Previous Messages from President Dave Roberts
Each year approximately one-third of our Board members are reelected or replaced (the maximum consecutive service is six years). This year, Linda Kay has agreed to chair the Nominating Committee charged with developing a slate of Directors which, after approval by the Board of Directors, will be submitted to the congregation for a vote at our Annual Meeting in June.
Becoming a Board member is an honor; however, being a Board member is not an honorary position. First and foremost, Board members are fiduciaries.
Many times when people hear the word “fiduciary,” they think only of someone managing money. But, fiduciary has a much broader meaning—Webster’s dictionary defines a fiduciary as “a person to whom property or power is entrusted for the benefit of another.”
Over the past two years, as a Power of Attorney and Health Care Representative for my elderly parents, I have come to understand and appreciate in a very personal way that broader meaning of fiduciary. Because my parents have a limited ability to care for themselves, I have had to make decisions for them regarding where they live, how to dispose of their farm, and about how they should be treated medically.
Board members are the “Powers of Attorney” and “Health Care Representatives”—the fiduciaries—for the Temple congregation. It is this group of 30 individuals who are entrusted with the ultimate responsibility for the welfare of our congregation, the synagogue’s building, its money, and the management of our staff. When you think about it, it is a big responsibility.
Many times it is also a confusing responsibility. As Board members, we must educate ourselves enough to resolve the sometimes conflicting needs and desires of our 500-plus families, our staff, and our volunteers. One important way we do this is through active involvement in synagogue life—attending services, serving on committees, and being open to talk with other members about Temple issues—how else are we to know our constituents’ needs and wishes?
If you know of a Temple member who would make a great fiduciary, let Linda Kay (linbob1117@comcast.net) or me (Droberts65@cox.net) know. There are a limited number of positions open, however, we will carefully consider your suggestions.
Shalom.
With sadness, on December 10th I sent
a letter to our members announcing Cantor Mekler’s decision
not to
renew her contract which expires on May 31, 2008. In that letter
I promised that our Board of Directors would
expeditiously begin to define a plan regarding how to go forward.
The Board has met and after considerable discussion of this important
issue has outlined the following general path:
1. Marlene Gordon has agreed to chair
a committee that will plan how to honor Cantor Mekler for her long
and distinguished service to Sinai. Marlene may be contacted at
jnmgordon@hotmail.com.
2. Rabbi Shapiro will take the lead in
ensuring that proper planning, tutoring, etc. for the Bar/Bat Mitzvahs
scheduled for June are in place. Rabbi has already personally spoken
with each of the affected families.
3. A Search Committee has been formed with
past president Mel Chafetz appointed as chair. Over the next few
months, we will be working closely with the American Conference of
Cantors (ACC--the Reform Movement Cantor’s association) placement
office to identify potential cantorial candidates. The highlights
of the process are:
a. We will file Sinai’s application with the ACC Placement Office. The application will be posted on the ACC website for interested cantors to review.
b. The Search Committee will review applications and CD’s received from candidates.
c. Phone interviews will be conducted with selected candidates Probably two to four candidates will be asked to meet in person with the Search Committee. Representatives from the Search Committee may observe finalist candidates in their current pulpit.
d. Ideally, the Search Committee will identify
one or two candidates who best meet our requirements. The
candidate(s) will be presented to the Board of Directors for final
approval.
e. Assuming Board approval, a contract with the new cantor would be finalized.
f. We would like the new cantor to begin
service at Sinai between July 1, 2008 and September 1, 2008.
g. If for some reason, the above process does not yield an acceptable candidate, the Board has directed that we find an interim cantor for approximately one year, and then repeat the above process.
As we search for a new cantor, we plan to provide opportunities for our members to provide input into the process. During January the Search Committee held two open meetings soliciting input from our members. Your continuing input is welcome. Please feel free to contact Mel or me with any ideas you may have.
Shalom,
Dave
During the High Holidays I asked if you would join me in volunteering to serve in some capacity for the Temple. We called this initiative the “One Step” program. The choices ranged from short, one-time projects to joining a standing committee. I am pleased to report that over seventy-five members signed up for ninety-eight volunteer assignments!
In addition to volunteering, many of you also signed up for one or more of the Jewish self-enrichment opportunities.
Your response once again affirms what a wonderful, caring, and vibrant community we have at Sinai.
Volunteering is a great way to become more integrated into the Sinai community. It provides a chance to meet people with similar interests and establish new friendships while making the Temple stronger—a real win-win for you and Sinai.
It is not too late to join the One Step program. Simply go to the Sinai website (www.Sinai-temple.org) and click on the One Step program and fill out the form. Of course you can always contact a committee chair, a Board member, or me to volunteer.
Also, during the High Holidays, I mentioned that we would soon have a Suggestion Box at Sinai. It is located in the main hallway on a table near the tallitot . If you prefer, you can fill out a suggestion form at our website. Either way, we would love to hear your ideas.
Shalom,
Dave
In late August, I had a conversation with Lynn Solomon who, along with her mother, Ann Rosenfield, was co-chairing the Religious School tag sale. Lynn needed more volunteers to work at the sale. I made some phone calls and also decided to volunteer myself. I must confess that I was a bit apprehensive—I had never helped out at a tag sale before and didn’t know what to expect.
Everything worked out well--the Religious School had a wonderfully successful sale, and I enjoyed meeting and working with the other volunteers.
On Rosh Hashanah I asked each of you to consider volunteering to do something—big or small—or to commit to doing something new or different regarding your Jewish life. I hope that your volunteer experience will be similar to mine—that you enjoy what you do for the Temple and that you make new friends in the process. Doing good can feel good, too!
Remember, if no one has contacted you by November 15 about your offer to volunteer, email me at Droberts65@cox.net or call me at (860) 763 3902. I want to be sure that all who volunteer are contacted. By the time this Bulletin is printed, there should be new Suggestion Box in the Temple as well as one on this website. Please take a moment to give us your ideas for improving Sinai. Constructive criticism is welcome, too. Just remember, that with over 500 families, not everyone will agree with every suggestion, but every suggestion will be reviewed.
Shalom,