Committees

Adult Education: Sources new guest speakers on topics current to the Jewish calendar, social issues, or the intellectual climate. Coordinates Shabbat scholars in residence and weeknight co-ed learning. Chairs: Abigail Hepner Gross, Aliza Katz

Building/House:  Ensures the building is maintained and repaired, and that new equipment is ordered when necessary. Chairs: Joseph Feldman

Catering: Ensures that catering and event policies meet the community’s needs for having smachot at Kesher. Chair: Jeremy Kaufthal

CSS: Provides lay-led protection of the building and members on Shabbat and holidays. 

Decorum: Maintains respectful atmosphere during services and speeches. Chair: Amanda Eis

Directory: Produces an annual book of profile information and photos of our growing membership. Chairs: Jordana Merkin, Rich Solomon

Eruv: Verifies eruv is functional weekly. Chair: Oren Adler

Finance: Offers financial oversight, budgeting, financial planning, reporting, and strategic fundraising. Chair: Amir Richulski, Dave Brickman

Hachnasat Orchim: Coordinates annual Shabbat lunch hosted in members’ homes to afford opportunities for members to socialize and connect in informal settings. Chairs: Rebecca Tobin, Efrat Orgel, Susie Smedresman

High Holidays: Works alongside Rabbi Block, Ruth, and the gabbaim to prepare the building and logistics for a meaningful and spiritual High Holidays experience. Chair: Noam Ohring

High Holidays Youth Programming: Plans and organizes youth groups specifically for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Chairs:  Batya Nadler, Anat Chemerinski

Kayama: Organizes social events primarily for women, as well as a book club and Shabbat mevarchim lectures. Chairs: Batya Nadler, Kaylie Scheinman

Kiddush: Assists in set up of Shabbat morning Kiddush. Chair: Michelle Elias

Mishloach Manot: Coordinates the annual Purim fundraiser. Chairs: Michelle Sohn, Amber Harris

New Member/Prospective Member: Sends a welcome basket to new families, collects information for a new member profile email, organizes the new member event, and connects new families with other member families. Chairs: Sharon Rosen, Jill Berkin

New Parent Meals: Coordinates meals for up to 2 weeks for families welcoming a new baby. Chairs: Eileen Hod, Amanda Eis

Religious Affairs: Tasked with continually assessing the religious direction of the shul and the day-to-day operations relating to services and holidays. Chair: Ilana Cutler

Shiva/Bereavement: Responds to the needs of members in the event of the passing of an immediate family member, setting up a shiva space, coordinating meals or other chesed for the bereaved. Chairs: Batya Nadler, Nealy Erber

Social Action/Israel Action: Organizes food, clothing, and blood drives and other initiatives and partners with other organizations to raise funds or resources for those in need. Partners with Israeli organizations to show our support in meaningful ways, especially post October 7^th. Chairs: Ariella Levy, Leslie Teicher

Social Events: Coordinates one-time events, such as Friday night dinners, a winter event, a spring event, and the Labor Day BBQ. Chairs: Sasha Savitsky, Alyx Rimberg

Spirituality: Responds to the interests of members to find deeper spiritual fulfillment through prayer, song, and meditation. Chairs: Ariella Levy, Aaron Levine

Yoetzet Halacha: Liaises with our Yoetzet Halacha, Nechama Price. Chair: Miri Lipsky

Youth: Oversees the work of the youth directors as they coordinate Shabbat curriculum and special events. Chairs: Estee Friedman, Tammy Rotati

Youth Groups Inclusion: Oversees a shadow program so children with varied social, emotional, and behavioral needs can participate in Shabbat groups and other youth programming. Chair: Deena Kestenbaum