Beth Shalom

January 2008 is the midpoint of Beth Shalom's operational year. It is appropriate that we review where we are from both a financial and operational viewpoint and look at what activities are in process. One easy way to sum up our status is this - "Good things are happening in Beth Shalom."

Financial

Our financial indicators are strong. As of Nov. 20, year-to-date (YTD) Act/Annual Budget on income is 57% and 38%. We have fully funded the informational technology (IT) project and partially funded the childcare expenses. Other projects are pending a final tally of the Fall Fling, but as of now the preliminary results indicate that many, if not all, of our remaining initial projects will be funded. As our top eight fundraising projects are funded, new projects will be added to our priority list from the many that were submitted. Our finance committee meets monthly to carefully monitor our revenue and expense categories. Members of the finance committee are in the process of developing a complete financial practices and procedures guide and expanding this work to our other standing committees with their assistance.

Administration

Debbi Witorsch is now our administrative support person. She brings a wealth of Jewish and professional experience to the position. She will be working closely with Rabbi Edery to give him the support he needs to deal with our rapidly growing congregation and its spiritual and operational needs. She will be able to help you when you call with questions or requests.

Community

Our membership committee (Ed Levy and Wendy Moryoussef) has done an outstanding job reaching out to both established residents and new arrivals to Wake County. By the time you read this article we should be close to or past the 200 member level. Is this good? It is great. Last year our strategic plan set an objective of between 225-35 members within three years. One thought to keep in mind: As we continue to rapidly grow, we need everyone to contribute whatever time and effort they have available to volunteer. This will keep our committees and support organizations strong so as to provide the service levels we need. Beth Shalom has had several outreaches to the community. We participated in Lazy Daze and had an open house at the temple that was advertised in many local newspapers. Community outreach is also part of the Strategic Plan. Arlene Silberman has organized a group that calls each new member family and goes out to their homes with a gift from the temple (candles, challah, cookbook and a temple membership directory). Ed Levy is welcoming each new family in the newsletter.

Study

Study has been very active on many fronts. Congregational Childcare is now being offered the second and fourth Fridays of the month. The Education Committee is currently in the planning stages for the second annual Beth Shalom Shabbaton. This year's Shabbaton will be held at the Don Lee Center in Arapahoe, North Carolina. If you are interested in being part of the planning process, please call Beth Nathison. Our school has been driving to improve itself. The school has instituted a new curriculum and teaching approach. Enrollment continues to be very strong. The Education Committee has been conducting formal teacher observations over the months of November and December and will be meeting with all teachers to discuss the results of these observations. All teachers will be asked to set goals for the spring semester and will be measured on their progress toward these goals.

Ritual

The Ritual Committee has been working closely with Rabbi Edery to bring his new siddur to the congregation. The draft will undergo a full review and will be ready for printing by February or March 2008. The new siddur will bring a greater level of meaning, depth and understanding to our Friday night services. In the fall of 2008 we will be having our first temple trip to Israel. For 11 days, members will have the unique opportunity to experience this spiritual adventure with Rabbi Edery as one of our guides. We are anticipating at least 20 people participating and returning with a life changing connection to Israel, Judaism and each other. We hope to make this a new ritual for our temple.

Starting in January 2008, Beth Shalom will again start calling members for aliyot at Friday night services. This will be a ritual of great honor, and to help congregants prepare to participate in this capacity, an online tutorial will be made available.

House

We have redone our facilities layout to be more efficient and to better utilize our space. The administrative offices have been moved downstairs to allow better coordination and support for Rabbi Edery. Our school director now has her own private office with quite a bit more space. Lastly, we now have a closed conference room in which committees can meet (relatively) uninterrupted.

House committees have been looking at ways to minimize costs throughout the facility. Through more efficient utilization of volunteers and paid employees and reducing duplication of efforts, dollars will be saved that will assist our growth program. Some of these efforts are already in place, while others are scheduled to be instituted in the next six months. A total assessment of the security of Beth Shalom has been completed. The security committee is now in the process of evaluating each aspect of the assessment.

Building Expansion Committee

A special committee was put in place to assess what our growth potential is and to put together an overall plan to implement their recommendations. They have already done quite a bit of work in preparing for the site assessment study currently in place. Beth Shalom has entered into a contract with Withers & Ravenal to do an assessment as to the expansion capability we have on our own property. By the first quarter of 2008 we should be able to fill you in on the results of that study.

Conclusion

Our congregation is rapidly moving forward in many different areas. School, ritual and programming are evolving. More children need religious education, more people are being drawn in to services and social/educational programs are being added. Rabbi Edery is a source of wisdom and strength for all of us. It is the job of all of us to keep us moving forward, sharing ideas and getting involved

Thank you,

Jerry Lustig