Temple Beth Israel Board

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

Highlights from the September 2008 Board Meeting

OPEN FORUM: A concerned congregant spoke to the Board concerning the high summer temperatures in the new building, particularly in the Administrative wing. This concern is shared by the Board, as well as the Building Use Committee, and steps are being taken to remedy the situation led by the professionals who designed the system.

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN AND BUILDING SALE: The sale of the Portland St. building is nearing completion! The building will be owned by the Security First Child Care Center, and they are excited to be acquiring our wonderful old building and have agreed to the installation of a plaque on the building commemorating its creation and history as a synagogue. The sale is being completed with a deeded trust to transfer the property to the new owners, which should all be completed before Rosh Hashanah. The Capital Campaign continues, with about $600,000 left to raise to meet the original goals. If you have not yet donated to the campaign, or if you wish to increase your donation before the end of the tax year, now is the time to help TBI reach its goal!

BUILDING MEMBERSHIP: The Board is planning a membership drive over the next several months, and is also planning to expand the Community Connections Committee. TBI is a welcoming community with much to offer to members, and our new building allows for greater expansion of programming and services. The current membership goal is to build a strong and diverse community dedicated to spiritual and community service. To help with either the Membership Committee or the Community Connections Committee, contact Nina in the office.

OTHER ISSUES: Several new projects will be initiated in the coming months, including a special dinner focused on human rights at the end of January, and the first TBI auction in our own facility. More information will be coming on both these projects!

The Board wishes to send our huge and heartfelt gratitude toward everyone who contributed in any way to the completion of the extraordinary new TBI facility, and to all those who are contributing to its success in its first year of operations!

L’Shana Tova!
Submitted by Lucy Zammarelli
TBI Board Secretary

Archived Board Minutes

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

Officers' Messages

As I write this in mid-July, my feet have barely touched the floor after the amazing events of June—begun with the dedication of our new Temple, and ended with Aaron’s Bar Mitzvah. June was certainly a time of beautiful transitions—the transition of our community to our new space and the new opportunities it brings, and the transition of my youngest child to the world of adulthood.

At the dedication ceremony, I likened our building of the new Temple to the creation of the mishkan in the desert: “Everyone among the Israelites whose spirit moved them brought their gifts and their talents, as freely given offerings to God. And the mishkan—the Temple—was built.” And that is exactly what happened in our community. While we will take care over the next few weeks and months to ensure that everyone who so generously contributed to this effort is acknowledged, I want to offer our community’s heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed:

The members of the Steering Committee and its advisory committees who worked tirelessly for a decade to do whatever it took to make this project happen consistent with our values and perspectives;

All who served, and continue to serve, on the Capital Campaign and their appreciative and respectful approach to fundraising;

All the officers and trustees who had demonstrated the courage and leadership we needed so often along the way;

Rabbi Yitzhak and Rabbi Maurice for their leadership, and every member of our staff for their tireless work; and

All of the congregants and larger community members who donated their time and talent to us, including those who took countless hours from their businesses and professions to give that time and expertise to us.

And a special thank you to each one of you who donated, built, designed, created, managed, planted, painted, schlepped, and who gave time, money and talents for the good of our congregation and of our community.

My wish is that this space be more than just bricks and mortar. I hope that it will represent the vision of the next generation, just as Portland Street did for the last generation. I hope that it will embody the spiritual and religious beauty of Judaism and of our congregation. I hope that all who enter our doors find it a welcoming place that demonstrates our commitments to accessibility, sustainability, education, social action, our children and our world.

But we are not done. We still have much work to do to complete our Capital Campaign. As of now, we have about $640,000 to raise—a long way from the $3 million we started with! I look forward to the day when I can write to you and tell you we’re done!

B’Shalom,
Sharon Rudnick

TBI Board President