November 11, 2008

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Present: Rabbi Adelson, Elliot Carlin, Peggy Garrison, Bobby Kolin, Fran Kolin, Elaine Lavine, Marcia Muskat, Edna Rosen, Barbara Schildcrout, Jim Theobold. Welcome to Elliot and Jim, and thanks for joining us. Regrets: Helene Spring, Leonard Spring

High Holy Day Feedback
Committee members reported positive experiences. Among the pluses: having so many congregants participating on the bimah; a welcoming and warm feeling, optimal attendance at Break the Fast.

Ushers must be asked to be more proactive in showing later-arriving congregants to seats, both at HUC and at the YK afternoon service at EET.

Some honorees have difficulty or hesitancy, stepping down from the bimah at EET. Next year an usher should be designated to be seated in the EET front row, near the steps, and offer a hand to everyone as they step down, so no one feels singled out for help.

The sequence of the YK services, between ending Yizkor at HUC and then resuming for the afternoon service later at EET, is not a seamless experience. We can give further thought to this issue, but we are challenged by geography and the programming schedule.

Bobby and Fran Kolin suggested that there be an instructional session during the summer on how the EET sukkah is constructed (it is a half-hour task) so that people besides Bobby know how this is done. Those attending Break the Fast who would like to participate in or observe the mitzvah of constructing the sukkah before they head home, would be invited to do so.

The role of the BOT members who sit on the bimah every Friday night was discussed.

There was not a consensus on whether the BOT member should always greet or thank those who light candles or say Kiddush, and, what the most effective way is of presenting the weekly announcements. The rabbi will give this some thought.

It was mentioned that more members might be interested in reading Torah at the HHD and during the rest of the year. The rabbi said that the opportunity is available to any member, see him in advance for advice and scheduling. Elaine will mention this in a future Ritual column.

Fran made the suggestion to give our congregation an annual opportunity to welcome and celebrate the blessings of new children and grandchildren at a service. The rabbi agreed that Erev Sukkot, a time when we celebrate the harvest and “new fruits” could be an apropos time. A group blessing, with parents and grandparents bringing the babies, or photos of babies, could be included in the service.

Elaine and Fran will discuss this further and get it on next year’s calendar. Note: Erev Sukkot in 2009/5770 is Friday evening, October 2.

Documenting the HHD honors process
At the January Ritual meeting, Elaine will present a draft statement describing the goals and process of offering HHD honors. After review, it will be submitted to Karen and to the BOT to become part of the EET record. The process will also be described in a Ritual Templet column in the spring. Fran mentioned that there may have in the past been a statement about HHD honors. (Note: Elaine checked with Sharon, no past document can be found, we’ll proceed with presenting a new version.

This led to a conversation about the HHD not being the only time we can honor our volunteers. A suggestion was made, and the rabbi agreed, that volunteers could be invited to attend a Friday night "Honoring Our Volunteers" service in the spring, in which they could stand to be recognized, thanked, and perhaps receive a blessing. Elaine (for Ritual) and Fran (for Member Services) will look into this.

Mishkan Tefila update
We have received 100 weekday/festival books 200 Shabbat books are on order—hoped for before January 1

The rabbi will develop the process for introducing the book to the congregation at services, offering a dedication service, and teaching about it in a class. Some teaching will be part of Shabbat services for an ongoing period. Elaine will include some information in Ritual’s Templet column.

Bookplates fundraising project—Edna will work with on this. Additional note: Elaine contacted Judith Sussman (Finance VP), who will be general overseer for the fundraising. Elaine will act as a liaison between fundraising plans and Rabbi’s teaching plans, and in consultation with the Rabbi will discuss the new book in the Templet and other media.

Saturdays at EET next year
With b’nei mitzvah taking place next year on more Saturdays than not, a discussion ensued about what we might offer to congregants at EET on Saturdays, and what congregants might be interested in:

Inviting them to attend the morning services; perhaps having more frequent Tot Shabbats and Torah studies, perhaps having late afternoon Havdalah services followed by hors d’oeuvres or dinners. Elaine mentioned that with the building being open, it might be a good time to be encouraging services or programs that might help make EET a destination on Saturdays. The rabbi advised that services and programs should come out of a need or interest from within the congregation, not scheduled merely because the building is open. The activities of the new BEET group were used as examples of a leader (Suellen Eshed) tapping into an interest or common thread that already existed. New or more frequent programs would require both leaders and participants. To be discussed further.

Next meeting is January 27.