ANNUAL BSBI CONGREGATIONAL MEETING May 15, 2017

ANNUAL BSBI CONGREGATIONAL MEETING May 15, 2017 PRESIDENTS REMARKS (Ron Abrahams) EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT REMARKS (Vacant) IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT REPORT (Risa Filkoff)

Submitted Jewish Foundation Grant for 2K which was granted and allowed for transitional activities welcoming our Rabbi Randall Konigsburg. We held an installation which was memorable! We held two presidents breakfasts for the Rabbi to get a sense of history from both synagogues and then the merger. Lastly we had a series of meet and greets thanks to many individuals and families hosting in their homes. Involved with cantor/educator search committee led by Personnel VP FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT (Mike Turk)

For calendar year 2016, BSBI adopted a balanced budget calling for $503K in income and a matching amount for expenses. Financially, at the end of 2016, the overall budget was in surplus by approximately $3K. One of the major positive impacts on the income side were dues collections approximately $22K ahead of budget. This was due mainly to a successful concerted effort to collect dues owed from prior years. On the expense side, BSBI spent approximately $20K more than anticipated due to the delay in hiring a bookkeeper as an employee of BSBI due to the unfortunate turnover in bookkeepers which did not allow us to “buy out” our contract with AccoutTemps. Additional funding from the Endowment Trustees enabled us to pay for the search/hiring/moving expenses associated with Rabbi Konigsburg. For 2017, BSBI ultimately adopted a balanced budget of $509K. I am glad to report that through March, 2017 income (exclusive of the one-time event noted below) is running at a slightly higher rate than budgeted while expenses are at a run rate commensurate with what was budgeted. We will continue our practice of sending out regular reminders for outstanding dues which helps both with our cash flow and also helps avoid some of the rush that occurs right before the High Holydays. Other important highlights for 2016/2017 were: The contract with Rabbi Konigsburg was signed. We paid off our roof loan. We were granted a 10% variance in our dues from USCJ. We received $18K as a bequest from the will of Ann Hirth. As in past years, the Finance Committee works closely with the Trustees of the Endowment Fund to help ensure the financial stability of BSBI. Personnel Report (Gayle Block & Deb Cinquemani) Administration Annual Report (Sally Ivaldi, Chair)

We have had three Bookkeepers this year, Maria, Susan and Eileen. Eileen is our present Bookkeeper who has great grasp on the finances and monthly reports. Bills have made their way to all who are paying dues, monthly, quarterly or are in default for this period. Jeanne, our Program Administrator, has been busy with flyers, announcements and helping all groups to get the word out for all types of notifications. Whether it is emails or flyers, all seem to be going out on time. If your email or address is incorrect, you must notify the office to keep current with activities. Lastly, we will be looking for a new Secretary for the office, as Saundie will be retiring in December, 2017. The search will start after this summer. Our office will have a new look come next year. With our New Cantor/Educator and with Saundie retiring, things will be different in the office. Many new looks for 2018 will keep us going. We must be able to accept change in order for us to succeed. Change is good and new ideas are always welcomed.

Endowment Foundation Annual Report (Jeffrey Wasser, President)

Continuing Education Annual Report EDUCATION ANNUAL REPORT (Joya Libow, VP Education)    

Sunday Morning Assembly conducted by Rabbi Konigsberg at the start of Sunday school is well attended by parents and their children. There were two family Shabbat dinners, one combined with Shabbat Across America and a third to occur th on Saturday May 20 as a Shabbat luncheon. Other events that Hebrew school families participated in were the Hanukah celebration, Purim festivities and the teen program donated food and stocked shelves over at the food pantry in Manchester. Two Cantor/Principal candidates came to our synagogue and lead Sunday morning assembly and met th with parents for Q and A sessions. A third candidate is scheduled for May 20 .

YOUTH ACTIVITIES REPORT (Teri Norman)

The Youth Activities Committee had an active year. We had a booth and helped with the TASTE of HONEY event in September. We had a Friday night dinner on November 18, that was well attended and enjoyed by all. We are having another Shabbat Family Luncheon on May 20, 2017 and we will be hosting another Cantor for consideration at this event. Our RWRS family BBQ will be held on May 21, 2017, the last day of Hebrew School for this year. We have participated in several activities for Mitzvah projects, helping in the library, food drives and packing back packs for the homeless. Several families will be sending their children to Camp Ramah this summer. There will be changes coming soon to the staff of the RWRS and we look forward an exciting 2017-2018 school year. Thank you to all the congregants and families who helped and participated at all of our events. ACTIVITIES ANNUAL REPORT (Jack & Dawn Steigelfest, Co-Chairs)

The Activities Committee was established by the BSBI President as an ad hoc committee to take on Board supervision of “orphan” programs that had no Board responsibility or leadership. Since its relatively recent establishment, the Committee continues to evolve and take on different projects. We also volunteer with a number of other committees and BSBI organizations throughout the year. After assisting with the Taste of Honey, we started the year with an unexpected event when Lou Segal asked that we put together an Evening with the Author for his book presentation and discussion. The following month, we organized the Supper in the Sukkah event, including dinner and a service. Dawn assisted with the Hebrew School dinner in November. Over 90 people, including a church youth group, attended Shabbat Across America. Dawn was co-chair of the Seder committee. Recently, we have started to assist the Rabbi with a new program for Shavuot to be held May 30th. We appreciate the assistance we have received from numerous members of the Congregation and hope that you have enjoyed the various events throughout the year! Membership Annual Report: (Ilene O'Neil & Barry Baron)

