Congregation Bet Ha'am is, as its name suggests, truly a "House of the People.” The congregation’s many programs, special services, Religious School, and even day-to-day operations, such as building repair and grounds beautification, are the result of the love and devotion of congregants. Joining a committee is the first step in offering your own special gifts to our community.
If you would like to learn more about any of the committees or about committee membership in general, please contact the synagogue office so that we can connect you with a Board member or committee chairperson.
We hope you will join us in helping to shape our congregation by serving on a committee. We are excited about the prospect of your participation!
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The Adult Education Committee works with the Rabbi to plan and carry out a variety of adult learning opportunities, including classes, discussion groups and retreats. A scholar-in-residence weekend featuring a scholar of national prominence is a highlight of each year’s programming. We strive to help our members deepen their understanding and commitment to Judaism and Jewish living. Offering opportunities for increased Hebrew literacy within the congregation is a high priority.
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The Bylaws are the set of rules by which Congregation Bet Ha'am is managed and regulated. The Bylaws Committee was established in 2005 to periodically review and propose revisions to the Congregation Bylaws.
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The Caring Committee responds as congregational “family” to the needs of members who are experiencing various life events, including sickness, loss, and the hectic arrival of new babies. Committee members make hospital and shiva calls, provide transportation, coordinate meals, and offer other help as needed. New babies are welcomed with “Bet Ha’am Baby Bibs” and college students away from home receive Chanukah gelt and candles from the Caring Committee. Meetings are kept to a minimum since much of the organizing work can be done by telephone.
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The Holiday Committee does the nuts-and-bolts, behind-the-scenes work that allows the congregation to meaningfully celebrate many of the important dates on the Jewish calendar. The committee usually swings into action for the High Holy Days, Sukkot, Purim and Passover. Its responsibilities include preparation of the High Holy Day worship space, recruiting volunteers to serve as ushers and in other needed roles, and planning the congregational Passover seder. The committee’s members enjoy working together to create lively, participatory holiday celebrations.
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The Outreach Committee was formed to meet the needs of non-Jews, Jews by choice, and interfaith families who wish to participate more fully in congregational life. Committee projects include creating Learners' Shabbat, Holiday programs and Havdalah discussions. The committee welcomes the input and participation of all members of the congregation.
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The Library Committee serves as the advisory group for the operation of the library. It provides guidance, support and advice in the development of policies for collection and circulation of materials and for programming in the Library.
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The Membership Committee welcomes new and prospective members to the Bet Ha’am community, and seeks to help them integrate into congregational life. New member dinners and desserts, “meet-the-rabbi” sessions, and welcome phone calls are among the activities organized by the committee to help interested individuals learn about the congregation and meet other members. Committee members often host new and prospective congregants at services and other congregational events. Anyone wishing to share the joy of Bet Ha’am by welcoming others into the congregation is invited to join this committee.
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The Nominating Committee generates the names of members of the Congregation who would be good candidates for the Board of Directors. The committee includes members of the Board and other congregants appointed by the president. Their task is to develop a list of individuals who have demonstrated commitment to Congregation Bet Ha'am through participation and leadership in committees and other activities. The committee proposes a slate of candidates for election at the Congregation's annual meeting and also is activated from time to time during the rest of the year when board vacancies arise. The committee also proposes a slate of officers to the Board every two years.
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Stewardship is defined as the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one's care. As Jews, Jewish communal life and its institutions are entrusted to each and every one of us. The long-term mission of the Stewardship Committee is for our congregation to develop into a community of philanthropists committed to contributing to a vibrant and rich future for the Jewish people and the world in which we live. Throughout the year, the Stewardship Committee will be presenting an array of programs designed to give congregants the opportunity as a community to study traditional and contemporary Jewish sources, examine global approaches and explore ways to incorporate a Jewish values-based approach to financial matters in our synagogue and in our lives.
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The Budget and Finance Committee is responsible for carrying out Board policies regarding financial matters: operations, dues collection, budget administration and funds management. The committee prepares the annual operating budget, meets six to eight times per year to review monthly reports, makes quarterly reports to the Board, represents Bet Ha'am on URJ dues issues, and manages banking relationships and investment accounts.
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The Building Committee's mission is to complete construction of and transition to a permanent home for the Congregation that will enhance congregational worship and other programming and will maintain an open and welcoming congregational environment. We pursue building planning and construction in a manner that involves all members of the congregation in the planning process and in the execution of the plan. Click here to view a list of the building committee members. If you have any questions, comments or concerns about the new building please feel free to contact any member of the Building Committee or send us an e-mail at ourhome@bethaam.
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The Capital Campaign Committee is working to raise the funds necessary for the congregation's new building and for an endowment that will enrich our programming and provide for the maintenance of our facilities. The committee welcomes the participation of all members interested in helping to secure the resources necessary to realize our vision of a warm, welcoming and comfortable new home.
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The Education Committee, which is comprised of interested parents and other congregants, helps ensure the smooth functioning of the Religious School through its efforts in support of the Religious School Director. The committee meets monthly to help to plan school events, including family programs, and helps recruit teachers and other volunteers. The committee provides a means of communication between parents and the school, makes suggestions to the Board regarding school policies, and implements Board decisions.
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The Gabbai Committee works with the Rabbi to ensure that worship services at Bet Ha’am remain engaging and meaningful. Committee members are invited to participate by the Rabbi, who seeks individuals with diverse worship experiences and interests. A portion of each meeting is devoted to the study of liturgy so that committee members may gain insight into different approaches for enhancing the congregation’s spiritual life. The committee considers all aspects of the worship experience, from the role of particular prayers in the service to seating arrangements in the sanctuary.
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The House Committee is responsible for the coordination of maintenance and improvement of our building and grounds. The committee organizes yard clean-up days in the spring and fall, a kitchen and building clean-up in preparation for Passover, and helps to ready the building for the start of Religious School each September. Members of all ages help with planting, weeding, raking, sweeping and painting. The committee meets two or three times a year to plan its activities.
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The Personnel Committee is responsible for developing policies related to the congregation's employees, including hiring procedures. The committee generates job descriptions, assists the Rabbi in managing the office staff, negotiates contracts with the professional staff and conducts periodic staff evaluations. The committee's members are appointed by the president.
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Our mission is to raise awareness of social injustices and lead actions to involve the Congregation in Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) through our present and future activities. Current activities include providing dinner once a month for Friendship House, the High Holy Day Food Drive, volunteering monthly at Wayside Evening Soup Kitchen, holding a Winter Clothing Collection, holding a yearly workday with Habitat for Humanity and a yearly workday with Cultivating Communities. We also recommend quarterly distribution of tzedakah money collected at Bet Ha'am. The committee meets monthly; members can work on individual projects without attending each meeting.
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