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.

RABBI’S REPORT

Rabbi Haaz was not in attendance; his report was submitted in writing.

•The introduction to Hebrew reading class ended after 7 sessions; the group wants to continue meeting to practice reading.  An intermediate reading class is being formed.  Rabbi Haaz encouraged all members of the board to take advantage of this opportunity.

•He met with the ritual subcommittee on interfaith burial.  The group will continue to meet every two or three weeks to study the issues and questions in greater depth.

•Purim is at the end of February, everyone on the board is encouraged to find a way to get involved with the holiday.  Pease share your feedback on what has worked well and where we need to grow in our celebration of this minor but meaningful and fun holiday.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Membership/Welcoming. 

•Holly Simon reported that our current membership is 204 family memberships.  There are 4 families that are considering joining, all of which are already participating in some CAI activities.

•She reported on a seminar she attended recently about marketing synagogues.  Not surprisingly, word-of-mouth is the best advertising. When marketing, we should use people’s own experiences rather than a mission statement or other piece devised for the purpose. We should plan and create activities for people to attend.  When people share their positive experiences at synagogue activities with others that becomes the best “marketing.”  The next such activities are the Megillah reading/Purim Carnival/Spiel Café and the winetasting/dancing evening.

Financial.

•The treasurer’s report is in the board packet.  Mike Sigal reported that he had to draw from the endowment to meet operating expenses.  We have already invaded the principal by an around $20,000.   A meeting of the Contribution Review Committee will be on January 24^th to address outstanding dues contributions.

•Some fundraising events may be in the early planning stages.  Please speak with Mike if you have interest in such events.

•The main endowment fund showed a 3% increase, while the Chevra Kadisha fund held steady.

Nester Center.

•The ad hoc operating committee to set policy for use and rental rates is meeting and expects to bring a proposal to the board for approval by March.

•A contractor has been selected for the work on the garage and back entrance.  The architect has not been able to go forward yet, but expects to do so in the near future.

•Eileen Daling and Stephanie Meadow are purchasing shelving to be assembled for the quiet room.

•Stephanie is arranging for a locking cabinet to hold the accessories for the TV/video setup.

•The magnetic keycard system has been installed in the side door.  Congregants who want to use the building must make arrangements with Eileen to get a card and for training on use of the system.

•The contractor is reviewing installation of the bathroom mirrors.

•The ping-pong table in the lower level was donated by Eliot and Stephanie Meadow.

OLD BUSINESS

•Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund has received contributions from 9 members of the board in response to Eliot Meadows’ generous contribution.  Congregants need to be made aware of this fund, as it depends completely on the generosity of individuals.

•To date, no one has volunteered to put together a Super Bowl party at the Nester Center on February 7th.  Eliot is still trying to find someone who would like to organize it.

NEW BUSINESS

•The local director of the Office of Emergency Management informed Morty Pear, a congregant, that CAI could apply for a matching grant up to $37,500 for upgrades to our security system in both the Nester Center and the main building.  An ad hoc committee met with George to discuss the opportunity.  As a result, an application was submitted; we are awaiting paperwork to complete the application.  In the meantime, we need to prepare a statement of how we would use the money in order to receive the matching funds.

•Ron Rubel reported that the company that supports the CAI web site implemented a new calendar module without notifying its clients.  As a result, the dates were incorrect for a brief time, but have been corrected.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Naomi R. Kamins

Secretary