TEEN PROGRAMS
SCUSY: SONOMA COUNTY UNITED SYNAGOGUE YOUTH
Sonoma County United Synagogue Youth (SCUSY) is a program for our youth ages 14 through 18 sponsored by United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. Congregation Beth Ami’s teens undertake a variety of fundraisers and tzedakah (charity) projects throughout the course of each year and plan and attend monthly social activities. Members of our award-winning chapter have many opportunities to participate in regional, national and international events, which are held in Northern California, across the nation, and elsewhere in the world. USY is a wonderful way for teens to connect with other Jewish teens and to enhance leadership and Judaic skills. We hope that you will give USY a try by stopping by. See you there! Visit the SCUSY website and www.usy.org!
USY is open to ALL youth in Sonoma County! This includes Kadima (6-7th graders), USY (9-12th graders).
Question: Teens? Answer: USY!
Are your teens bored with nothing to do? Join Sonoma County USY for fun Jewish events from your computer!
Nov. 15—Group Yoga
Dec. 13—Hanukkah Party
Contact Jeremy Lipsin at jeremyscusy@gmail.com or Pasha Toub at newfromemkad@gmail.com for more information.Jeremy LipsinSCUSY Advisor707-843-1304
CHAVERIM TEEN PROGRAM
Chaverim is an exciting program for the Jewish teens of Sonoma County.It provides an outlet for 8th through 12th graders in the community. It is a unique opportunity for Jewish teenagers to get together for social and educational events that inspire involvement in Jewish life.
Chaverim continues to serve teens entering 8th grade through 12th from all five Sonoma County synagogues and the Jewish community at large. Our program provides a unique venue that inspires involvement in Jewish life. Students meet by grade level for weeknight dinner discussions, and are also encouraged to participate in other Jewish teen activities here and in the Bay area. Meetings provide the opportunity to experience social interaction and engaging discussions dealing with relevant emerging young adult issues as well as ethical topics – all through a Jewish lens.
Whether you can make all the sessions or just a few, membership in this program sets the stage to make a place for Judaism in your current life and in the future.
As one parent of a student recently said “We appreciate our kid’s sports and extracurricular activities. But really, most of them will only spend a few years in their young lives being in soccer or baseball or dancing or whatever it is that occupies their thoughts at the moment. They will spend their lives being Jewish, so let’s help them make Jewish engagement in life a habit.”
Newcomers are always welcome regardless of prior Jewish knowledge or experience.
Need more information?
Call Rick at (707) 477-9196 rick@jccsoco.org or (707) 823-3916
Rick Concoff, Director of Youth and Teen Programs
Rick Concoff, M.A., has been an educator and mentor for children of all ages including grade school, pre-teen and teen for over 35 years.
To be a member of Chaverim you do not have to be affiliated with a synagogue, you just need to be Jewish.
The birth of this program was inspired by Congregation Beth Ami’s long-respected Kehillah program and Congregation Shomrei Torah’s successful Tzaddikim program. The best of both programs have been brought together in a new format, bringing meaning and Jewish continuity to post B’nai Mitzvah students.
The program is overseen by Congregation Beth Ami’s Rabbi Mordecai Miller and Congregation Shomrei Torah’s Rabbi Stephanie Kramer, and is supported by a parent-led Advisory Committee.
CHAVERIM IS A BENEFICIARY OF THE JEWISH COMMUNITY FEDERATION OF SAN FRANCISCO, THE PENINSULA, MARIN AND SONOMA COUNTIES.
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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