The Temple Board met on Sunday, November 16. The following is a summary of that meeting.
The K'hilat Ha'Aloneem Board met on November 16 for their regularly scheduled Board meeting. A revised proposed budget was presented to the Board by Fred Rothenberg, representative of the Financial Committee. A Motion was passed approving the budget and with the consideration that it would be used as a prism to look at projected Temple expenses. The budget would be revised as appropriate as expenditures are authorized.
Further discussion was held regarding Board duties and clarification and delegation of chairmanship of committees. It was determined that there should be three committees, consisting of Membership, Programming (including Education and Ritual) and Finance. Each committee would be chaired by a member of the Congregation, other than a Board member. The necessity of reaching out to the membership for purposes of planning, implementing and participation in Temple activities was discussed.
It was also reported that a discussion has been held with Rabbi Yossi Carron regarding bi-weekly rabbinical services. Discussions remain pending.
The next Board meeting is scheduled for December 14, 2008 at 10 am., at K'hilat Ha'Aloneem. Members are welcome to attend. If a member wishes to have an item placed on the meeting agenda, please contact President Susan deCordova prior to the meeting. Her e-mail is decordovas@sbcglobal.net.
Margo Milden-Haas
Secretary
K'hilat Ha'Aloneem held their Board Meeting on December 14, 2008 and items discussed included an update regarding the Pillars Program and membership fees. It was confirmed that Rabbi Yossi Carron will be conducting Friday night services at 5:30 p.m. on December 19 followed by a Chanukah party.
Discussion held regarding Board Operations. The need for an annual all inclusive calendar was discussed for scheduling purposes. Extensive discussion regarding structure of the Board with delegation of duties and committees, and the need for an Operations Manual to be compiled for purposes of event planning.
Information will be sent to the K'hilat Ha'Aloneem membership regarding the upcoming Board nominations and elections and committee membership.
The Temple Board met on Sunday, December 14. The following is a summary of that meeting.
A financial update was provided by Treasurer Jeff Loebl. A proposal was made to order plaques inscribed with the names of Pillar donors. A general discussion was held regarding the purpose and use of the Rabbi Discretionary Fund.
Plans are underway for the Religious School with a Sunday morning meeting for prospective students and parents planned.
The Annual Meeting will be in March, at which time new Board members will be introduced. In the interim, job descriptions for Board and other Committee memberships are available. Members of the community are invited to contact President Susan deCordova, or any other member of the Board, regarding interest in Board or committee positions.
Upcoming events are the "Golda Meir Night" scheduled for Saturday night, February 28, 2009 (Catherine Dain performance) and the Community Seder scheduled for Saturday, April 11, 2009. A possible Holocaust Survivor lecture with showing of movie "Paperclips" and a Klezmer Concert are also on the events agenda.
Facilities Management update was provided by John Gottesman. It was agreed that a bid for termite treatment will be submitted to the Finance Committee for final approval.
Respectfully submitted,
Margo Haas
Secretary
The Temple Board met on Sunday, February 1, 2009. The following is a summary of that meeting.
The General Board Meeting was held on March 8 with a quorum present.
Discussion regarding Annual Meeting to be held on Thursday, March 12 at 7:00 p.m. at the Temple. State of the Union to be provided by President Susan deCordova with emphasis to recruit community members for leadership and volunteer positions. All members and prospective members are invited to attend.
Motion approved to allow members and others to make periodic contributions to a Rabbi Discretionary Fund to be spent at the discretion of the Rabbi. Eligible expenditures are limited to items that are of direct benefit to the Temple, to the needy in our community and rabbinic education. Annual review by Board to determine that expenditures are made in accordance with policy.
Plans for the April 11 (Saturday) Community Seder are underway. Information to be provided by way of mailed flier and e-mail to community members. Rabbi will be asked to write an article about Passover for the Ojai Valley News.
The Religious School has met and is ongoing with eleven enrolled students separated into two classes. They meet on a bi-weekly basis. Kim Hoj spearheaded the resurgence of the school and is the contact person for religious school activities.
Respectfully submitted,
Margo Milden-Haas
Secretary
The Temple Board met on Sunday, March 8 , 2009. The following is a summary of that meeting.
Annual Meeting, March 12, 2009
The Annual Meeting of K'hilat Ha'Aloneem was held on March 12, 2009. Members of the Temple gathered to hear President Susan deCordova provide a recap of the past year and report on the present status of the Ojai Jewish Temple. Susan reminded the members that last year K'hilat was in a crisis mode. When confronted with the potential loss of the Temple, members of the community provided an outpouring of support bringing the Temple back to a sound financial basis and center of Jewish activity in the Ojai Valley.
