Committees
Adult Education
The Adult Education committee provides adult education on Jewish topics to stimulate, invigorate, and enrich our Jewish experience and understanding. Courses are offered throughout the year on a wide variety of topics and are taught by our clergy or expert outside speakers. Previous class topics range from Jewish Mysticism to Talmud: Law & Logic, The Reform Movement’s Impact on Liturgy, and Judaism Talks About Love and Sexuality.
If you have any ideas or would like to volunteer to help create future adult programming, please contact the Temple office at (713) 771-6221, or Adult Education chairpersons: Brad Rauch & David Scott
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Art
Friends of Margolis Gallery provides enrichment to Congregation Beth Israel and to the entire community through high quality art exhibitions, educational programs, and distinguished art acquisitions which enhance our building and enrich our lives. We also offer musical programs and special art tours and trips.
For more information, or if you are interested in volunteering, please contact Nora Howard or Roz Margolis.
Brotherhood
Brotherhood is the organization of Beth Israel men that supports the congregation and the larger Jewish Community through its many activities. These include providing ushers for all of our religious services, sponsoring Boy Scout Troop 806 and Cub Scout Pack 806, providing Kiddush Cups for our B’nai Mitzvah, Confirmand Awards, Blood Drives, Annual Plant Sale, Annual JCC Book Fair, the Jewish Chautauqua Society, and much more. Volunteers are always welcomed and needed! For more information, please contact our co-president, Jeff Friedman.
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Building, Grounds and Maintenance
Our committee evaluates and advises the Temple and Beth Israel Board of Directors on technical questions involving the building, grounds and maintenance issues. If you have expertise you wish to volunteer, please contact co-chairs Ron Bernell or Matt Shaffer.
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The Caring Committee
The Caring Committee oversees all of the subcommittees dedicated to meeting the emotional and special needs of our congregants, especially in relation to illness, bereavement, personal relationships and major life changes. Check out each of these wonderful caring committees and see which one fits your needs or could benefit from your volunteer contributions.
For more information on any of the following committees or programs, contact Caring Committee chairs: Ferne Winograd, (713) 723-1372, or Hope Lipnick, (713) 771-9107.
- Second Family Care Team - Maxine Lapin, (713) 888-0098; Rochelle Oster, (713) 952-9665 or Beverly Freedenthal, (713) 723-1098
- The Gathering Place - (for seniors living with Alzheimer's) Marilyn and Gil Cohen (713) 774-6259., Marti Allen, (713) 776-2929
- Hospital Visitation Committee - Karen Abramson, (713) 923-0834.
- CanCare Support for Cancer Survivors - Committee Chair Rachel Birney or the Temple office, (713) 771-6221
- Men’s Night Out
- Bereavement Support Group
- Cancer Support Group - for those who are survivors, who have recently been
diagnosed or are living with the day to day challenges of this disease. For
information, please contact Rabbi Scott, (713) 771-6221 x329.
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Cemetery
Our Cemetery Committee oversees the administration of our two cemeteries at 1207 W. Dallas and 1101 Antoine. This includes handling plot sales and providing burial information and resources for our members. For more information contact Jeffrey W. Friedman, (713) 771-6221 ext. 600, or one of our two Cemetery committee co-chairs Richard Kaplan or Ronnie Ladin.
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College
Our committee finds ways to keep our college students connected and up-to-date with what’s happening at home at Beth Israel. At appropriate times during the year, students receive specialcare packages. In addition to care packages we also plan special social and mentoring events. Got a college student? We could use your help. For more information or to volunteer, contact Rabbi Scott, (713) 771-6221 or committee chair Leah Gross.
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Communications / PR
The Communications and Public Relations Committee works to enhance all types of Temple communications to increase the awareness and visibility of its programs, people, and leadership within the congregation, the media, and the wider Houston community. It does this by using Beth Israel’s Website, the monthly Bulletin, letters, printed materials, messages, and news releases directed to our members as well as the local media. For more information, please contact Kathy Knott at (713) 771-6221 ext. 612, or Committee Chair Pat Pollicoff.
Facilities Use / Enhancement
This committee focuses on developing clear and consistent guidelines, policies, and fees for the use of our facility by congregants, and finding ways to encourage members to use the facilities as an extension of their own homes for their families’ life cycle events. For more information, contact committee co-chairs Sabria Lewis or Michele Olifant.
