MARCH - APRIL 2017 ADAR - NISSAN - IYAR 5777 ■ Tikvat Israel Volume 10 Number 2 BULLETIN Clergy Install TI’s New Lay Leadership Rabbi Ben Shull and Cantor Rochelle Helzner formally installed a new set of officers WEEKLY RELIGIOUS and board members at a 10-minute ceremony during Shabbat services on Jan. 21. SERVICES The clergy, on what they titled a “Shabbat of Hope,” a day after the presidential inau- Monday 6:45 a.m. 7:30 p.m. guration, oversaw the installation of the lay leaders who will govern Tikvat Israel’s affairs for the next two years. The slate of officers and board members was voted into office at a Tuesday 7:30 p.m. congregational meeting on Jan. 8. Wednesday 7:30 p.m. Rabbi Shull, in brief remarks, said it was appropriate that the three vice presidencies Thursday 6:45 a.m. 7:30 p.m. carry responsibilities that affirm the congregation’s basic purposes: prayer, learning and acts of lovingkindness. “Leadership demands devotion,” he said. “Good leadership is Friday 8:00 a.m. never automatic.” Kabbalat Cantor Helzner led a song composed by Debbie Friedman titled “Tefilat Haderech,” Shabbat 6:30 p.m. also known as the “wayfarer’s prayer.” Shabbat 9:30 a.m. Installed as officers were the following: Melanie Grishman, president; Warren Berger, Sunday 9:00 a.m. 7:30 p.m. vice president for administration; James Perlmutter, vice president for programming; Ellen Kaminow, vice president for youth and family; Stuart Lempert, treasurer; Debby Berlyne, recording secretary; Gene Sheskin, financial secretary; and Jonathan Solomon, Services also held at Shiva houses immediate past president. as needed. Morning service times may change for Rosh Chodesh, Taking office for two-year terms on the board of directors:Alan Apter, Dalit Baranoff, minor fasts and national holidays. Michael Cohen, Sally Kram and Frances Tropp. Watch e-mail for notifications. Also recognized were those who have completed board service: Carol Chelemer, Irving Cohen, Louis Leibowitz, Rodney Matheson, Helen Raucher, Stephen Raucher and Elissa Schwartz. CANDLELIGHTING TIMES March 3 5:45 p.m. Installed as trustees of the Tikvat Israel Fund for the Future were Irving Cohen, Harold Diamond, Louis Leibowitz and Stephen Raucher. The fund collects and man- March 10 5:53 p.m. ages endowment funds for the long-term health of the shul. March 17 7:00 p.m. March 24 7:07 p.m. Billy Jonas Trio to March 31 7:13 p.m. Present Two April 7 7:20 p.m. April 10* 7:23 p.m. Terrific Concerts April 11* 8:24 p.m. The Billy Jonas Trio will present two concerts — one for families and one for April 14 7:27 p.m. adults — at Tikvat Israel on Sunday, April 16* 7:29 p.m. March 19. TI’s own cantor Rochelle Helzner will join the trio for several num- April 17* 8:30 p.m. bers. For more information on this exciting April 21 7:34 p.m. event, which serves as one of the shul’s major April. 28 7:41 p.m. fundraisers of the year, please see page 13. *Pesach TIKVAT ISRAEL Congregants Coordinate Food Pantry DIRECTORY Help at Manna Food Center Synagogue Office Tikvat Israel members have been Phone 301-762-7338 volunteering their time to help Manna Fax 301-424-4399 Food Center prepare food packages for Rabbi Montgomery County residents who are Benjamin Shull struggling to afford food, housing and [email protected] ext. 115 other basic needs. Cantor Congregants Art and Marsha Fabel launched the synagogue’s relationship with Rochelle Helzner the nonprofit agency several months ago [email protected] ext. 116 and are coordinating additional volunteer Rabbi Emeritus help among congregants. So far, Tikvat Israel volunteers have prepared food pack- Howard D. Gorin ages at the Manna warehouse on three Cantor Emeritus occasions (in November, December and Mark Levi January). Participants included the Fabels, Marilyn Greenwood, Michael Greenwood, President the Smith family (Jeff, Ellen, Hannah and Melanie Grishman Maya), Judith Davis and the Fabels’ neigh- [email protected] bor Pete Xydas. Executive Director “I had envisioned that Tikvat Israel About 20 milk cases containing canned Sam Freedenberg members could be called upon maybe four goods, weighing about two tons, were [email protected] ext. 111 times over the year for this program,” Art prepared by volunteers from Tikvat Fabel said. “But the volunteers got such Israel at the Manna Food Center in Office Staff satisfaction out of filling a need that they Gaithersburg on Dec. 30. Marla Sevi, asked me, ‘When can we do this again?’” Administrative Assistant & ing cans and boxes from grocery bags and Member Services Preparation for food distribution to placing the food on the appropriate pantry [email protected] ext. 110 Montgomery County residents is handled shelf,” he said. by volunteers seven days a week at Manna. Audrey Bergstein Hatfield, Bookkeeper “There is so much food to organize that The work takes