Minutes of Steering Committee meeting 5.10.2011

Present: J Rosenberg (co-chair), Linda Gradstein (co-chair), Danielle Bernstein, Noomi Stahl, Danny Rohrlich, Josh Schoffman (Audit) Danny Gottlieb, Penina Arbit, Eudice Harris, Deborah Kalker, Gary Ginsberg (treasurer), Kobi Abelman, Donna Goldberg, Debbie Greniman, Esther Edell, Dov Rabinowitz

1 Minutes of the previous meeting were ratified

2 Language of meetings: D Kalker – should be a practical decision rather than one of principle; Daneille B – need to make a decision of principle but allow flexibility in order that no-one should feel that they are forcing others to use a language that they wouldn’t choose of their own accord. Donna – a practical decision, the community was founded to take in olim. No need to acccept a single principle in this respect. Necessity of keeping translation to a minimum. Kobi – obviously anyone can express themselves in whichever language they choose, and we should make an effort to be seen as Hebrew-speaking. On principle it is clear that the primary language is Hebrew.  Dov: there are a number of considerations involved; the language has to be a practical decision for the majority of the members. But anyone who is willing to sit on the committee should also be prepared to spend a little extra time needed for translations, in order that everyone can participate.  J – we’ll continue for the moment as at the previous meeting with the meeting being run in Hebrew but with the option for those who wish to use English and ask for translation where necessary. Danny R – we promised Gary that he would be able to participate and we ‘re committed to that.  Danny G – it’s important that the decision-makers have a basic understanding of what they’re deciding about. Linda said that she would talk to Gary and Esther to see how they view the issue.

3 Previous Events

The Task Force Shabbat Iyun was well-attended and elicited positive feedback. At the next meeting we will deal with the actual resolutions accepted and establishing a permanent task force.

Rosh Hashana: the tefilot went well, but there wasn’t enough space on the women’s side. At Kol Nidre there will be assigned seating fo rthe members. Kobi – not enough participants to run a secondary  Musaf on RH. Linda asked Penina to prepare a seating plan for the coming meeting. Penina suggested asking the members for feedback and suggestions for imporvement via De’ot.

4 Spiritual Support (see attachment)

Danielle B’s  and Debbie G’s proposal. Not a “time bank” in the traditional sense . Debbie G – need for a committee of matchmakers to handle volunteers and match them to clients. Not a good idea that these lists appear on the website, as this would open it to abuse. Danielle – the group should act in in concert with the existing support mechanisms already present in the community. Need to set up a committee through personal contacts and De’ot to find suitable people. Danny R suggested that this support mechanism should concentrate specifically on immediate urgent help where needed. The proposal was accepted.

5 Future Events

It was decided to hold a secondary minyan during Hol Hamoed. Who will open and close up for the later minyan? Kobi and Dov agreed to co-ordinate between the two of them.

Learning Night on Hoshana Raba in conjunction with Ma’ale Gilboa. Program to be publicised by Yom Kippur. Need for two Maale Gilboa people to keep an eye on the event all the way through.

Simchat Torah: Kobi and Danny R will deal with borrowing extra Torah scrolls and Danielle B and Danny R will organize getting them to the shul.

Linda agreed to buy the candy bags for the kids.

Rabin memorial evening (8-11). Debbie Weissman agreed to put together the program on the Religious Zionist sector and soul-searching since Rabin’s  murder.

Get-to- know-New- members Shabbat (19 Nov, Haye Sara) Joint meals for Friday night, invitations for Shabbat lunch and a motzei Shabbat dessert-party. Linda and  Debora K organizing.

Efrata school have asked to continue using the shul for the coming year for Rosh Hodesh tefilot and also Humash parties. Their request was accepted.

Collecting money to repair the mosques in Tuba-Zangaria. Noomi asked to collect money from community members. Josh Schoffman suggested finding out about mosques in Judea and Samaria which were damaged.

DONM Tuesday November 1 20:00