It was in no small part due to the efforts of the newly formed Financial Committee, composed of Fred and Ila Rothenberg, Barbara and Tony Hirsch, Alan Greenberg, Jeff Loebl, and Janet Mahon, that the financial situation has substantially improved. An accurate roster of members has been compiled, and new procedures have been put into place in regard to membership payment, including the option to use a credit card for payment of dues. The Pillars Program has been a significant part of the effort to stabilize the financial condition of the Temple and provides a solid financial cushion for the next few years. Fred Rothenberg reminded the members that although financially sound now, the Temple could once again fall into financial difficulty within a few years without increasing membership and continuing support of the Pillars Program.
Rabbi Yossi Carron has been hired as K'hilat's new Rabbi. Rabbi Yossi comes to Ojai on the first and third weekend of the month to conduct Shabbat Services (Friday night and Saturday morning) as well as Torah study on Saturday morning. On the third weekend, members enjoy pot luck dinners with the Rabbi on Friday at 5:15 p.m. with services at 6:00 p.m.. He is also available for life cycle events, as well as for spiritual counseling to members.
On the weekends when the Rabbi is not present, a Community Friday Night Service is held. On Saturday, Louis Grace leads both the Morning Service and Torah Study. All members are invited to attend.
The Temple Religious School, after a brief hiatus, has returned with eleven children enrolled in the bi-weekly program. Gil and Revital Ramot are teaching the students, with the supervision of the School under Kim Hoj.
The term of the current Board of Directors is ending with a new Board to be voted in by June. Susan deCordova will be stepping down as President, and as of the date of the Annual Meeting no successor has been nominated. An organizational chart setting forth the various Board positions, committee memberships and need for volunteer positions was presented. Any member interested in looking at the chart and volunteering for a position should contact a Board member or President Susan deCordova.
Discussion was held among the members present regarding the compilation of a membership list to be distributed to all members. Further discussion was held regarding fund raising activities and proposed programming including participation in a script program, Jewish food cook-off, and presentation of concerts and lectures.
A phone tree will be established to remind members of upcoming events. Miriam Rosen will be in charge. Additional reminders will continue to be sent to the membership by way of e-mail, through the K'hilat website and by mail.
The 10th Year Anniversary of K'hilat Ha'Aloneem moving "across the street" to 530 West El Roblar Road is this year. The Temple may host a Klezmer Concert to celebrate the anniversary. .
The annual community Seder will be held at Soule Park on Saturday, April 11. Information will be sent to members and advertised to the general community. Anyone interested in donating items to the Seder or helping in preparation should contact Sheila Cohn.
The meeting was adjourned with a "thank you" to Susan deCordova for all her hard work and leadership as President.
Respectfully submitted,
Margo Milden-Haas
Secretary
Board Meeting, April 5, 2009.
The Passover Seder will be held on April 11 at Soule Park with an anticipated "full house" expected. Approximately 90 reservations have been received to date. Sheila Cohn is in charge of the Seder arrangements and community members are responding with donations and offers to help.
A special Friday Night Service is scheduled for April 24 in observance of Yom Hashoah. Mr. Bernd Simon, a Holocaust Survivor, will be a guest of the Temple and speak regarding his experiences during World War II. Mr. Simon escaped from Dachau and eventually became a soldier in the World War II Intelligence Service for the United States Armed Forces. He was assigned as a radio interceptor/monitor to a B-24 Bomb Group in Southern Italy, spying on and decoding Nazi "Luftwaffe" secret radio signals.
In celebration of the Tenth Anniversary of K'hilat's move "across the street" to 530 West El Roblar, a Klezmer Concert is being scheduled for October 10. Sheila Cohn will be forming a committee to plan the event.
A special thank you was extended to Pearl and Ted Malos for their efforts in continuing the successful movie night and their graciousness and hospitality in welcoming audience members. The next movie night will be in May and featuring an Israeli Movie: "Someone to Run With" (Mishehuh Larutz Ito - 2006). Additional thanks were given to Susan deCordova who has donated a television set for use by the Sunday School for instructional DVDs.
A general discussion was held regarding the appointment of a new President and Treasurer to the 2009-2011 Board . A search for candidates for these positions continues.
Respectfully submitted,
Margo Milden-Haas
Secretary
K'hilat Ha'Aloneem General Board Meeting was held on May 3, 2009 with a quorum present..
A financial update was given by Treasurer Jeff Loebl who confirmed that K'hilat expenses remain within the projected budget, but primarily due to donations made through Pillar contributions. Operating revenue is coming primarily through the Pillar Program and not membership dues. The emphasis in the coming year will be to encourage new donations through the Pillar Program and to increase membership.
