Summary of April 2021 Board Minutes
BZBI Board of Trustees Minutes
April 8, 2021 meeting, 7:00 pm
Community Committee report from Eileen Dwell: We will start a pilot inter-generational reading program in May, chaired by Liza Hillel and Heidi George, with six children, ages 8-10. Adult volunteers were trained by Rosalie Kurz in April. Another committee (Gail Kroop, Jill Freeman and Eileen Dwell) will be making calls to BZBI Families who experience a death, illness, birth of a child or other significant event in which we can be of some support.
When our newly renovated kitchen is complete this fall we will resume our Stocking Up Program, currently with three cooks, Carmie Levine, Gwen Freedman and Eileen Dwell, who make “Stocking Up” meals for families in need, which are then delivered by volunteers, currently , Liza Hillel, Gwen Freedman, Carmie Levine, and Eileen Dwell.
If you are interested in any of these activities contact Eileen Dwell.
HR Report from Matt Whitehorn: Working with Nikki, we have been negotiating terms of engagement with Rabbi Abi. We are working out details for our contract with ADP (our payroll service provider).
Membership committee – Sharon Greis: The Committee finished their calls to newish members, which were all positively received. The Committee also plans to revitalize an older program of creating a buddy system for new members. The renewal Invoices are being sent out on May 27th.
ECE Report from Arielle Kerstein: The 2020-2021 school year continues to exceed expectations. The 2021 camp program is fully enrolled to capacity with 57 children enrolled. School year 2021-2022 is approximately 85% enrolled based on license capacity, compared to about 55% this current school year.
Discussion items presented by Nikki Morris
- Executive Director’s report from Rebecca Slavin-Phillips: She finished her certificate in non-profit management through LaSalle Univ. The new membership video will be finished by the end of May. We had a fairly large in-synagogue service, as well as access through zoom, for Daniel Goldberg’s funeral. We are moving ahead with the kitchen, tallit closet and repaired/new boiler projects. Our new parking permits will take us through the end of 2021. The new calendar for the next year is now being planned.
- Clergy Report: Discussions about the Torah Academy have begun. There was a musical Kabbalat Shabbat, as well as an outdoor gathering for families at the close of Passover. We are talking about hybrid (in synagogue and zoom) services for Shavuot, with an outdoor Kabbalat Shabbat as well.
Development report from Suzanne Litke: We are doing well with our AG and general donations so far, but there will be a letter going out in May for a last push for AG. Terry Soifer, a member of this committee, is taking a development job at JTS so she needs to leave the development committee.
J Proud report from Eileen Dwell: Ivy Weingram and Eileen will co-chair. J Proud is a consortium to build support for the LGBTQ community. The LGBTQ community trusts that the J.Proud Consortium reflects institutions that are safe and inclusive, therefore it is imperative that J Proud members make a commitment to working with the institution they represent to help them transition from being LGBTQ-welcoming to fully LGBTQ-inclusive. We are in the process of meeting the obligations that would fulfill the commitment.
Marketing Report from Bonnie Goldberg: Two years ago, there was a publication of annual Year in Review, which was distributed in the pews during HH. Since we plan to be in the synagogue again this fall for HH, we decided we should begin to prepare this review again. The folder has financials presented as pie charts, as well as who participates in and made donations for the HH services. We should decide what story we want to tell this year and how we are going to tell it.
Tikkun Olam Report from Rosalie Kurz: Coming back from Toronto she learned about a community food system (community-available refrigerator and cupboard with food) set up to help the homeless and others in need. Rosalie has spoken to Society Hill synagogue, which is interested. Kol Tsedek may sponsor one in West Phila. Is this something the shul wants to support?
President’s Report: Rabbi Abi signed a three-year contract this morning. Everyone is excited. She will officially start in August, but will be onboard and contribute before then.
