ANNUAL MEETING SPEECH-JUNE 05, 2017

Welcome to the ShirTikva restaurant. Thank you all for coming out this evening to hear about your temple’s work and to participate in the governance process. We have much to celebrate and accomplish tonight. However, I am struck by the Torahportion-Nitzavim. This is the portion that we read on Yom Kippur morning. Let me set the scene for you—the Israelites are just about at the end of their journey about to go into the Promised Land and God says to them:

For this commandment, which I command you, this day, is not concealed from you, nor is it far away. It is not in heaven, that you should say, "Who will go up to heaven for us and fetch it for us, to tell [it] to us, so that we can fulfill it?" Nor is it beyond the sea, that you should say, "Who will cross to the other side of the sea for us and fetch it for us, to tell [it] to us, so that we can fulfill it?" Rather,[this] thing is very close to you; it is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can fulfill it.

This is our story this year---what we have accomplished, and what we will accomplishing is now very close to and in our hearts and mouths so that we can fulfill it---not subject to external forces—we control ourpresent and future and both of them are bright.

What I would like to do tonight is first review our progress against the goals that we set for last year, then review all of our accomplishments this year and conclude with our goals for next year.

Our first goal was organizational optimization. Thegovernance task force headed by Roy Lurie was charged with the task of designing a governance structure this is modern, nimble, and functional and embraces the core value of leadership. I am pleased to report that they have accomplished this with great results. You will hear more details from this later tonight from Roy.

As part of our organizational optimization effort, we established an annual fund goal of $460000. Many in the room gasped at the prospect of having to raise this amount of money as part of our operating budget—after all the most that we ever raised was $309000 the previous year. I am pleased to announce that we have successfully changed the culture of our synagogue and this number is in reach. No longer are we operating in a defensive mode by talking about the things we can’t afford—My friends, on the contrary—we now speak to what we need, then we quantify them, and then we make them part of our culture and development effort to accomplish them. And oh by the way, in case you wanted to know—to date we have collected $457000 toward our goal with a month to go. Kudos to Susan Benjamin, Barry Miller and the development committee. And also by the way if anyone would like to give us the $3k tonight to get us to the goal—pleasesee Susan.

Our second goal was to build on the relational model that we heard so much about in our self-studies. In accomplishing this we have by acclimation hired a new rabbi who shares this vision. Our interfaith families received an unprecedented welcome during the high holidays; our young families and children now have a thriving ELC. The Congregational Relationship Committee chaired by Peter and Jill Abend significantly increased their programming including our congregational brunches, Shabbat dinners, and the overseeing of an increased number of affinity events.

Our third goal was to focus and grow our membership efforts. To this end the Board of Trustees approved a membership scenario for the ELC that you will hear more about this evening. Regrettably our membership has shown a slight decrease---but recently we have been seeing an uptick that would indicate that this has plateaued and we are poised for increases for the forthcoming fiscal year.

So now let me share with you the highlights and accomplishments of the year. Our journey started on July 01 with arrival of Rabbi Kohn. Rabbi Kohn immediately set a direction that allowed us to see new opportunities, embrace change, and execute. So here is a listing of some of the highlights:

  • We had our first Shabbat servicesoutside and under the stars in July.
  • Our children were successfully bribed to come to Friday evening services with a bouncy house and ice cream.
  • We installed a new groupof officers with 14 past presidents on the bimah.
  • Rabbi Kohn elevated our Selichot experiencewith the viewing and discussion of the movie Groundhog Day.
  • Out interfaith families were honored at an extremely emotional event during high holiday services. There were tears of joy and an energy level that said we are open for business and we want all of our interfaith members as customers.
  • A crazy president had the congregation singing Alice’s Restaurant--- no the ShirTikva restaurant during the high holidays.
  • We honored our softball team for winning their league championship at a Fridaynight Shabbat.
  • The BOT passed a policy that allowed us to establish our first named restricted fund.
  • We increased security at the ELC and the templeby putting in a coded entry system.
  • We strengthened our relationship with Hebrew College by hiring our rabbinicintern Lev Freidman who has endeared himself to all of us.
  • Our Rabbi search committee under the leadership of Judy Kaye distinguished itself with the CCAR and the reform movement as the gold standard of conducting a search. Oh and by the way, they delivered an awesome Rabbi,DannyBurkemanwho will be here on 7/01.
  • We successfully vetted and acquired MishkanT’filah, the prayer book of the reform movement. How special is it to have access to twoprayer books one of which was home generated and the other which is the standard of our movement. They will both be used regularly during our Friday night Shabbat services.
  • In March we socialized with Tequila and T’filah. We came together to drink, compete for the best guacamole, and encouraged people to sing at an open Mike. Hopefully there a no pictures.
  • We acquired a 100-year-old ark from a congregation in Revere. What a mitzvah this was. The tears in the eyes of the members of CongregationTfirethIsrael at our dedication ceremony were memorable. We even had twocongregants present who were Bar Mitzvahed infront of the ark.
  • The Board of Trustees boldly approved a policy granting complimentary membership to our ELC families—you will hear more about this tonight. This really speaks to who we are regarding making Judaism accessible to all.
  • Our developmentcommittee, led by Susan Benjamin and Barry Miller will deliver against an aggressive goal. But they did not stop there---they artfully crafted a planned givingpolicythat the BOT passed. You will hear more about this tonight.
  • For thoseof you who remember Adam Smith, we have worked with him to ascertain a significant grant that will allow us to elevate and professionalizeour youth director position. He will also be involved in crafting our youth program through the metro west youth initiative.
  • We will be acquiring a second Holocaust Torah through the trust that administers them in the UK.
  • For the second year ina row we will have a balanced budget and perhaps a surplus due to the combined efforts of our finance committee, the development committee, and our administrative staff. We are a financially stable synagogue.
  • We have positioned ourselves with athree-person clergy team for next year with the hiring of Rebecca Weinstein as our rabbinic fellow. For those of you who have met her, I am sure that you agree that we have a star in the making
  • More administrative staff will be added to the office on July 01 and we have internally promoted Toni to member services manager. Congratulations Toni.
  • Our Early Learning Center will enroll 60 children next year—what an accomplishment this is considering that when we took it over from the JCC enrollment was trending to be below 20.