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Fair Share Commitment
This committee is dedicated to establishing a fair share dues system that meets the financial needs of the congregation and accommodates the needs of Beth Israel members. For more information, feel free to contact one of our co-chairs, Patrick Clegg, Irving Stern, or Mark Weycer.
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Finance & Audit Committee
This committee manages the financial affairs of the Congregation including:
- Preparation and overseeing the Annual Budget of the Congregation
- Managing the quality and integrity of the Congregation’s financial reports
- Overseeing the Congregation’s systems and internal controls
- Annually reviews & approves selection & engagement of independent public accountants to audit the Congregation’s financial statements
The Committee Chair serves as Treasurer of Beth Israel, and provides monthly reports regarding the financial condition of the Temple at each Board meeting. For more information, contact Jon Finger, Treasurer, Board of Trustees, Chair, Finance and Audit Committee
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Leadership Development
The Leadership Development Committee facilitates the development of future leaders of our Congregation. The Committee invites groups of members who are interested in becoming more engaged in Congregational activities and assuming leadership responsibilities in Beth Israel to participate in a series of sessions designed to educate the participants about our rich history, our current structure and our future challenges and opportunities. For more information, please contact committee chairperson Brad Patt.
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Leisure Club
The Leisure Club is for active seniors aged 60 and older to come together for friendship, fun and dynamic activities. Monthly events are planned around luncheons and entertainment. Several times a year members take off for special excursions like gambling in Lake Charles or boating around Lake Conroe. Previous trips took the group to Washington, D.C., to the U.S. Holocaust Museum, another headed to Branson, Missouri, for some fun and great music. Got some great ideas? Join the Leisure Club. The Leisure Club is open to members and non-members alike, but you better be at least 60! For more information, contact Rabbi Adrienne Scott.
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Library
The Library Committee serves to enhance the collections of the Hyman Judah Schachtel collection and to encourage awareness and usage of the facility. The committee oversees library and archives policies, and supports the monthly Readers’ Group program, which frequently invites authors to discuss their works in live telephone interviews. For more information, please contact our chairperson, Janet Frost.
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Membership
The Membership Committee and its subcommittees are charged with handling all aspects of Temple membership - from recruiting and integration of new members to retention of current members. Our membership chairperson is Tom Fish. Co-chairs are Heather Westendarp and Kathy Dreyfus. For information regarding Membership Programming please contact the chairperson Ellen Josef.
The Membership Recruitment Committee establishes programs to reach out to unaffiliated members of the community, including interfaith couples, to encourage membership in the Congregation Beth Israel family. The committee talks to all applicants as their applications are processed for approval. If you know someone searching for a Temple home or would like to volunteer or actively serve on the committee, please contact Roslyn Haikin or Barbara Josephson.
The Membership Integration Committee is devoted to welcoming all new members to Beth Israel as soon as they are approved for membership. Activities are created throughout the year to help new members integrate into our synagogue’s life. If you enjoy working with and meeting new people and getting to know your members at Beth Israel, this is the committee for you. For more information, contact Kathy Dreyfus Grotta, Marsha Stein or Denise Estrin.
The Membership Retention Committee develops programs that recognize and appreciate existing congregants. These programs include Volunteer Shabbat, Heritage Shabbat (lifelong members), Birthday and Anniversary recognition and meetings with the Clergy. The committee encourages members to become active participants in their Beth Israel family. If you wish to host a meeting with the clergy or participate in other activities of this committee, please contact Heather Westendarp, Jill Adels, Karen Harberg, or Candy Weinstein.
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Outreach / Interfaith
The Beth Israel Outreach/Interfaith Committee serves to welcome all who are interested in learning more about Judaism, whether they were born Jewish, are considering conversion to Judaism, or are raising Jewish children. The committee supports participants in our Basic Judaism classes in many ways including organizing special workshops and programs throughout the year on topics such as how to handle the holidays, navigating Interfaith relationships, and the challenges faced by Interfaith couples and families. Volunteers are always welcome! For more information, please contact the committee chairperson James Stepanski.
