CBS Ark

Committees and Chairs

Finance & Facility Committees
Financial Affairs	David Pomerantz / Martin Kay
Endowment	Ron Moses / Mitch Kreindler
Benefactor Development	Melvin & Marty Buck
Synagogue Enhancement	Jacobo & Haya Varon / Mort Levy
Building and Grounds	Ian Taxman / Marshall Lerner
Kitchen Liaison	Belinda Denn
Safety/Security	Marshall Lerner
Year of the Torah	Sandy & Leslie Weiner

Membership & Outreach Committees
Membership	Nancy Freed
Chavurah Council	Julie Pomerantz
Chesed	Fran Floersheimer / Debi Mishael
Public Relations	Mac Katzin/Shirley Katzin
Marketing
Hineni	Renee Stern
Web Page	Gail Issen

Religious & Spiritual Committees
Religious Practices	Allan Goldstein
Friday Night Ruach	Alan Goldsmith / Lori Rubin
Ushers/Greeters	Brian Strutt
B'Nei Mitzvah
Chair	Lori Actor
Mentor Chair	Naomi Rosner
Mini-Minyan	Robin Irwin
KidShul	Vicki Teller

Learning & Study Committees
Adult Learning	Steve Lerman/Wendy Lerman
Limmud and Food	Raquel Goldberg
Religious School	Lisa Lowenstein/Sherri Taxman
College Youth	Linda Marouni

Other Committees
Executive Committee	Maxine goodman
Personnel	Larry Estes
Nominating	Ron Moses
Interfaith	Pam Geyer
Social Action	Lori Silverblatt

Synagogue Auxiliaries
PTO	Larry Estes
Sisterhood	Lena Malacoff / Phyllis Gingiss
Men's Club	Stephan Rubin
Retired Men	Fred Floersheimer
Youth	Helene Sheena
HAZAK	Gail Issen

ADULT LEARNING

The Adult Learning Committee supports congregants in their desire to continue to grow and develop as Jews by encouraging participation in Adult Learning. In addition to organizing lectures and short-term classes on a variety of topics, we facilitate the formation of ongoing learning groups and keep the Brith Shalom community well informed about other learning opportunities in the community.

B'nei MITZVAH

Chaired by Lori Actor, the B'nei Mitzvah committee meets periodically to advise and assist the clergy on various aspects of the B’nai Mitzvah program. This creative group of people plan social events such as Shabbat dinners, brainstorm to create new possibilities for enriching our program, and strategize to make our program the best it can be.

A special feature of our B’nai Mitzvah process is our “Mentor Program.” Mentors are parents who have experienced the B’nai Mitzvah process and can help guide you through it as well. Naomi Rosner oversees the Mentor Program.

BUILDING AND GROUNDS

The Buildings and Grounds committee deals with the issues related to the physical building and grounds maintenance. We are in charge of the outside signage, utilities (like air conditioning, and their related components).

CBS SENIOR MEN'S GROUP

The CBS Senior Men's Group, organized to develop camaraderie amongst retired or semi-retired senior men, meets once a month for breakfast and, in addition, have enjoyed trips to the Houston Chronicle, the Ship Channel, a Rockets game, a rehearsal of the Houston Symphony, and a Maritime Museum. We are about twenty men strong and want to be stronger. Join us.

CHAVURAH COUNCIL

A chavurah is a small cohesive group of synagogue members who gather once a month for social, spiritual, and/or education experiences. The Chavurah Council guides the formation of new chavurot. Each group has its own style of leardership and organizational structure; there are no strict rules or requirements. For information about joining a chavurah contact chairman Lisa Estes at lestes@yahoo.com.

CHESED

This group volunteers in acts of chesed with efficiency and grace. They perform acts of loving kindness for members of the CBS "community" who are in need or facing a crisis. They offer empathy as opposed to sympathy as well as having the ability to listen carefully to clues of what the real concerns are. The volunteers offer humor when appropriate as well as drive to and from medical appointments, make phone and home visits, cook, shop and offer to bring congregants to Shabbat services or special functions. Those we serve know "they are not alone."

COLLEGE YOUTH

Throughout the year, Congregation keeps in contact with our college youth via email, and care packages for Rosh Hashanah, Chanukah, and Passover. The students also receive a monthly Hineni and other information.

DIVERSITY OUTREACH

The Diversity Outreach Committee has three goals:

To build relationships and alliances and coalitions with individuals and other diverse groups, and with whom we can share our history, cultures, and religions. By reaching out, we can build friendships and alliances that will effect positive changes in our lives, in our communities, and in the world around us. Our congregants have found this work uplifting and hopeful in a world where Jews are often isolated from others in particular ways. Individuals in the groups have made lasting friendships without compromising our own uniqueness. We learn to respect other cultures and they ours.
To devise strategies that will educate others on issues of anti-Semitism with the final goal of ending it, and at the same time, will alert our members to understanding and eliminating the oppression of others.
To develop projects together that will address certain needs in the larger community.