A Motion was passed that "All proposed expenditures exceeding $250 shall be reviewed by the Finance Committee in a timely manner prior to final Board consideration. The Committee's recommendation shall be forwarded to the President. The President shall present the proposed expenditure and the Committee's recommendation to the Board, which shall approve or modify the item. In the event that the proposed expenditure cannot wait for any of the required reviews or is under $250, two officers, one of which is the President, shall make the decision regarding the expenditure."
Sheila Cohn was thanked for all her hard work in chairing the Seder. The feedback was positive. A personal letter enclosing a membership application has been written by Sheila to guests who expressed interest in joining K'hilat.
A membership packet needs to be assembled to include K'hilat's Mission Statement, Bylaws, general information about K'hilat and its programs and the membership application. Members who have marketing and/or design skills who can help develop the package are needed..
Jewish Federation grants were discussed. Possible programming includes "Introduction to Judaism Class" to be taught by Rabbi Yossi Carron , and a Klezmer Concert planned for October.
Rick Rosenbloom has resigned as a Board member and Harold Shapiro appointed in his place. Harold is interested in mentoring an Interfaith Group and spearheading a Social Action Group.
Discussion regarding new President and Chief Financial Officer positions. No one has stepped forward to fill either position. New officers must be appointed since Susan deCordova and Jeff Loebl will both be stepping down from their respective positions at the end of their two year term which ends in May/June of this year.
Summer Program activities tabled until next Board meeting which will be held in approximately four weeks.
Respectfully submitted,
Margo Haas
Secretary
K'hilat Ha'Aloneem Board Meeting met at the Temple on May 31, 2009 with a quorum present.
Alan Greenberg presented an update regarding the Pillar Recognition Plaque to be provided to the Temple He is working with Ventura Trophy regarding details.
Financial information provided by Treasurer/Chief Financial Officer Jeff Loebl. Discussion regarding budget analysis and 2009/10 projections discussed. A letter will be sent to congregants regarding donations, with specific reference as to what donations are used for. Verbal appeal will also be made during High Holidays . Further discussion held regarding need for increased membership and continuing support of Pillars Program. Potential future major costs include a new roof and painting. Motion to adopt budget unanimously approval.
David Cohen will work with the Membership Committee and Rabbi regarding membership drive.
Erev Rosh Hashanah is September 18, with daytime services on September 19. On Sunday, September 20, a Taslich/picnic will be held at Lake Casitas. Erev Yom Kippur is September 27 and day time service will be September 28.. Evening services to begin at 7 p.m. and morning services to begin at 10 a.m. Children activities and/or child sitting will be arranged and security retained. Break the Fast will consist of challah and orange juice at the conclusion of Yom Kippur services..
Machzors will be the same that we've used and a link will be provided on the website if congregants want to buy one.
Book of Remembrance to be organized by Bob Birk and Sheila Cohn.
Summer Activities- Effective July 3, Friday night services will be 7 :00 p.m. Shabbat Under the Stars to be held sometime during the summer.
Religious School currently consists of eleven children enrolled with anticipated 16 sessions next year.
Facilities: Termite extermination completed. A walk through of building will be done before High Holidays.
President and Chief Financial Officer positions remain open for the 2009-2011 term and need to be filled.
Respectfully submitted,
Margo Haas
Secretary
The following is an abridged version of the Minutes of the K'hilat Ha'Aloneem Board Meeting held on June 27, 2009.
A financial update was provided by Treasurer Jeff Loebl, and he confirmed the membership rolls have been corrected to reflect active members. K'hilat remains on target in accordance with the projected budget.
Barbara Aaronson continues to supervise High Holiday preparations and ticket and package information has been prepared. An updated letter to the Congregation will be composed with input from Rabbi Yossi Carron , Susan deCordova and John Gottesman. Interest has been expressed for a Saturday morning Rosh Hashanah service for the children with the possibility of one of the Sunday School teachers in charge. The children's service will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and there will be a nominal fee charged per child..
A discussion was held regarding privacy issues relating to the membership list. General consensus among the Board members that members of K'hilat Ha'Aloneem should be advised that their membership information may be provided to other organizations on an as needed basis, but that members should be allowed an opt out if they don't want information shared. Additional discussion as to whether any organization requesting membership information should be requested to share information regarding their security data base.
David Cohen, Sid Cohn and Rabbi Yossi Carron will continue to work on developing a membership program.
The new Board of Directors was discussed. John Gottesman has agreed to be President for next term. Susan deCordova to be Vice-President and Margo Haas to be Secretary. Barbara Aaronson will continue to be in charge of High Holiday programming and will remain on the Board, and additional members of the Board will be David Cohen, Sheila Cohn, Jeff Loebl, Harold Shapiro and Jay Sherman. Search is still underway for Chief Financial Officer (Treasurer).
