Religious School
Religious School: Beit Sefer
Parents of Beth Ami have organized a new religious school, or Beit Sefer.
If you are interested in tutors, either in general or for child or adult Bar Mitzvah, please contact the Beth Ami office; we are proud of our recent Bnei Mitzvah who have been tutored by our members and have inspired the congregation.
Beit Sefer plans and goals
We are excited to rebuild our Beit Sefer and Jewish Education program for our community. Over the past few weeks, we have been meeting to identify our goals, and establish an outline of our curriculum, timeline and activities for the coming year.
Here are our most current ideas, with the hopes that you will want to participate.
Our goal is to create a program that becomes a welcoming, interactive community that will elevate our children’s Jewish learning and strengthen their Jewish identity.
Our Beit Sefer program will formally begin after the High Holidays.
What will Beit Sefer include?
Our goal for the program includes integrating Jewish learning with Tzedakah/Tikkun Olam and community family gatherings. A typical month would include a different activity each week.
* Bi-weekly Shabbat morning Bet Sefer group sessions from 10am-11:30am at Beth Ami
* A monthly Friday night family Shabbat dinner
* A family oriented Tzedakah project on a Sunday
There is an optional weekly Alef-Bet and prayer learning session in small groups.
*Information on the Alef-Bet and Prayer Learning option*
There is the possibility of an additional class that would be either in person or on-line and would focus on alef-bet and prayer learning during the week. If you are interested in participating in this option, please let us know what days work best for you, and if you prefer in-person or virtual.
We are all very excited to get started and hope to see you at Beth Ami.
B’shalom,
Barbara McGee, David Joseph, Jenny Beck and Rabbi Miller
Contact Us
Want to learn more about Congregation Beth Ami?
A brief description of the committees and their roles follows:
Religious Practices
In conjunction with the Rabbi, determines the schedule and other details pertaining to the religious services and practices at Beth Ami. Encourage and develop higher levels of participation and skill in all matters of religious observance at the synagogue and in the home. Assists the Rabbi in implementing decisions of halacha and liturgy. Function of Religious Practices Committee
Chair Lee Feinstein
Sub Committee: Cemetery Committee
Supervises arrangements for members needs.
Subcommittee: Kitchen Committee
Encourages the use of the synagogue kitchen by and for congregants. Ensures that all users of the committee are familiar with synagogue policies regarding Kashrut, safety, hygiene and security. Seeks to establish a vibrant culinary community and provide rich and varied feasts for onegs, Kiddush luncheons, and other synagogue events.
Youth and Education
Creates and implements new classes and programs that encourage participation in Jewish learning.. Develops the schedules, engages the instructors, produces the publicity, and assumes all responsibility for the creation of new programs. Advises the Board and Staff on matters of program generation and execution.
Subcommittee: Nursery School
Works with the Nursery School director to develop, implement, and support school programs and activities.
Subcommittee: Religious School
Works with the Religious School Director to develop and support Religious School programs and activities
Subcommittee: Youth Activities Committee
Works with Youth Advisors to support youth programs and activities
Subcommittee: Adult Education
Works with Rabbi and staff to develop ongoing study courses, lectures and guest speakers
Membership
Welcomes new members to the synagogue, and acquaints them with various aspects of synagogue programs. Encourages unaffiliated Jews to consider joining the synagogue. Seeks out inactive members to renew their interest and participation in synagogue life. Interviews members who have recently left the synagogue, and discusses their comments with the Board. Advises the Board on policies that may impact the attraction and retention of members.
Subcommittee: Welcoming Committee
May supplement the Board as greeters at Shabbat services. May provide a table with information for visitors to our synagogue. Assures that visitors are noticed, introduced, and made to feel at home. Follows up, where possible, with visitors.
Subcommittee: Chavurah
Actively engages congregants (who wish to be included) in existing Chaverot, and creates new Chaverot as members request. Communicates guidelines for choosing a Chavurah. Reviews existing guidelines for membership and programming, and makes suggestions as appropriate.
Subcommittee: Chesed Committee
Supervises the well being synagogue members in times of need and difficulty. May visit the sick, visit the physically and socially challenged, and may assist and comfort in times of bereavement, family illness, or other need.
Budget and Finance
Oversees and reports on the fiscal health of the congregation. The Committee reviews the monthly balance sheets, profit and loss statement and the department detail reports, reviews the draft budget compiled and prepared by Executive Director and makes recommendations to the board. The budget and finance committee also works with the bookkeeper and CBA office staff on maintaining proper accounting procedure.
Capital Campaign
Organizes fundraising for capital improvements and their associated finances.
Fund Raising, Development, and Special Events
Responsible for organizing and coordinating activities to generate revenue for operation and endowment, consistent with the values of the synagogue. Supervises the Gift Shop
Fundraising and Special Events Committee
Plans and organizes special events designed for community building and fundraising.
Subcommittee: Gift Shop
Stocks and supervises the gift shop.
Israel Affairs Committee
The Israel Affairs Committee has a CLEAR mission to:
Communicate with the community regarding Israel-related and Masorti issues,
Learn more about current affairs related to Israel, including the Masorti movement,
Educate the community about Israel, including the Masorti movement,
Act positively to provide a love of the Jewish State and
React in response to political anti-Semitism.
Building and Grounds
Responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of synagogue-owned buildings and grounds, Advises the Board on matters of insurance coverage, renovations, repairs, possible economies in utility usage, and long term capital improvements. Supervises renovations and construction projects.
Subcommittee : Aesthetics and Décor
Supervises the décor of the synagogue.
Subcommittee : Security
Supervises security issues for the synagogue.
Social Action
Develops programs to further the commitment to the entire extended Jewish Community, and to Israel. Organizes social and political action consistent with our Jewish values. Develops positive relations with the general community
Personnel Committee
Establishes policies for employment at CBA: provides leadership in hiring and terminating employees, including Rabbi and Executive Director; establishes vehicles and timetables for annual reviews of all employees; creates and updates employee handbook.
Leadership Development/ Board Operations
Develops and administers training programs for synagogue leadership roles. Supervises Board Trainings for new Board members. Monitors compliance with current By-Laws, and recommends By-Laws changes when appropriate. Functions as the parliamentarian at Board meetings. Acts as the Nominating Committee for elections.
Communications Committee
Supervises the synagogue web page. Makes suggestions for web page changes, and supervises their implementation. Develops, as appropriate, suggestions for on line resources and on line learning. Supervises the Cyber Shul and the Shofar. Assists other committees and organizers in carrying out their publicity for CBA events, both to the Sonoma County Jewish Community, and the General Community.
Subcommittee: Web guru
Library Committee
Oversees the operation of the library. Encourages appropriate use of the library. Supervises the use of library supplies and materials, including computer and on-line sources. Supervises the recruiting and training of volunteer staff. Advises the Board on all issues relating to the library
Friedman Center
Friedman Center Board Chair: Bill Friedman
Guides and Checklists for Organizing Events
To help events or programs run smoothly, the office now has a Program and Event Planning Guide.
CBA Program and Event Planning Guide
CBA Publicity Guidelines
CBA Cleanup Guidelines
CBA Equipment Use Guidelines
CBA set-up form
Guidelines for using the kitchen