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Religious School Board
Our Religious School programs are designed to nurture a strong Jewish identity and sense of commitment to Judaism within our students and families through a variety of fun and stimulating learning and social activities. There are many ways to get involved from helping with a family learning day, to organizing and chaperoning a class activity or trip, or volunteer to serve on our Religious School Board which assists our staff in creating a safe, meaningful and fun religious educational experience for our children. If you’d like to volunteer, contact the Religious School at (713) 271-7369. Religious School Board President: Carl Herman.
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Shlenker School Board
The Shlenker School, the first Reform Jewish Day School in Texas, offers an academically excellent program, integrating secular and Judaic studies, for children aged 15 months through the fifth grade. The Shlenker Board of Trustees is the governing body that oversees the financial well being and stability for future generations of Shlenker students. Trustees may be parents or members of the greater community. For more information, contact The Shlenker School, (713) 270-6127. Shlenker Board President: Gary Greenberg.
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Sisterhood
If you’re interested in meeting new friends and joining activities that strengthen our synagogue, our families, and our faith, Sisterhood is the place for you. Take part in our Bible Study series, Rosh Chodesh, Shabbat, and holiday celebrations, and make some new friends. And don't miss our beautiful Sisterhood Gift Shop. Through Sisterhood you'll make a difference in the lives of many. For more information please contact the Sisterhood Coordinating Director Cindy Schmerin.
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Tikkun Olam
Broadly speaking, the goal of our Social Justice Committee is to put our faith into action through Tikkun Olam (repairing the world). Our umbrella committee meets a few times during the year, but we also provide a wide array of opportunities to get involved through our subcommittees:
- The Metropolitan Organization (TMO)
- Mitzvah Day
- Summer Internship Program
In addition, we are thinking about starting a “Green Committee” to discuss ways to make our Temple, our homes, and our lives more environmentally friendly (and economically sound).
All Temple members are welcome and encouraged to join a committee – it is a great way to meet people with similar interests and put a little time into making our community stronger. Volunteers are always needed in many of our programs.
For more information on any of our Social Justice programs, or to join one of our committees, please contact Rabbi Miller. Co-chairs: Stefani Golub, Greg Spier
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Technology Committee
Beth Israel's Technology Committee advises the Senior Staff and Board of Trustees on matters of technology and information management and offers technical advice on a range of technology directions, strategies, policies, plans, priorities and needs of the temple. We also review both current and proposed projects for systems, infrastructure, and procedures and bring emerging technology issues to the attention of the Beth Israel Board. Our new Temple website is an important focus of the Committee and we are always interested in having new committee members join us. Got some great ideas? Web design or experience? Have a few hours a week to keep the website updated? We can use your help. New volunteers do not need to be experts in the understanding or implementation of technology. If you’re interested, please contact one of us. Committee Co-chairs: Carl Herman, Larry Margolis.
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Worship Committee
This committee, under the guidance of Rabbi Lyon and Cantor Mutlu, reviews all worship services to ensure that the setting and substance of each service enhances the experience for as many of our congregants as possible. The Committee continuously reviews and analyzes topics such as music, our physical worship setting, structure of our services, and the Oneg Shabbat. The Committee invites and appreciates feedback concerning these or any other related topics at: CBIWorshipCommittee@hotmail.com.
E-mail responses are shared anonymously among the Committee and remain topics of ongoing discussion and analysis. For more information, please check our Worship section on our web or contact committee chair, Larry Proler or co-chair Joel Winograd.
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YAGA
If you are in your 20s or 30s and Jewish, YAGA is the place to be! Beth Israel offers a series of high quality events specifically designed for young adults,and wants you to be part of it. Below is a list of upcoming activities, and we will be updating this page regularly with new information.
YAGA (Young Adult Group Activities) is committed to becoming a place where young Jews can come together for social activities, meaningful connections, and a strong sense of Jewish tradition. For more information, or to add your name to our e-mail list, please contact Rabbi Adrienne Scott.
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Youth Activities Committee
The Youth Committee of Congregation Beth Israel encourages youth and family involvement at all levels of congregational life. We facilitate creative and consistent programs, which engage our youth in developing a sense of Jewish identity, building strong relationships, and putting Jewish values into action. We believe that spiritually and socially engaged youth contribute to the greater goal of creating a dynamic and thriving Temple community.
If you are interested in the Youth Committee, or volunteering to help with any specific programs, please contact the co-chairs Marcia Nichols or Kim Trimble.