ENDOWMENT

Information is not yet available.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The Executive Committee serves as an advisory role to the Board. It analyzes major policy changes prior to presentation to the Board and implements decisions of the Board of Trustees. The Executive Committee also serves as the Personnel Committee of the synagogue. The Executive Committee consists of the seven officers of the synagogue and up to two additional members appointed by the President.

FINANCIAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

The Financial Affairs Committee, chaired by the Financial VP and Treasurer, oversees the financial health of the synagogue. Constitutionally, the committee is responsible for financial reporting, budgeting, dues policy and member financial obligations. In addition to these ministerial responsibilities, the Committee also functions as a financial think-tank, providing the Board and Executive Committee with recommendations for improving and streamlining the overall operation and financial management of the Congregation.

FRIDAY NIGHT RUACH

Come sing, dance, and celebrate Shabbat at the most song-filled synagogue in Houston. All ages enjoy the service that is alive with song and joy. The sanctuary sways with the sounds of acoustic instruments and of voices raised together as one, offering an opportunity to experience the deep resonance of a Kabbalat Shabbat service that awakens the soul to the beauty of Shabbat and community. Birthdays and other life cycle events will be honored as well.

After a joyous, uplifting service, we join in the social hall for a delicious light kiddush supper at no charge. We shake hands and schmooze. and enjoy the company of one another. And when we leave, it's with a smile and a feeling of being invigorated as we look forward to coming together once again for the next Friday Night Ruach.

HAZAK

HAZAK is USY for mature adults! Our goals are to provide:

Programming for the 55+ age population
Opportunities to enjoy social, educational, cultural, and religious activities within our Conservative family
Interaction with other HAZAK chapters both regionally and internationally

We plan to offer:

Get togethers for movies and dinners
Cultural and educational programs
Lunch and learn sessions
Trips to area points of interest

HINENI

The Hineni is a publication of Congregation Brith Shalom. The following editions from our archives are currently available:

2008	2007	2006
May, 2008	October, 2007	November, 2006
April, 2008	September, 2007	September, 2006
March, 2008	April, 2007	May, 2006
January, 2008	March, 2007	March, 2006

KITCHEN LIAISON

Belinda Denn is the Kitchen Liaison for Brith Shalom. It is her job to assure that the proper resources are available to make congregational simchas, bake dates, Shabbat Onegs and synagogue celebrations a venue that builds community. Creating a social venue after our Shabbat services gives people an opportunity to connect with each other. It is her goal to work with congregants, the office, committees and our caterer, Benny Katz Catering, to help coordinate the congregation’s food and social needs.
Benny Katz is a premier Houston caterer who has catered at Brith Shalom and throughout the Houston community for the last 10 years. Benny Katz will now serve as CBS’s exclusive caterer, catering our Shabbat and holiday onegs. Benny Katz will also be offering a number of great menu options at competitive prices to CBS congregants for their simchas. Using our CBS kitchen, he will cater our Shabbat onegs and will cater B’nai Mitzvot and other life cycle events throughout the year.

Please feel free to contact Belinda at 713-666-6040 or bldenn@vaughannelson.com with questions or comments regarding the kitchen or if you are interested in hosting a Shabbat Oneg for a special occasion.

KIDSHUL

Information is not yet available.

LIMMUD AND FOOD

The purpose of the Limud and Food programs is to bring congregants together, stimulate them intellectually and spiritually, and forge a deeper connection between them, Judaism, and the congregation. The program consists of a series of talks on a variety of interesting topics, Jewish and secular, offered at noon on the 4th Wednesday of every month. The programs are free and open to all the community. They usually take place at Congregation Brith Shalom from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m., followed by an optional lunch at 1:00 p.m.

MEMBERSHIP

Our Staff and members of our Membership Committee will be happy to meet with you to answer questions and provide you with new member information and an application. Please call the Brith Shalom Office for further information or to schedule a meeting with Rabbi Teller or Joy Rosenberg.

Please click one of the following links to download a Membership Application or a New Member Dues Form:

MEN'S CLUB

Your Men's Club has an active calendar aimed at developing programs for you! These programs will enrich the quality of Jewish life in your home and our community. Your participation will enhance your knowledge and appreciation of our Jewish heritage and traditions. More importantly, you will make lasting friendships and make a difference in our synagogue.

We encourage all men (and women, too) to attend our monthly Sunday breakfast speaker series which provides an opportunity for interactive participation on important topics presented by outstanding speakers. Our breakfast speaker events will take place following the Sunday morning Minyan starting at 9:00 am, with breakfast and program including a wide variety of topics of current, national, local, personal, and family interest, from 10:30 to 12:30 a.m. Our first such event will take place on October 12, 2008. New members are always welcome and eat free!

