Temple Beth Israel Board

(Back row L to R) Jeff Willensky, Hap Ponedel, Lucy Zammarelli, Geraldine Moreno-Black, Cindi Palman, Nathan Philips, Alan Leiman, Kelly Wolf, Bernie Maengen; (front row) Aura Solomon, Cary Lieberman, Justine Lovinger, Kevin Alltucker, Wayne Taubenfeld. Not shown: Maram Epstein


The TBI Board meets the second Thursday of every month at 7pm at the synagogue. The board meetings are open to all members* and the first ten minutes of the meeting are an open forum for members to bring issues to the attention of the full board. The TBI Board consists of board members (trustees) and the Executive Team.

*NOTE: On occasion, when a privileged or confidential matter is being discussed, the board will go into "executive session" - meaning non-Board members will be excused from the room.

Contact the Board members

From Board President,
Alan Leiman

November/December 2011

If you read the Board’s recent High Holy Day Appeal letter, or you heard my talk at Kol Nidre services, it is not news that TBI is facing some significant financial challenges. Despite these challenges, our Synagogue continues to play an important role in the lives of our members and the greater community. I am confident that TBI will adapt and do more with less if that is our new financial reality. I also have faith in what I have been told repeatedly by many long term supporters of TBI, that our members and supporters will rise to the occasion and provide the financial support that will allow us to continue along the course we have charted.

Last month, the TBI Board, with the help of the Development Committee, launched the TBI Now campaign. The goals of TBI Now are twofold: raise one million dollars over the next three years to pay down a portion of the debt on the building, and; increase participation in the Circles of Giving to provide more stability for the annual operating budget. The capital campaign portion of TBI Now is off to a great start. We have already raised over $275,000 for the building, in large part thanks to a $100,000 matching donation from a generous member of the congregation. We set the one million dollar goal on the belief that we will see participation from those who have joined our community since the last capital campaign ended, and that those of us who previously participated will make a renewed commitment to help finish what we started. It is important that we capture the momentum and build on our early success. When a Board member or a member of the Development Committee calls to speak with you about TBI Now, please consider how you might participate in a way that is meaningful to you and that will help the community move in the direction of greater financial stability.

In addition to raising capital to pay for the building, TBI Now also seeks greater participation in the annual Circles of Giving. As previously disclosed, despite a careful and deliberate budgeting process, we are currently projecting a $40,000 dues shortfall in the current fiscal year. TBI relies on membership dues and Circles of Giving to fund roughly 45% of its operating budget. Dues are currently set at $1,800 per year for a family, and no one is turned away based on their inability to pay full dues. Each member household is empowered to self-adjust the amount of dues paid. Guidelines are suggested, and everyone is asked to make what to them represents a meaningful contribution to support the annual operations of the Synagogue. This approach to the payment of dues honors our values, but leaves little room for maneuvering when the collective financial support of the community comes up short as it has this year.

We trust that the reason over half our congregation pays less than full dues is because they cannot afford to do otherwise. While we hope for a rising and/or a more just and equitable economic tide that improves the financial wellbeing of our community, we cannot afford to wait. Unless we are able to make up some or all of the projected shortfall, we will be looking at implementing current year budget reductions that will be painful and difficult.  If we want to avoid cuts, all of us, regardless of whether we pay $18 or $1,800 in dues, should re-examine our commitments and if possible increase our annual support of TBI.  If you are a member who pays full dues and has not joined a Circle, your participation in the Circles of Giving is essential to maintaining the current level of services. If you are already a Circles participant, please consider moving to a higher Circle.

If we do not succeed in making up this year’s shortfall, the TBI we know and love will go on but will look different. Going forward, we will realign our expectations and retool our budget to reflect the reality that we must live within our means. The membership will be called upon to take a greater role in services and programming, parents will be called upon to take a greater role in the Talmud Torah program, and most likely our overall services to the congregation will be reduced.

Over the coming year, I look forward to engaging in a broader community conversation about the choices and decisions we face, influenced in large part on how TBI Now is progressing. Please feel free to contact me or any member of the Board if you would like more information about TBI Now, or if you simply would like to talk about the future of our Synagogue.

Archived Board Minutes

Minutes from the TBI Board meetings are available to members in the Administrative Offices.