Kesher Israel Board Minutes

December 16, 2013

Attendees: Rabbi Freundel, Elanit Jakabovics, Mark Isakowitz, Judah Rose, Debbie Cooper, Stephanie Vidikan, David Plotinsky, Bracha Reznik, Jacob Lesch, Mordechai Lebenberg, Andrew Mener, Diana Schemo, , Mark Mellman, Jessica Pelt

Elanit called the meeting to order at approximately 8:07pm.

Dvar Torah (Rabbi Freundel)

 At the beginning of December, we add “v’tayn tal u‐matar livracha” to davening, and the Rabbi shared that by adding these three words to davening, we also add a hint of spring in the darkness of winter.  Since the meeting occurred on the Rabbi’s birthday, the board wished him a very Happy Birthday.

Approval of New Members

 There were no new applications to review. Elanit mentioned that there had recently been a few member reinstatements, where previous members had returned to the shul.

Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting

 The minutes from the previous board meeting were approved by a voice vote.

Financial Update

 Elanit noted that we have received an uptick in donations for Kiddush, specifically towards a hashkama kiddush fund and a seuda shlishit fund to help defray costs of non‐sponsored kiddushes. Elanit asked the board to continue to encourage people to donate to help defray costs of Kiddush, especially for those which go unsponsored. The Rabbi echoed that sponsorship makes a big difference in making Kiddush and Seudah Shlishit a nice experience for the community.  Disbursements: The November budget shows a larger amount of expenses under the Kiddush‐ Main budget line. This is because money was borrowed from the Main Kiddush fund account in June to help pay for end‐of‐fiscal year expenses. That money was returned from the Operating Fund to the Main Kiddush in November.

Report from the Rabbi

 The Rabbi reported that Eli’s Restaurant is staying in downtown DC. Also, the GW Hillel is looking for a vendor to operate a restaurant in its space, and a dairy restaurant is looking for a location in DC. The Rabbi encouraged anyone with leads to contact him.  In January, the Rabbi would like to invite 16 students from YU to spend Shabbat at Kesher, and asked if the community could host them. A number of board members volunteered to host so the Rabbi said he would proceed with inviting them.  The Rabbi also mentioned that he has invited several students from Towson University to Kesher to experience the community here.  Finally, the Rabbi expressed concern regarding an upcoming bill that has been proposed to the DC City Council. The bill attempts to address the issue of agunah and Kesher has been asked by the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) to support it. However, the bill presents the halakhic concern of a coerced get. The Rabbi reported that the Vaad of Greater Washington has also expressed concerns about the impact of this bill and that as of the time of this meeting, no well known halakhic authority with an expertise in Gittin has endorsed the bill. The JCRC has reported that there is not a consensus in the DC Orthodox community yet on the bill. The board entered into the following discussion: o It was noted that the bill is only being introduced at the DC City Council tomorrow and no immediate action will be taken. o The Rabbi shared that while he and the Vaad cannot endorse the bill as it currently stands, they will work to help correct the halakhic concerns presented in the bill, since taking measures to address the agunah issue is of the utmost importance. o The board stated that it is favor of finding halakhically permissible ways to address the agunah issue and that as it currently stands, the proposed bill presents a halakhic concern that could have serious consequences. o In anticipation of potential press coverage of the bill, the board suggested developing a press plan and talking points to ensure everyone was on the same page. The board decided that all media inquiries should be directed to Rabbi Freundel, but if pressed, board members would express the following: . Kesher Israel and the Board have been actively engaged in and support efforts to resolve the agunah issue. . There is a need to obtain consensus on whether this bill would in fact achieve its desired objective, in a manner consistent with both Jewish and civil law. . We believe the bill is a well‐intentioned effort but is premature in that the issue is complex both as a matter of Jewish and civil law and requires careful analysis to ensure there are no unintended consequences. In addition, various authorities and stakeholders need to be consulted by the bill's supporters and to the best of our knowledge that coordination has not yet occurred. o In terms of next steps, the Rabbi will keep the board informed of updates regarding the bill.

Repair Project Update (Mordechai)

 The contractor is doing a final run‐through to complete the repairs for the kelim mikvah. Elanit mentioned she would like it drained before spring.  Letters will be sent out to those members who have not yet contributed anything to the Capital Campaign.  On Thursday, there will be a walk‐through with the contractor regarding completion for Phase 1. Elanit and Mordechai will be putting together a visual representation to illustrate the work done in Phase 1 and to thank donors.  Phase 2 will begin soon; a priority list will be presented soon to the board.  Action Item: o Present Phase 2 priority list to the board.

