With the generous support of our membership, through dues and donations, we have been able to begin laying the foundation to support a strong and vibrant BIJ community.
We have a new spiritual leader, Rabbi Rosalind Glazer, who has brought a new energy to our services. We have a new religious educator, who has brought a wealth of Jewish educational experience to BIJ. We have an award-winning Social Action Committee, which helps to make tikkun olam a reality for everyone, from our youngest religious school students, to our most long-term members, and everyone in between.
Nonetheless, BIJ faces ongoing financial issues. BIJ leadership has recognized that we are at a cross-road. If we are to thrive as a community, we need to ‘pay as we go’ and find new ways to make ends meet, on an annual basis. We cannot simply consume our remaining reserves and ‘hope for the best’.
With this purpose in mind, we recently held the first of two meetings with our congregational membership, to bring everyone up to date on BIJ’s financial situation, to ask for support in dealing with the anticipated budget deficit, and to launch our new ‘Annual Fund’.
Many of you will receive a letter shortly inviting you to the second of these meetings, which is scheduled for Sunday, May 4.
Of the 28 member families that came to our first meeting, 95 percent have already signed up to start the Annual Fund. These ‘BIJ Angels” have contributed a total of $43,300 amongst them. We cannot thank these congregants enough. We hope that you will all join them once you have heard our story.
Founding Angels
(as of April 6, 2008)
Barry & Evelyn Adler
Ed & Jan Austin
Arthur Becker
Al Belotz
Kathy Chaikin & Jerry Bernstein
Fred Cohn & Miriam Perlson-Cohn
Kate Favetti
Jane & Jerry Field
Anne & John Fuchs-Chesney
Lynn & Jeff Glick
Amy & Steven Gottlieb
Josh Goodman & Karen Kerner
Phil & Diana Hartman
Sue & Blair Horst
Jeffrey Kallman & Ann Morgenstern
Margaret Kaplan
Marvin & Carole Lipton
Bob & Carol Mills
Joel & Janet Panzer
Andy & Reeva Safford
Marty & Judy Segol
Bill Tarran & Deborah LaTorre-Tarran
Sanfy & Betty Weinberg
Morrie Weinberg
Beth & Dan Weisberg
Stan & Carolyn Wiener
Ronnie Zuckerberg & Jason Mass
As Rabbi Morris, z”l, wrote, ‘My synagogue is of the ages…’ We know that this is your synagogue. Please come to the meeting on May 4 to help us focus on the challenges facing our congregation and to ensure that BIJ will be there for you, your family, your future.
Sincerely,
Kathy Chaikin (President)
Carol Mills (1st Vice President)
John Fuchs-Chesney (Treasurer)
Marty Segol (Past President)
Anne Fuchs-Chesney (Past President)