put your mouse over the word "Committees"
in the box above to select a committee

The Committees of Congregation Beth Israel were formed to help carry out the duties and tasks of the officers and professional staff of the Congregation. The committees are designed to assist in specific areas and encourage broad participation of the members of the Congregation.

Congregation Beth Israel welcomes ideas for additional committees, but each new suggestion needs to be reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors. The officers from each committee may create sub-committees or ad-hoc committees for specific functions or activities to improve the efficiency of specific committee events.

• Adult Education Committee
  The Adult Education Committee is responsible for planning and executing all aspects of educational programming for the adult members of the Congregation including guest lecturers, scholar-in-residence weekends and classes. The Committee shall consist of the Vice President of Education as the Chairperson, the Rabbi, and at least two members at large in good standing.
  
• Endowment and Investment Committee
  The Endowment and Investment Committee has a fiduciary responsibility for all endowment funds. The committee will also develop and coordinate all programs designed to meet the Congregation's long-term endowment fund objectives. It will ensure that those funds are invested for both short-term and long-term benefit to the Congregation. The committee shall operate in accordance with the Committee's bylaws and conditions stipulated in writing by the respective donors.
  
  The Committee shall be constructed in accordance with its bylaws with the Chairperson appointed by the President.
  
• Early Childhood Committee
  The Early Childhood Committee is responsible for ensuring that the youngest members of the Congregation, children from birth through third grade, are aware of their Jewish heritage and culture. The committee will promote and oversee Tot Shabbat services, and plan holiday programming throughout the year. The Committee shall consist of a Chairperson appointed by the President, the Vice President of Member Services and at least one additional member at large in good standing.
  
• Facilities Management Committee
  The Facilities Management Committee is responsible for recommending policy, establishing facilities budgets, and monitoring and reporting on all matters that relate to the safe and secure operations of all real property and facilities of the Congregation.
  
  The Committee shall establish policies and practices for the use of Congregation facilities by members, auxiliaries and outside parties. The committee shall also recommend policies for the acceptance of non-monetary gifts to the Congregation. The final acceptance and placement of all non-monetary gifts are to be coordinated with the Executive Committee.
  
  The Committee is also responsible for establishing crisis management and response procedures.
  
  The Committee shall consist of a Chairperson appointed by the President, the Executive Director or other appropriate professional staff person, and a minimum of five additional at-large members in good standing.—back to the top
  
• Finance Committee
  The Finance Committee will prepare the annual operating and long-range budgets for the operation of the Congregation to ensure its financial health and stability. The Committee is responsible for establishing dues assessments for the member categories approved by the Board. It will monitor progress and make recommendations to ensure financial targets are achieved. The Committee shall consist of the Vice President of Finance as the Chairperson, the Treasurer, Executive Director or other appropriate staff person, and a minimum of four additional at-large members in good standing with business and/or accounting experience.
  
• Hebrew School Committee
  The Hebrew School Committee will be responsible for ensuring that the Hebrew School’s curricula meet the congregation’s standards. The committee shall be responsible for reviewing the budget, as submitted by the Principal, and conducting schoolteacher performance evaluations. In addition, the Committee shall run activities for the Hebrew School community including fundraising and holiday programming. The Committee shall consist of the Vice President of Education as the Chairperson, the Rabbi, and at least four members at large in good standing, two of whom shall be parents of Hebrew School students.—back to the top
  
• Human Resources Committee
  The Human Resources Committee is responsible for establishing personnel policies for the Congregation. The Committee shall prepare and administer performance evaluations of all professional staff at least annually. In addition, the Committee shall review all other performance evaluations or disciplinary actions to insure they are fair and equitable. The Committee shall consist of a Chairperson, appointed by the President, a representative of the Finance Committee, and a minimum of two at-large members in good standing.
  
• Long Range Planning Committee
  The Long-Range Planning Committee shall identify issues facing the Congregation during the next three to five years, and prepare a strategic plan for use by the Congregation to address these issues. The committee will review the plan annually. This Committee shall consist of a Chairperson appointed by the President, the Rabbi, the Executive Director or other appropriate staff person, and a minimum of three additional at-large members in good standing.—back to the top
  
• Marketing and Communication Committee
  The Marketing and Communication Committee will ensure that the Congregation and the Worcester community are aware of the activities at the Congregation. It will also ensure that materials are available that describes the Congregation, that all communications are of a quality that reflect well on the Congregation, and will assist the Membership Committee in developing methods to contact and attract prospective members. The Committee shall consist of a Chairperson, appointed by the President, a member of the Membership Committee, the Editor of the Congregation's news bulletin, the Rabbi, the Executive Director or other appropriate staff person, and a minimum of five additional at-large members in good standing with marketing or relevant business experience.
  
• Membership Committee
  The Membership Committee shall provide programs and mechanisms to increase the membership of the Congregation and meet the needs of the existing Congregation membership. The Committee shall consist of a Chairperson, appointed by the President, the Executive Director or other appropriate staff person, and a minimum of five additional at-large members in good standing.—back to the top
  
• Operations
  It shall be the policy of this Congregation to operate through active working committees, and to elicit the conscientious participation in Committee activities by the members of the Board. The Chairperson of each committee shall insure that minutes of all committee meetings are prepared and submitted to the Secretary of the Congregation within fifteen (15) days following approval of the committee. The Chairperson of each committee shall submit to the Executive Committee a summary report of the work of the committee at least annually. As directed by the President or the Chairperson of the Board, Committee Chairpersons may be required to present a report of their work to the Board of Directors.
  
• Ritual Committee
  The Ritual Committee shall set guidelines for all religious services and functions within the Halachic standards of Conservative Judaism. This Committee shall also provide a forum for discussion and resolution of any issues that arise concerning religious practice and decorum at the synagogue. The Committee shall consist of a Chairperson, appointed by the President, the Rabbi, the Cantor, and a minimum of four additional at-large members in good standing knowledgeable about Halacha.
  —back to the top
  
• Seating Committee
  The Seating Committee is responsible for assigning and allotting seats for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services only to members in good standing. This Committee shall be the final authority in determining seat assignment and distribution. The Committee shall consist of a Chairperson, appointed by the President, Executive Director or other appropriate staff person, and a minimum of two members of the Board.
  
• Social Action Committee
  The Social Action Committee shall engage the Congregation in community events. Programs selected for participation must be consistent with the values of the Congregation. The Committee shall consist of a Chairperson, appointed by the President, the Rabbi, and a minimum of three additional at-large members in good standing.  Michelle Cochran, Social Action Chair
  —back to the top
  
• Ways and Means Committee
  The Ways and Means Committee shall generate and oversee the implementation of all programs and fund raising events in support of operational requirements. The Committee shall consist of a Chairperson, appointed by the President, a member of the Finance Committee, the Executive Director or other appropriate staff person, and a minimum of three additional at-large members in good standing.
  
• Youth Activities Committee
  The Youth Activities Committee is responsible for the pre-USY, Kadimah, USY, and post-USY programs. The Committee will be the liaison between the Congregation and the youth groups to ensure that all activities are in keeping with the goals and objectives of the Congregation and United Synagogue Youth. The Committee shall consist of a Chairperson appointed by the President, all youth group advisors, the Youth Director or other appropriate staff person, the Rabbi, youth group president(s), a minimum of six additional at-large members in good standing selected from parents of youth participating in the program, and two additional at-large members from the Board.
  —back to the top