place indoors and vol- [email protected] ext. 126 growing the TI group is greatly appreciated unteers should wear comfortable clothing. Education and Youth by the Manna staff,” Art Fabel said. Rubber-soled shoes are recommended. Programming Manna offers snacks, coffee, tea and water “I know a lot of our members would to volunteers. Parking is available in desig- Luisa Moss, Director prefer doing this on a Sunday. But Sundays nated volunteer spaces near Manna’s truck [email protected] ext. 120 are so popular that they are booked up at loading dock. Early Childhood Manna for about three months,” said Fabel, who added he will schedule a Sunday vol- Contact Fabel at Rockvilleart@gmail. Michelle Sobel, Director unteer session at a later date. com or 301-802-2535 to help at the next [email protected] ext. 119 session at Manna, which is located at 9311 Interim Bulletin Editor “No preparation is necessary; you just Gaither Road in Gaithersburg, a short show up. What we do is similar to unpack- distance from Shady Grove Road. Andi Kronzek [email protected] TI volunteers at Manna Food Center Contributing Editors on Dec. 30 were, from left, Maya Ellen Eisner Betty Fishman Smith, Ellen Smith, Hannah Smith, Jay Goldman Amy Matathias Jeff Smith, Marsha Fabel, Marilyn Nancy Matheson Greenwood, Michael Greenwood and Design and Layout Art Fabel. lgt & associates, inc. Newsletter Printer Universal Printing 2200 Baltimore Road Rockville, MD 20851 www.tikvatisrael.org 2 TIKVAT ISRAEL MARCH-APRIL 2017 PRESIDENT’S REPORT Roundup of First Committees Strengthen Congregational Meeting of 2017 Our Community The first congregational meeting of 2017 gave Tikvat Israel members a glimpse into the financial state of the synagogue. BY MELANIE GRISHMAN, TIKVAT ISRAEL PRESIDENT The Jan. 8 meeting in the sanctuary also served as the forum In the last few Bulletins, I have for the election of officers and board of directors' members for the told you what the board of directors next two years. (See related story, page 1.) has been up to as far as leadership A summary of other agenda items during the half-hour meeting: development and strengthening its efficiency. This time I will discuss the • Treasurer Steve Raucher, in his last budget report before role of our committees and the efforts retiring from the governing board, said operating expenses we plan to take to strengthen them. were running slightly lower than expected, meaning the congregation was on target at the middle of the fiscal year We have some committees that are to end with a slight surplus, probably under $10,000. extremely active and meet regularly. However, there are some that are not very active. • Executive Director Sam Freedenberg reported the current membership at 277 family units. He said only $58,800 of Committees exist to make the work of the organization more the total budgeted for membership dues adjustments in efficient. Here, the skills, talents and interests of the members 2016-17 ($77,000) had been requested at the midpoint of can be used to their full advantage. New or less experienced the fiscal year, a positive sign. members can gain insight into the workings of the organiza- tion, and the committee facilitates lay leadership development. • The installation of new overhead lighting in the sanctuary has been delayed by the slow process for obtaining a mod- Our committees are appointed by the board, and some are est rebate (about $700) from Pepco for replacing outdated specified in the by-laws. There are two types of committees at lighting fixtures with energy-efficient LED lighting. The Tikvat Israel. Standing committees — such as adult education, facility upgrade had been expected to be finished last Au- membership and religious practices — are specific in the by-laws gust when new carpeting was installed in the sanctuary, but to function on a permanent basis. An ad hoc committee, such as Freedenberg described the utility company’s rebate process the rabbi search committee, is appointed for a specific purpose as “very involved.” and is time limited. • New locking mechanisms have been added to the kitchen An effective committee meets regularly, communicates well doors that lead to the rear outside of the building and to with each other and with the board, keeps concise and clear the social hall, Freedenberg said. Specially coded access minutes, and regularly evaluates its performance. Each committee cards will allow only certified mashgiachs plus office staff should report to the board on a regular basis so that all are kept up and custodial personnel inside the kitchen. Electronic door to date on program planning or problem areas. cards held by others no longer will allow such access. Our three vice presidents are currently meeting with the commit- tee chairs to evaluate the committees’ functions and effectiveness.