LAST MONTH’S MINUTES

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

The Nester Center

Members Present:  Seth Axelrod, Jack Adler, Stewart Danziger, Naomi Kamins, Richard Kamins, Howard May, Eliot Meadow, Lee Osborne, James Poliner, Ron Rubel, Mike Sigal, Holly Simon, Phyllis Waldman, Jeremiah Weinstock, Irwin Zagoren

Non-voting Members:  Bruce Taillon,

Members Absent: Paula/Rob Goldstein, Diana Lane, Hyime Paley, Myron Poliner, Rabbi Seth Haaz, ex officio

President Seth Axelrod called the meeting to order at 7:21 p.m.

Phyllis Waldman was introduced and warmly welcomed to the board; she is finishing a vacated one-year term.

D’VAR TORAH

Richard Kamins spoke about the importance of names, beginning with a reference to the Hebrew name of the book often translated as Genesis—it is Shemoth, names.  Names recall the lives of people, their history and our communal history.  In our synagogue, we are surrounded by names.  By using and remembering people’s names, we add continuity to our community through time.  His other reflection concerned the need for effective communication of our message that we are a caring, concerned, and committed community.  We on the board will do this best, he suggested, by talking with one another, with the rabbi, and with our fellow congregants and by using our print and electronic means of communication to the best of our ability.

MINUTES FROM PRIOR MEETING

Minutes from the December meeting were approved as presented.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

•Seth Axelrod announced that he will meet with Bruce Taillon to discuss future directions for interfaith activities.  All on the board are welcome to participate.

•Anyone who would like to attend the synagogues/Federation committee meeting on January 25^th in West Hartford should speak with Eliot, who has details.

•There is a plan to have a celebration of Hortie and Jerry Kabel in recognition of their years of service to the congregation, in particular their long co-chairmanship of the Chevra Kadisha Committee.  Seth is currently in charge of the planning.

• A congregant has requested that a candidate for the U.S. Senate speak in our synagogue.  When a written proposal is made, the board can consider the request. 

•Initial discussion of forming a parent and young child playgroup should lead to a proposal to the board for use of synagogue facilities.  When a written proposal is received, the board can consider the proposal.

•The Koach Committee still does not have a chair.  As a point of clarification, it was made clear that in its initial stages, this committee will provide outreach to college students who are children of current members.

•Regarding the museum, we are looking for a volunteer with grant-writing experience to work with Stephen Shapiro, the museum curator, to write an application for assessment of the collection.
•There was a brief conversation about the current policy concerning burial in the CAI cemetery, during which it was reiterated that if the spouse of a member is practicing another faith, that person cannot currently be buried in the cemetery.  The committee is studying this issue with the rabbi and is considering papers that are being submitted to the Rabbinical Assembly on this subject.  Feedback on this topic from congregants should be directed to Jack Adler and the rabbi.

•Board members who are responsible for submitted reports and articles are strongly encouraged to make these submissions in a timely fashion.  Committee reports should be submitted in advance of the executive board meeting because they help fashion the agenda for the following week’s meeting of the full board.

•Reminder that nametags are in the office—please use them.  The idea is that these badges identify us as leaders and it is hoped will made us more approachable, especially for visitors and new members.

•It was suggested that rather than be responsible for making the pulpit announcements, board members might have a particular role in the prayer services.  Seth will explore this idea with the rabbi.