MINI MINYAN

Mini Minyan is a service for Brith Shalom’s mini-members. One Friday every month throughout the school year, the group meets for services specifically designed to invoke the joy of Shabbat in our youngest congregants. The service includes music, and the children are encouraged to participate through dance and song. Participants range in age from toddlers to second grade. Following the service, a light dinner is served for the children while the parents enjoy each other’s company.

NOMINATING

The Nominating Committee is a standing committee of the Board of Trustees and is charged by the Constitution to nominate at least one person for each office for the Board of Trustees and for each vacancy occurring on the Board of Trustees for election at the Annual Meeting of the congregation. The Committee by Constitution consists of two past presidents, one of whom will be chairperson, two trustees of the Board and one member of the congregation who is not a member of the Board. The committee reviews suggestions for members for the Board of Trustees from the congregation and selects the nominees based on the needs of the congregation and the talent and skill of the members.

PERSONNEL

Information is not yet available.

PTO

The Parent Teacher Organization Committee is the liason committee between the parents and teachers of our Sunday and Hebrew School program Pre-K through 7th grade. We support our school program with everything from snacks to fund raising to holiday events. Some of the highlights last year included the Hanukkah party, Family Purim Program, the Tu B'Shvat Family Seder and the Hanukkah Candle fundraiser.We are always looking for parents to join us to help enhance our children's jewish educational experience. Please join us by contacting the co-presidents Betsy Johnson 713-726-8481 or Melissa Magenheim 281-489-1204.

PUBLIC RELATIONS/PUBLICITY

The Public Relations/Publicity committee acts as a liaison between the synagogue and the Jewish Herald Voice.

RELIGIOUS PRACTICES

The Religious Practices Committee (RPC) works to promote the religious welfare of the congregation, and supervises Kashruth. It continually evaluates the religious development of the synagogue, and works with the Rabbi and Cantor to recommend and promote religious and ritual policies and practices in accordance with the principles of the Conservative movement. The RPC assists the Rabbi and Cantor in a variety of capacities at Shabbat and other services.

RELIGIOUS SCHOOL

Our excellent religious school prepares our children for active participation in synagogue life. In a nurturing and stimulating environment, they learn Hebrew and Jewish History as well as Customs and Ceremonies. By combining proscribed curriculum with exciting electives, we offer our students an educational experience that is both challenging and exciting. This has resulted in an unprecedented retention rate. Our children love religious school!

For full information, please check the Religious School link in the Navigation bar.

SAFETY COMMITTEE

The Safety committee performs a number of very important functions to keep our synagogue and our members safe throughout the year. Among their many responsibilities are:

Performing a monthly safety walkthrough of the entire synagogue
Coordinating High Holy Days and special event security with localo law enforcement
Developing a fire safety plan
Developing and maintaining a Synagogue Safety Manual

SISTERHOOD

The Sisterhood is an active and vibrant part of our synagogue. Our programs throughout the year encourage education, leadership, socialization and relationship building. Working together we can cultivate Jewish continuity in our homes, synagogue and the community at large.

There are so many ways for you to contribute your skills to the Brith Shalom family. We would love for you to help build, bridge and bond a more active, committed Sisterhood of Women and a stronger Brith Shalom. Come empower yourself and belong to our Sisterhood.

For full information about our Sisterhood, please check the Sisterhood link from the Service Organizations topic on the Navigation bar.

SOCIAL ACTION

The Social Action Committee is involved in projects that include:

Commitment with two other churches to feed the hmeless at SEARCH
High Holiday Food drive and Passover Food Drive
Collect toiletries and make blankets for Chidren's Protective Services
Work with PTO to provide toys for Childrens's Protective Services at Christmas
Work with Bar/Bat Mitzvah students on social action projects
Collect books for Harris County Hospital District Half-Pint Library
Work on gardens around the shul
Mitavah Day Projects

The committee welcomes suggestions from congregants about additional projects that they would like to undertake. For additonal information about our Social Action committee, please check the Social Action link from the Service Organizations topic on the Navigation bar.

SYNAGOGUE ENHANCEMENT

Information is not yet available.

SYNAGOGUE WEB SITE

The Synagogue Web Site Committee is responsible for the development and maintenance of our synagogue web site. This committee coordinates with synagogue personnel and committee chairs to ensure that the web site contains current information about synagogue activities.

USHERS/GREETERS

Information is not yet available.

YOUTH

At Congregation Brith Shalom, we know that our youth is the key to our future, and to our very survival. For this reason, we have age appropriate youth groups to meet the needs of our children from the time they are infants through the time when they leave us to attend college and start their own adult lives.

For full information about our Youth Programs, please check the Youth Programs link on the navigation bar.