Summary of April 2022 Board Minutes
BZBI Board of Trustees Minutes for Blog
April 11, 2022 meeting, 7:00 pm
Strategic Vision report from Gary Bramnick April -July 2022: Select and train Task Force. Sept. 2022- Jan 2023: Planning Phase I-identify goals and the people and financial requirements to meet those goals. Develop a timeline and actionable steps to achieve the goals. Feb 2023-March 2023 Planning Phase II-Review Phase I report with eye for additions to ’23-’24 budget. Write Strategic Plan Overview, identifying “low hanging fruit” for first steps. April 2023-June 2023 Planning Phase III- Write full strategic plan, then share with Board and Congregation. July 2023-June 2028-implement plan.
Youth & Family Committee report from Anne Albert: The Purim fund raiser was a big success raising over 25% more than last year! Rachel Beck resigned to take up an exciting new professional opportunity. Rabbi Max is covering most of her roles, but Rachel continues as the USY advisor and teaching her own Moving Traditions group. A job description has been crafted for a search to replace her next year.
Membership Committee report from Sharon Greis: We are maintaining a list of new prospective members, contacting them personally and inviting them to a Yesod Shabbat picnic dinner in Fitler Square.
POWER (subcommittee of Tikkun Olam) report from Rachel Beck and Bill Brookover: After conversations with congregants we learned they had far-reaching concerns, including education funding, climate justice, voter engagement, criminal justice reform and economic dignity, all of which are campaigns that POWER carries out. Within the Jewish community there were concerns about food insufficiency, housing and access to health care. We now need to create proposals to address these problems. We should have a member of the board, be it Tikkun Olam or Social Action, to work with this POWER committee.
Israel Engagement Reportfrom Shel Bernick: Last month BZBI was one of the sponsors for Art Tolerance with members of the Polyphony Chamber orchestra in several selections as a precursor for a concert at the Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church.
David Haas: He is leaving and wanted to say goodbye. He did give his all and burned himself out a bit. He plans to take a break and travel with his wife, and then come back and do some of the same work, but as a volunteer.
Executive Director’s report from Lynne Balaban: Larry Kessler and Lynne are convening to discuss options going forward re COVID safety. She will keep us in the loop. She just returned from a three day conference in Charlotte NC of the ED’s national organization. It was very successful and rejuvenating. She received an award for 10 years of service. She is working toward and is close to receiving some additional certification. She also gave a shout out to Bev Cohen in the gift shop, who is doing a terrific job, which we should all acknowledge.
Development report from Suzanne Litke: Our finances, through Annual Giving, Annual Giving, Tributes and Memorial and other non-AG donations are OK, but still short of our target. Our AG % participation is ~41%, and we would like that to reach 50%. People seemed excited about the 49-49-49 program, presented in services, which should help us reach all our goals. We plan to start work on the kitchen soon, and will continue raising funds to support that effort.
Finance committee report from Daniel Cohen: Our cash investments have stabilized but we hope make up the current short fall through AG and Tributes/Memorial Fund as well as our very successful Mishloach Manot campaign, which exceeded our expectations this year. We have a bid to replace our boiler.
Clergy Report from Rabbi Abe and Rabbi Abi: On Sunday May 1, we returned to in-person morning minyans on Sunday 9:00am and Thursday 7:45am (we read Torah those mornings.)
Kabbalat Shabbat will be returning to Fitler Square with a permit. On May 13 at 4:30, and then 6pm on May 20 we will have Yesod dinner followed by some services at 7:30. These events are not just for kids. The area is available through the summer. We have a 4-hour window each Friday so we have flexibility. Rabbi Abi wants to keep some musical Friday nights in Kahaner.
Governance Committee report by Jessica Simon. Jess has heard from everyone. We have nominating committee Gregg Kanter and Jess Simon Co-Chairs, Sherri Cohen, Deb Glassman, Tanya Hess, Jill Jokelson and Josh Levy, and will now go forward. The Annual Meeting will be virtual on June 22, 2022 at 7pm.
President’s report:
Mazel Tov to YFE for Mishloach Minot fundraising for Purim.
