of the use of the Library, its management and the relationship of the Library to their libraries.

• Overseeing additions to and deletions from the library’s including periodicals.

Membership and Outreach Committee

Chair: Shari Levine

TBEMembershipOutreach@temple-beth-el.org

 

The duties of the Membership and Outreach Committee shall include:

• Recruitment of new members, introducing new members to the Congregation and the Congregation to them and recommending practices to enhance the attraction and integration of new member into this.

• The committee shall develop and expand new and existing programs to attract members from diverse constituencies including but not limited to singles, young families, same-sex partners, interfaith families, seniors.

• Retention of existing members.

Pride

Chairs: Jodi Glass & Jay Potter

 

Sisterhood

Interim Contact: Lilliane Birch

TBESisterhood@temple-beth-el.org

• Sisterhood is the organization of women from our Congregation who come together in friendship to benefit our Temple, the Jewish community and beyond.

• Sisterhood is the collective presence, voice, and strength of women within the structure of our Congregation. It provides the setting in which its members meet and work together to foster and further the highest ideals of Judaism.

Social Justice Intiative Committee

• Chairs:  Amy Gaddes & Celia Harms

  • Subcommittees:

    Pride: Jay Potter & Jodi Glass

    Refugee Resettlement: Mona Goldenberg, Celia Harms & Amy Gaddes

    Racial Justice: Ryan Forman & Jana Knibb

    Food Insecurity: Carolyn Winter 

    Environmental Justice: Suzanne Borstein

    TBEsocialjusticeintiative@temple-beth-el.org

    Helping people in need, regardless of race, religion, or nationality and addressing the underlying causes of social inequities are primary concerns of the Congregation. The duties of the Social Justice Initiative Committee shall include the following:

    • Identification of special needs and their underlying causes within the Rhode Island community and beyond which can be served by the efforts of the Congregation.
    • Recommend and organize programs to address identified needs.

Usher Committee

• Chair: Ellis Waldman

  TBEUshers@temple-beth-el.org

  • The role of TBE’s users is to greet congregants and guests, answer their questions and maintain the solemnity of the service.
  • Users accomplish this by welcoming worshipers, helping them find their place in the prayer book, and by directing those unfamiliar with the Temple building to seats, restrooms, exits and other necessary locations.
  • Being an usher at Temple Beth-El is an important position.

Worship Practices

Chair: Lynn Rakatansky

TBEWorship_Practices@Temple-beth-el.org

 

The duties of the Worship Practices Committee shall include:

• In consultation with the Clergy, recommend to the Board of Trustees policies of the Congregation relating to worship services and related activities.

Youth & Family Engagement Committee

Chair: 

TBEYouth_Family_Education@temple-beth-el.org

The goals and duties of the Youth and Family Engagement Committee shall include:

• Provide support to the Director and Assistant Director of Youth & Family Engagement in their work related to:

  • The Rabbi Leslie Yale Gutterman Religious School

  • K’tantan

  • Youth Groups (Azeh Kef, Sababa and PROVTY)

  • Family Shabbat & Holiday Celebrations

• Support includes:

  • Serving as ambassadors of our programs to Temple leadership, congregants and prospective members

  • Determining policies as needed to maintain the health and safety of our students and faculty.

  • Evaluate current offerings to determine improvement and growth (includes programs as well as spaces)