Re‐joining the OU

 Due to time concerns, Elanit moved this agenda item to next month’s meeting.  Action Item: o Discuss re‐joining the Orthodox Union in January’s board meeting.

Kesher’s New Executive Director

 The board welcomed Jessica Pelt, Kesher’s new Executive Director. Jessica and her husband plan to spend a Shabbat in DC in January to meet the larger community.

Discussion of Sale of Cemetery Land

 In a previous meeting, the Trustees shared their thoughts with the board on what their proposed course of action was regarding the land at the Southern Avenue cemetery. They proposed the possibility of selling the land to a non‐Jewish organization, and Elanit wanted to give the board the opportunity to discuss this.  The Rabbi shared that there would be no halakhic impediment to sell land where there are no graves as long as a fence is constructed.  The board discussed this at length. One point raised was how current members who have family members buried there may feel about this option. Several board members said they would talk to these members to understand their feelings, and encouraged the trustees to be sensitive to the feelings of the elderly members of the shul regarding this issue.  The following resolution was put forth: The Board supports the Kesher Trustees in their decision to explore the option to sell a portion of the Southern Avenue cemetery land to Jewish or non‐ Jewish organizations. The resolution was approved by a voice vote.

Social Director’s Portfolio

 In Jacob’s absence for this portion of the meeting, Elanit gave an update on the following upcoming programs: o She encouraged the board to attend this Friday’s Community Dinner with the rabbinic intern. o Kesher, DC Minyan and Rosh Pina are planning a Chinese Food and Trivia night for December 24. o The D25 volunteer project benefiting the Fisher House is taking place again this year. Several board members agreed that this was a great event and encouraged everyone to attend. o There will be a Bikur Cholim training session on January 5. Diane Indyk is leading Kesher’s Bikur Cholim program, which will help serve new families and ill members.

Education Director’s Portfolio (Bracha)

 There was a good turnout for the Breakfast Schmooze. Bracha thanked Daniel Renna for all his help with cooking breakfast and making the event a success.  Adult Education classes will be on hiatus for several weeks in December. She will send around the exact schedule as soon as possible.  There was good turnout at the last Women’s Tefillah meeting.

Ritual Director’s Portfolio

 In Matthew’s absence, Elanit gave a brief update that he was working with Ari Schuchman regarding Kesher’s Purim schedule.

President’s Update (Elanit)

 Additional cameras will be placed in the courtyard and at the courtyard door to enhance security for the National Capital Mikvah.  A letter of inquiry has been submitted to the Tikkun Olam Women’s Foundation to submit a full proposal to provide funding for a woman spiritual leader to work with the Rabbi within the boundaries of halacha to support the community. Elanit is awaiting a response.  Elanit plans to stop using the current cleaning company and instead hire a part‐time custodian who would clean the shul and bayit and help with shul maintenance. The timetable for this is still to be determined.

Good and Welfare

 Andrew shared that there weren’t a lot of sign‐ups for the most recent Shalom’s delivery, so he welcomed the board’s thoughts on ways to make this service successful.  Jacob encouraged the board to send him suggestions of events for Kesher’s social program.  Elanit reminded the board that Kesher’s Annual Dinner is June 1st and the honorees will be Allan Mendellsohn and Clate and Talia Stansbury.

The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:24pm.

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Consolidated List of Action Items from Meeting

 Present Phase 2 priority list of the Repair Project to the board.  Discuss re‐joining the Orthodox Union in January’s board meeting.

Outstanding Action Items from Previous Meetings

 Current membership numbers to be shared at next month’s board meeting.  Committee to report new dues structure strategy in February or March 2014 board meeting. (David Plotinsky)  Welcome Committee to share the Google doc of new people with the board. (Elanit)  Andrew will make cards for the board to hand out during Shabbat to new people.  Information about available plots should be placed on the website so they can be marketed to the community.  Security Team will meet again and Andrew will price out the badges for shul leaders.  Schedule meeting after Pesach to further discuss membership recruitment strategies. (Elanit)  Add announcement about membership to Digest/SAP. (Stephanie)  Plan outreach events to Kesher alumni in suburbs. (Elanit)  Trustees will purchase additional plots at Judean Memorial Gardens.  Trustees will work with the board to help inform members of the opportunity to purchase available plots.  Elanit, Stephanie and potentially other board members will work to better communicate and integrate with other Jewish organizations in the area.  Contact new member leads. (All Board members)  Include a message soliciting interest in a professional mentoring program in an upcoming Kesher e‐mail. (Andrew/Stephanie)  Present insurance options and pricing at a future meeting. (Debbie)