Governance
In 2003, after much study and input form many sources, Beth El revised its governance structure to enable the Board to focus on strategic issues and also allow for more member involvement in the development and implementation of congregational activities and programs.
There are six Centers of operation, each of which is chaired by one of our vice presidents. In addition to the standing committees listed below, each Center may, at times, create an ad hoc committee to deal with a specific event or issue. The twelve Board trustees are also represented in the Centers, based on their individual interests and skills.
At the beginning of each year, the Center vice presidents, together with other officers, determine what major initiatives and issues need to be addressed by the Centers. Then, over the course of that year, each Center has the opportunity to report to the Board on its activities and discuss how they are moving forward with major initiatives that fall within the respective Centers.
1. Worship and Spirituality: VP Susan Levine
Committees represented in this Center are: Worship (Chair: Susan Levine); Ushering (Chair:Allen Eisenberg); Ritual (Chair: Susan Levine); Chevra Kadisha (Chair: Darryl Sherman and Sara Greenbaum).
2. Community Building: VP Sharon Zissman
Committees and Auxiliaries represented in this Center are: B'ruchim Habaim (Chair: Jonina Duker); College Outreach (Chair: Gale Dutcher); Day School (Co-Chairs: Lori Bard and Sharon Pohoryles); Havurot (Chair: open); Hospitality (Chair: Marilyn Hammerman); Inreach (Chair: Sharon Zissman); Israel Action Committee (Chair: Phil Ochs); Membership (Chair: Susan Stillman); Men’s Club (President: Jonathan Stone); Nitzanim (Co-Chairs: Dan Goldman and Steve Susswein); Sisterhood (President: Amanda Ford)/Zhava Co-Presidents: Sharon Fine and Arielle Grill); Senior Caucus and Vatikkim (Roz Sporn and Richard Belferman); World Jewry (Chair: Claire Marwick).
3. Communications and Tikkun Olam: VP Jerry Herman
Committees represented in this Center are: Marketing and PR (Chair: open); Scroll (Chair: Marsha Rehns); Website (Co-Chairs: Arthur Popper and Gary Rosenfeld)); Tikkun Olam (Chair: Barbara Cohen).
4. Education and Lifelong Learning: VP Jonathan Levy
Committees and Auxiliaries represented in this Center are: Family Education (Chair: Michele Lieban Levine); Library (Chair: Robin Jacobson); Preschool (Chair: Carolyn Weinberg); Religious School (Chair: Rachel Gafni); Saul Bendit Adult Institute (chair: Jack Ventura); Youth Activities (Chair: Debbie Teicher).
5. Development and Finance: VP Bucky Jacobson
Committees represented in this Center are: Budget and Finance (Chair: Alon Vogel); Pillars (Chair: Ken Levine); Planned Giving (Chair: Larry Sidman); Support Foundation (Chair: Sheldon London).
6. Administration: VP Leslie Shedlin
Committees represented in this Center are: House and Properties (Chair: Mark Schifrin); Human Resources (Chair: David Bachrach); Nominating (Chair: Walter Arnheim).