This list could go on much longer, but now I want to talk about nuclear physics. We are all familiar with the atom the basic core of matter. An un-ionized atom is relatively benign just sittingthere waiting to made into a compound. However, when you split an atom, tremendous energy is released. Rabbi Kohn, you have helped split the atom of ShirTikva. You have helped us release the energy that is evident throughout the halls of the synagogue. You have been instrumental in getting us to where we are today. I hope that everyone will come on the Shabbat of June 16 to acknowledge your contributions and wish you and Susan the best as you begin your journey in Alabama.

So now let’s talk about our goals for next year—our 40th anniversary. I have identified 4 goals that I believe will help us continue on our remarkable trajectory.

First, the strategic planning committee will be developing a 5-year plan that will focus on membership, professional staffing, programming, partnerships, and administrative needs. This is natural progression from the new governance model that was formulated this year. Roy along with the strategicplanningcommittee headed by Dick Rossman and formerly Marilyn Newman will develop this planwith two specific missions as guiding principals: the principals are to make TST the center of Jewish life in Metro West, and to make Judaismrelevant to all. These are the melding of a vision that I have previously articulated coupled with the vision that Rabbi Burkman has put out there from the onset of our interactions with him. This mission truly speaks to who we are and who we want to be. This plan will serve a blue print for our efforts as we move forward.

The second goal is the development goal. We will have a fund raising goal this year of $577800 corresponding to the year 5778. No need to gasp at this, as we now know, dues and fees take us just so far in our operating budget. In order to achieve the excellence that we deserve, our culture demands an aggressive development effort. These development dollars will fund the rabbinic fellow, technology and web site enhancements, the ELC, a marketing budget that has not previously existed, continued elevation of our programming, special needs staff for our school, our spirituality initiative and the ongoing efforts to make membership accessible to all regardless of personal financial circumstances. Our 40th year celebration will have many targetedgivingopportunities that will feed our developments efforts.

Our third goal will be a membership re-engagement goal. We will identify the resignations that have occurred over the last two years and reach out to these families in an effort to have them reconnect to TST. This is alreadyhappening---the buzz about us is already out there---previously resigned members are showing up and requesting membership packets, calls are coming into the office—we will reconnect and show everyone the best that TST has to offer.

Our last goals will be the continuation of our relational efforts. Not much needs to be said about this that hasn’t been said in last few minutes. If we executegoals 1-3, this one is a slam-dunk.

So as I reflect back on the words of Nitzavim it is clear that this thing is close to us and in our mouth and our heart so that we can fulfill it—there is no external cosmic force that we need be subject to---we are the masters of our destiny and our destiny is bright. As I said in my last Hinani article this is who we are:

  • We are congregation who does not say “no” to challenges.
  • We are a congregation that will move pro-actively to turn adversity into opportunity.
  • We are now a congregation that is decisive and will move expeditiously to serve our congregants.
  • We are a congregation that provides learning opportunists from early childhood through adult life.
  • We are a congregation that removes all barriers to entry.
  • We are a congregation that says “yes” to meeting our needs and finds the financial resources to do so.
  • We are a congregation that commits to make Judaism relevant to everyone.

So inclosing I sincerely thank the outgoing members of the executive committee: Karen Pelto and Steve Rosenstein. It has been a privilege to serve with you. To the out going board members Laura Brande, Karen Zeff Rosen, Ronnie Schectman, Marcus Cohn, Beth Greenberg, Mitch Corton, Brad Puffer, Bev Klau, Jeff Lappin, Jen Cobe, Joan Lappin, Beth Volk, Liz Vinsant, Karen Langweber, Meredeth Roberts, Joyce Pastor, Bob Koster, Evelyn Neumeyer, Koster, Heather Meterperel, Mary Beth Retger, Joan Blair, Jon Seiber, Dick Rossman, Phil Benjamin, Trudy Sonis, Barry Miller, Mike Cohen, Karen Miller, Carole Bellman,

Jill Abend, Kate Bell, Irene Gruenfeld, and Stefanie Janoff—even though some of you may be staying on a committee chairs-I extend my heartfelt thanks for your board service. To Susan, Toni, Karen, Elizabeth, Mike, and Julio—thank you for putting up with me and my countless phone calls. And of course to Hollis, Sandy, Aviva, Leah, and Doug thank you for all you bring to us.

And so our meeting continues………

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