BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

The Nester Center

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

Members Absent: Paula/Rob Goldstein, Naomi Kamins, Eliot Meadow, Hyime Paley, Mike Sigal, Phyllis Waldman

President Seth Axelrod called the meeting to order at 7:15 p.m.

D’VAR TORAH

Jeremiah Weinstock prefaced his remarks by relating his experience the previous weekend at the Shabbat morning service at which he was the 10^th man. He reflected upon what it meant to be a member of this community, how welcoming it felt, and how he and Laura were going to miss the Adath Israel community after they move to St. Louis.

The Torah reading for the week was Shelach Lecha, specifically verses 13.1–15.41. The portion tells the story of the Israelites near the end of their 40-year sojourn through the desert in which Moses sends one spy from each tribe to check out the land of Canaan. Their reports differ from spy to spy. Some say “Yes, it is truly the land of milk and honey,” while others warn of the horrors of the giant residents and fierce tribes, discouraging the Israelites from attempting to follow God’s plan. God is very upset with the children of Israel for their lack of faith but Moses pleads on their behalf. Nonetheless, God decrees that anyone over the age of 20 would not enter the Promised Land; only the children would be able to live there. The lessons from the story include “how to live in this world,” having “faith,” “putting down roots,” and that God will listen if you do not ignore His words.

MINUTES FROM PRIOR MEETING

The minutes of the May 12, 2010, meeting were moved by Lee Osborne, seconded by Holly Simon, and approved by those in attendance.

CONGREGANT COMMENTS

None.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

• President Axelrod spoke of his interaction with Wesleyan Professor Magda Teter, the new Jeremy Zwelling Chair of Jewish Studies at Wesleyan. She is very interested in our Museum, in bringing in a scholar to lead workshops regarding the museum holdings for both the University students and our community. Professor Teter is applying for a Heritage Legacy Grant. There was talk about looking for new Museum cases.

• The President mentioned the 2010 Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce Good Citizen honorees Lee Osborne and Dr. Howard & Sari Rosenbaum. Rabbi Haaz delivered the Benediction at the event.

• The Middletown-based Learning Collective is considering renting space in our Religious School for a 3 day-a-week Kinder Care and K-2 program. The Collective proposes to barter art for the walls and conduct workshops in lieu of rent. More discussion will follow.

• 12 congregation families donated to The Jeremy Zwelling Chair of Jewish Studies at Wesleyan University in honor of CAI member and newly retired Wesleyan professor Jeremy Zwelling.

• 5 children will go to Jewish camps this summer thanks to the continued support and generosity of longtime member Maxine Thumim.

• The Semi-Annual meeting is scheduled for Sunday, June 6 at 10 am. There will be a program recognizing the volunteer work of members of CAI.

• The Cancer Society Relay For Life is set for June 12–13 during which we will honor the memory of Susan Rubel z’l. Rabbi Haaz will lead a Havadalah service on the WWJHS track at (approximately) 9:15 p.m.

• The President reminded all in attendance of the Board Picnic/Social on Sunday June 27, at 2 p.m. at Crystal Lake. Bring your families!

• Special thanks to Roger and Sondra Beit for their generous donation in honor of their son’s Bar Mitzvah.

• Irwin Zagoren asked for volunteers to evaluate the art works of Howard Lerner that he and his parents wish to donate to CAI.

RABBI’S REPORT

• Rabbi Haaz told us that he had fun at his installation and how appreciative his family was of our efforts and hospitality.

• The study session on Shavuot went well.

• The Rabbi would like us to “celebrate” other Jewish holidays (more to come.)

• Summer learning sessions are available, including help for youth enrichment.

• The Rabbi plans to conduct a Learner’s Minyan for adults at 11 a.m. on Sunday beginning in the fall.

• Commemoration of Tisha B’Av is in the works.

• He is planning to conduct a congregational debriefing on his first year at CAI. He would like to create a focus group, have congregants send in questions or comments and follow up with a discussion on Tuesday, June 15 at 7 p.m. His focus is on the ways the Congregation grew during his first year, as well as areas in which we still need to grow. Much discussion followed.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Membership/Welcoming

CAI lost 18 families in fiscal year 2009–10 and added 6. Two more families are holding applications. Some of the ideas chairperson Holly Simon discussed were a Pajama Party (for adults) in the summer and free seats on the second day of Rosh HaShanah. She reported that many of the families who come to check out CAI attend Saturday services and they see a depleted community.

Financial

Treasurer’s Report:

The President presented the 2010–11 proposed budget prepared by Treasurer Mike Sigal, who was absent. Following discussion, the Board voted to present the budget to the Congregation at the Semi-Annual meeting.

Endowment

Chair Myron Poliner reported on both the main CAI account and the Chevra Kadisha account. He put in bids to buy back “calls.” Currently, only one has come back.

COMMITTEES THAT REQUIRE BOARD ACTION

There was no report.

OLD BUSINESS

House Committee: Jack Adler reported on the progress of the Nester Center roof repairs and renovation of the garage. He talked about all the air conditioning in the main building, stating that George Verba will draw up plans, that we might be looking at a used a/c unit, and that the unit in the main sanctuary is slowing down.

NEW BUSINESS

None.

Jere Weinstock moved to adjourn at 8:36 p.m., seconded by Myron Poliner.

Respectfully submitted,

Richard Kamins for the secretary