LAST MONTH’S MINUTES

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

The Nester Center

Members Present:  Seth Axelrod, Jack Adler, Stewart Danziger, Naomi Kamins, Richard Kamins, Howard May, Lee Osborne, James Poliner, Ron Rubel, Holly Simon, Irwin Zagoren,  Rabbi Seth Haaz, ex officio

Members Absent: Paula/Rob Goldstein, Diana Lane, Eliot Meadow, Hyime Paley, Myron Poliner, Mike Sigal, Jeremiah Weinstock

President Seth Axelrod called the meeting to order at 7:20 p.m.

D’VAR TORAH

Holly Simon offered her observations about several topics in this week’s Torah readings, and that they come from both Genesis and Numbers.  Interestingly, in the reading from Genesis, God is not mentioned.  The reading from Numbers is about Moses and the extensive preparation of the tabernacle.  She came away from her study with a new understanding of gratitude for God and for His giving what He has.

MINUTES FROM PRIOR MEETING

Minutes from the November meeting, as taken by Jim Poliner, were approved as presented.  It was noted that two reports submitted for the meeting package, were not included.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

•Seth Axelrod briefly mentioned again the November 18^th meeting in Orange, CT with Rabbi Stephen Wernick and the emerging USCJ action plan.

•The biennial convention of the USCJ was held in Cherry Hill, New Jersey; he, Eliot Meadow and Joanna Schnurman attended.  Seth was particularly taken by a session on interfaith topics led by Rabbi Olitzky, whose message was that the area of interfaith relations should be viewed as a positive—an indication that Jews are seen as desirable partners—rather than as a problem.  With interfaith couples and families, we can better perform the mitzvah of welcoming the stranger.  He offered a challenge:  to think of the non-Jewish partner as “not halachically Jewish” rather than not Jewish.  He is someone we might try to have come to CAI to address us on related issues.

•Seth offered remarks of appreciation for the many and varied activities our rabbi has designed, sponsored, led, and participated in.

•Seth announced a second representative to the Board—Rachel Levenson, a student at Wesleyan University, who is also our USY/Kadimah leader.  She plans to attend Board meetings regularly, beginning with the February meeting.  She will serve as CAI’s liaison with Wesleyan Jewish community activities.

•We are working to fill the chairmanship of a koach committee that will create outreach and communication activities with our young adult congregants who are away much of the year.

•Jim Poliner is chairing the nominations committee.  His first focus is to identify candidates for the position of vice president.

•A reminder that Eliot’s challenge grant of $50 to the Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund for any size contribution by a member of the Board ends at the end of this month, so please, make your contribution quickly.

The response to a question if there was a focus on increasing membership in Conservative Judaism at the USCJ convention, was that Rabbi Wernick sees that the gap in active Jewish participation has widened from age 13 now to young adults in their mid-30s.   In the USCJ action plan, this is acknowledged as a major concern and programming packets are under development to reach out to young adults in college.

RABBI’S REPORT

•Rabbi encouraged those who have volunteered to offer a d’var Torah to engage in conversation with him in preparation.  He sees this as a good way to build a relationship and looks forward to this opportunity to connect with us.

•Shabbat related activities, including services, are showing small but significant successes.  There has been growing energy, enthusiasm and attendance at Friday evening services, with as many as 50 attending.  Beginning in January, we will have a special “Pray, Eat, Sing” Erev Shabbat on the 3^rd Friday of every month that is designed to include congregants with young children.  With a 5:30 start, we can have a full experience and still get home at a reasonable hour.  The second and fourth Fridays of each month are regular services, and the first Friday is a youth-led service.

•Shabbat morning services have experienced a smaller, but noticeable increase in attendance.  It is particularly pleasant to have lunch together afterward, visiting and singing.

•At the first communal, monthly Havdallah service at the Nester Center, there were about 40 people.  This brief, lovely service that marks the end of Shabbat and the start of the work/school week fits well into people’s schedules and should be seen as just part of an evening.

•The Beginning Hebrew class, which meets on Mondays from 6 to 7 pm is small but enthusiastic.  Torah reading/chanting is on Sundays at 12:30 pm.  Both classes meet at the Nester Center.

•Regarding development of a plan for the interfaith cemetery, he is working with Jack on the language.  They have consulted papers presented to the USCJ Committee on Laws and Standards.  The resulting plan will be brought to the CAI subcommittee soon.

•As use of the Nester Center keeps evolving, we will find more things that we can do there.  Now that the TV service has been connected, we ought to initiate plans for a Super Bowl party, for which interest has been expressed.

•January is the time to make plans for celebrating Purim and create specific activities.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Membership/Welcoming. 

•The next event is a kosher wine tasting and ballroom dance evening, scheduled for Saturday, March 6^th—an ideal couple’s night out.  We should investigate how to invite Jewish members of the faculty and staff at Wesleyan to join us.
•We have experienced no losses to our community this past month and have potentially 2 new family members.

Financial.

•The treasurer’s report is in the packet.  There were no questions.

•The main endowment fund showed a $30,000 increase, while the Chevra Kadisha fund decreased around $500.   The decrease was caused by withdrawals for operating expenses.

Nester Center.

•Installation of Direct TV is scheduled for next week.

•The City Fire Marshall has informally approved use of the basement for youth activities.  He requested that we install exit signs with arrows, but otherwise acknowledged that the space is virtually fireproof and suitable for small-group activities that do not meet daily or for many hours at a time.  He noted that there are fire alarm bells already installed there.  Questions about the suitability of fire extinguishers could best be addressed by the Fire Marshall, although it was pointed out that the best practice is to vacate the building and call in the alarm.

•A committee to set use policy and rental rates for the Center is scheduled to meet on December 29^th.  Post 206 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars has expressed interest in holding meetings there.  It was suggested that a monthly calendar of use be kept and that, as a courtesy, Rabbi and Bonnie Rose be apprised of upcoming events there.

•Two quotes have been received for renovation to the back entrance and the garage, using the design by Lee Osborne.  Based on the quotes, both of which are in an acceptable range, Irwin Zagoren made a motion that up to $20,000 be approved for the work.  This amount includes a contingency fund.  The motion was seconded.  In discussion, it was agreed that the concrete floor of the garage be extended outward to create a small entry apron.  The motion carried unanimously.

OLD BUSINESS

Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund has received some contributions recently and has enough money now to lend limited assistance to some CAI families in need.  With further growth, there are local charities that Rabbi would like to support as well—some of these are in keeping with what our prior rabbi supported over the last decade—then he will look outward into the larger community to lend support.  It was suggested that Rabbi might want to keep a list of funding so he could identify long-standing support of particular organizations, funds, groups, etc. that future donors might want to target for their contributions.

NEW BUSINESS

•CAI Museum:  Prior to this meeting, members of the Board met with Stephen Shapiro, curator, who expressed concerns about the state of the museum, problems, and the need for better protection of this valuable collection.  Jim Poliner volunteered to contact our insurance company to discuss increased security.  Eliot Meadow volunteered to seek guidance on appraisal, protection and preservation of the antiquities. In addition, Rabbi, Seth Axelrod, and Eliot will start a discussion about fundraising for the museum.

•House Committee:  Jack Adler reported for Hyime Paley that bids have gone out on repair/replacement of the air conditioning unit that services the auditorium.  A report is forthcoming.

•A reminder about the Community Candlelighting event, including dinner:  RSVPs are requested.  Around 40 people have already responded.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Naomi R. Kamins

Secretary