PRESIDENT'S CORNER
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The Board of Trustees met at the Community Center on Wednesday, April 10.
The Rabbi counted the Omer at the beginning of the meeting. He stated that no simchas are held from Pesach until Lag B’Omer since this is a mourning period commemorating the death of Rabbi Akiva’s students.
Treasurer’s Report: Garry Cohen reviewed the March budget. Areas with higher expenses than anticipated are Kindergarten and repairs & maintenance at the Rabbi’s house and the Community Center. However, teachers’ salaries were less than expected since some were hired late in the year. Overall, income still exceeds expenses, and the budget is still in good shape.
Bingo Report: Marcia presented the March Bingo report, which was quite good, despite the fact that we were closed two evenings for Pesach. Sid Kandel continues to call for new Bingo workers. Please contact Sid if you can help. Marcia announced that Milt Golenberg will be leaving Frederick shortly, and we urgently need a replacement for him. Milt functioned as a Bingo Coordinator and replaced Marcia on two Sundays each month. Please contact Marcia if you can help.
Budget and Finance Committee: The committee will finalize next year’s budget in April and present their recommendations to the Board on May 1st.
House Committee: The electrical work is completed at the Rabbi’s house. A new fence was placed around the dumpster at the Community Center. Installation of a door to the new Resource Room (adjacent to the Library) is in progress. Bruce Zavos has completed a plan for acoustical treatment for the walls in the Social Hall. Bids are being solicited for this work. We had a demonstration of a Kosher Sound System that the Board will consider using on the High Holidays and other events. The Rabbi obtained approval of this system by Rabbi Feldman from Ner Israel. Adam Treiber is negotiating a contract with the manufacturer for the purchase of this system. The Egly Family wishes to donate a ‘chair lift’ to the Synagogue. Carl will investigate the feasibility of installing this unit in the Synagogue.
Long-Range Planning: The architect is reviewing our contract and requested changes for the Master Plan for expansion of the Community Center. The cost of this project has already been approved by the Board.
Board of Education (BOE): Amy Gross reported on several fundraising events that will be held including a few raffles and that a Yard Sale was held in March for the Nursery School. There will be a Used Book Sale on May 5th. Donations of books for readers of all ages are needed. The BOE is interested in making the Library more accessible to students. The Board approved a tuition-reimbursement request for the Kindergarten Teacher.
Religious Affairs: Jeff Rossio conducted services during the ‘First Days’ of Pesach, and The Rabbi and I conducted services during the ‘Last Days’ of Pesach at the Synagogue. The B. Mitzvah season has started.
Youth Committee: Stacee Springer reported that 19 kids and two parents helped to plant 700 trees on the Community Commons near Rosemont Avenue. Stacee is organizing a ‘Recognition Dinner’ for our youth group to be held on May 15th. The Mayor of Frederick will be the guest speaker! The Mitzvah Club is completing their third year. If you would like to serve as an volunteer, please contact Stacee.
Naomi and Carl Lazerow will be honored as “Parents of the Year “ at the upcoming Shoresh fundraiser at the Pearlstone Center. Shoresh begins their 23rd season at Beth Sholom at the end of June.
Library Committee: The Committee will reform due to the resignation of Dave Nathanson. The Board has expressed its thanks to David for his years of service to the Congregation. A volunteer group, Martha Zweig and Norma Kelsey, packed up all of the books in the Resource Room so that renovations can proceed.
Beautification Committee: The Committee is working on a Holocaust Memorial that will feature one of the Kramer Torahs that were rescued from Europe. This display will be in our Sanctuary and would describe the history of this Torah. We need donors to for an additional “Tree of Life” that is being built by Sid Kandel.
Gala: The theme this year’s Gala is the 85th anniversary of Beth Sholom. Plans are progressing nicely and the evening will feature a musical evening featuring Ladino/Flamenco music and dancing. They are also planning to have a Kosher Spanish dinner for this event. The Gala will be held on Saturday evening, November 2, 2002. Please mark your calendars.
Miscellaneous: The Congregational Meeting will be held at 8:00 P.M. on Wednesday evening, May 1st at the Community Center. A letter has been sent to all Congregants regarding the importance of and the agenda for this meeting.
That’s the news from the President’s Corner. See you at the Congregational Meeting next month.