An informative update from Facility, Ritual, Administration and Finance Committee members.
The Unification with Temple Beth El was overwhelmingly APPROVED by both congregations, and the Unification Agreement was formally signed this evening at a celebration held between both Congregations. See the pictures.
The final vote count which was tabulated by the Monmouth County Clerk and Deputy Clerk was 82% in favor at Temple Beth Torah, and 71% in favor at Temple Beth El.
I want to thank you for your overwhelming support in this process and I look forward to creating a new era for Conservative Judaism in the Eastern Monmouth County area.
Mike Friedman
President
Watch the May 20th, 2009 Joint Information Session
This is a compilation to date of Unification Committees’ activities. Meetings held during the month of March will be reported next month.
Steering Committee:
TBT - Mike Friedman, Alan Stern, Gary Zimmerman, Mark Haber
TBE - Alan Winters, Maddy Cohen, Jeff Donner, Larry Lorman, Mark Steinberg
March 2009 Update
When mention of a possible unification was raised and several months of discussion between leadership at TBT and TBE had passed, a Steering Committee was formed. The role of this committee was to map out a plan to see if this proposal was in the best interest of the community and how to accomplish it respectfully and effectively. The Steering Committee prepared a presentation which was shown to both congregations at the end of January. As it was mentioned in the presentation, four specialized committees were formed to start working on details. It is now the job of the Steering Committee to oversee the unification process as a whole, resolving issues and answering questions that arise from these specialized committees' meetings. The Steering Committee will hold additional congregational information sessions in April and May.
April 2009 Update
The Steering Committee continues to oversee the unification process. Meetings are spent reviewing the work of all sub-committees and making important decisions. The joint information session on May 3rd will be run by the Steering Committee.
Administration Committee:
TBT - Mike Friedman, Larry Shapiro, Andrea Bazer, Pam Cardullo
TBE - Maddy Cohen, Mark Steinberg, Michelle Winters
March 2009 Update
The Administration Committee wears many hats including dealing with Government/By-Laws, congregation name, non-clergy personnel, operations/procedures, contracts and education. We are fortunate to have three attorneys on this committee who are currently reviewing the constitutions of both synagogues and drafting a new “unified” constitution for approval. One of the first orders of business of the Administration Committee was to create an Education Sub-Committee. It is the role of this committee to discuss scheduling, making a smooth transition for TBE children joining TBT’s school and several other school related issues. Another sub-committee that was created by the Administration Committee is the Communications Sub-Committee. In order to communicate in a “unified” way, an email address will be posted on both congregation’s websites and correspondence. This email will be specifically for member questions regarding the unification and its process. The Communication Sub-Committee will prepare updates for the congregations on a regular basis, monthly in each bulletin and for posting on each website. Please remember that it is essential that all congregants look to these means of communication to get all of the accurate facts about this exciting time and not rely on the local rumor mill.
April 2009 Update
The Administration Committee has drafted a Unification Agreement and is refining same, along with a form of Constitution for the unified congregation. It is anticipated that these documents will be voted on in June as part of the unification vote and that final versions of both documents will be distributed to members of both congregations at least two weeks prior to the vote.
Ritual Committee:
TBT - Alan Stern, Neil Weitzenkorn, Fred Singer
TBE - Jeff Donner, Joel Schulman, Dorothy Secol
March 2009 Update
After visiting each other’s congregations for services, the committee has determined that the Shabbat prayer books and Chumashim are identical. Our Shabbat morning services are very similar and we anticipate no difficulty in constructing a Shabbat morning service that will be comfortable for all. An inventory of all sacred objects including Torah scrolls, plaques and art work is being conducted in both synagogues. The Ritual Committee has formed a Rabbinic Search Committee. We anticipate that this committee will have its first meeting by the beginning of April. Please watch for details on when focus groups will begin which will provide opportunities for congregants’ participation.
April 2009 Update
The Ritual Committee has completed working on the inventory of plaques, sacred objects and artifacts. Any ritual item with family or congregational history would be preserved. The members of the Rabbi Search Committee have been appointed and have held their first meeting. See following notes.
Rabbi Search Committee:
TBT - Peter Gurman, Harvey Shooman, Gidget Friedman, Suzanne Michel, Myron Samuel, Jon Shutman
TBE - Joel Schulman, Dorothy Secol, Matt Tobin, Karen Belfer, Larry Lorman, Leslie Smigler
April 2009 Update
The Rabbi Search Committee met and co-chair Peter Gurman explained the search process, structure and steps of a search. After the vote in June, focus groups would be formed. The purpose of these groups is to bring congregants in to talk about what they want and expect in a Rabbi. Dates would be scheduled for focus groups so congregants can sign up for which ever session they choose.
Finance Committee:
TBT - Gary Zimmerman, Steve Fineberg, Barry Shapiro
TBE - Alan Winters, Ira Kreizman, Gary Weiner
March 2009 Update
The Finance Committee has reviewed the assets and liabilities of each congregation and is in the process of preparing income/expense reports. The committee has begun work on dues structure, school tuition and budget and will make recommendations as to the creation of these fee schedules for the unified congregation.
April 2009 Update
The Finance Committee has reviewed the assets and liabilities of each congregation and is in the process of preparing income/expense reports. The committee is finalizing the recommendations for the dues structure, school tuition and budget and will present these fee schedules to the both congregations.
Facility Committee:
TBT - Mark Haber, Warren Goode, Jeff Nadell
TBE - Larry Lorman, Al Kasson, Alan Krupnick
March 2009 Update
The Facility Committee will objectively evaluate both synagogues to determine if either is adequate to meet the needs of a unified congregation. An independent architect is currently reviewing site plans, and land surveys and inspecting both buildings to determine what type of work would be required. If either building is capable, it has been recommended that some aspect of the façade be altered so that the synagogue has a “new” look.
April 2009 Update
The Facility Committee is presently reviewing both buildings with Frank Tomaino, architect, to determine the functionality of each. Also, an important consideration is the debt of each congregation, the potential sales price and marketability of each building (which is being reviewed) and the amount of money left for use by the unified congregation after sale of one or the other building.
**Correction – The Q&A released in the February TBE Sea Scroll indicating that the B’nai Sholom/Temple Beth El merger agreement will be honored following a unification was premature due to the fact that the Steering Committee has not yet made a determination.**
All of these issues and the status of work of the committees will be further discussed at a joint information session on Sunday, May 3, 2009 at 7:00pm at Temple Beth Torah to which members of both Temple Beth Torah and Temple Beth El are invited and encouraged to attend. It is anticipated by the Steering Committee that while not all of the pertinent questions will have answers, they will be able to more specifically answer many of the questions which have been asked in the past and continue to be raised.
Have questions or comments of your own? Feel free to email our President Michael Friedman at president@bethtorah.com.
Last Updated: March 13, 2009