It has been a busy year for our committee. We have had 10 new families join our congregation. We contacted several past members of the Rockville synagogue and instituted a meet and greet the Rabbi evening. Several of those families joined BSBI. We had a successful Taste of Honey function. We have helped run and organize several Hebrew school Shabbat dinners. All of our Hebrew school parents are now members of BSBI. We continue to attempt bringing wine and challah to new members and various individuals who express an interest in our shul. In addition, we will be working with Phil Margolis and men's club to reach out to inter-faith families In our community. We organized and ran the annual Joe Davis award and luncheon.

Annual Fundraising Report 2016 (Ken Wichman, Chair)

The fund raising committee is approaching the drawing for our BSBI Raffle to be held on Sunday 5/21 at noon. We will be experiencing a profit the final numbers to be determined after the drawing. Costs were minimal as tickets and promotions were all performed in house. We are gearing up for our 2nd Annual BSBI Jazz Festival to be held again at Cheney Hall on Saturday evening, December 2 & possibly Sunday afternoon on the 3rd as well. We are in process if lining up performers and donors. This year, in addition to outside donors, we are soliciting businesses and individuals for advertisements, well wishes, etc. We are considering putting together an ad calendar in lieu of an ad booklet which can be hung up and utilized all year instead of possibly being viewed just at the times of the performances. This will give the advertisers more exposure. Other creative ideas are being considered in conjunction with the ad calendar. Last year we just covered our costs due to the generous contributions of a few nonmember jazz enthusiast. We learned a lot from our first experience last October and, as a result, we anticipate a significantly more successful event this fall Annual House & Grounds Report 2016 (Ed Reilly)

A very active and fulfilling year with many property enhancements projects completed. - Social Hall: Extensive ceiling and wall repairs, painting, wainscoting installed, and lighting improvements. - Library: New carpet installed, wall and ceiling painting, lighting enhancement, and a much needed air conditioner. - Silverstein Kitchen: Substantial renovations completed including cabinet refacing, new counter tops, stainless steel sink, flooring, and refrigerator replacement. - Silverstein Hall: Replaced florescent light ballasts and lamps improving efficiency and illumination levels. - Rest Rooms: Installed electronic activated water faucets. - Main Entrance: Walk off carpets and new brass kick plates installed. - Manchester Police Chief met with the Board for a conversation on security strategies at places of worship. Social Action Annual Report (Merle Cohen & Jen Bundy, Chair)

-Participated in Taste of Honey for PR -High Holiday food drive -Donation to Jewish Federation -Thanksgiving Food Drive, raised $1700 and issued checks to MACC and to HVCC as well as delivering food items to the MACC food pantry and BSBI teens helped to stock shelves in the food pantry -Participated in Menorah Lighting -Sent donation to Jewish Family Services for Hanukkah -Pennies for Fuel through the Hebrew School (raised $70 for MACC fuel fund) and ice cream party for the students -Social Action Shabbat- honored volunteerism in our temple community -Chametz Food Drive -School Supply Drive for Cornerstone in Vernon -Toiletry Collection for MACC and HVCC -Organized outside beautification of the synagogue and community garden

Annual Sisterhood Report (Brina Abrahams)

Sisterhood has had an extremely, busy and rewarding year. We number 130 strong and we have provided numerous programs which served to enrich our minds, bodies, souls, our shul, the greater community and provided camaraderie for one another. We have enhanced our minds with programs like, book reviews and discussions as well as our speakers which also serve to nourish our souls. We began our year with our get together at Sally Ivaldi’s, Sally’s Summer Splash, Sunday, August 7. In September, we celebrated with our annual Donor dinner and were entertained by the very talented Debbie Vinick, harpist and th singer. We also had our first hike of the season. Knit and Kvetch began its 11 year of providing hats, mittens, scarves and lap robes for those in need. In November, we had our donor dinner, and we are proud to say our dedicated members donated nearly 600 items. In November Marilyn Lassow hosted our New Member Tea. Also in

November was our Yearly Bake Sale which continues to gain in popularity with several people calling in orders in advance! In December, we had our second mystery hike. We began January 2017, with our book discussion of the highly-recommended book, Bridge Ladies by Betsy Lerner. January 21 was Sisterhood Shabbat. Our guest speaker was Rabbi Ashira Konigsburg. In February sisterhood cosponsored a Movie Night with continuing ed, featuring the film Dough. We also began the second year of our new Pesach Project which has been enthusiastically received. Thank you Lisa Plavin. This year the recipients were Mazon, Lecket and our synagogue. March 6 was the George and Lillian Sandals Memorial Dinner and Lecture. Our guest speaker was Dr. Robert Harris, an Associate Professor of Bible and Ancient Semitic languages at JTS. April 21 and 22 was our Torah Study Shabbat with our guest scholar Rabbi Charles Simon, Executive director, Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs. On Sunday, April 23, 12 of our members traveled to Temple Israel in Natick, Mass., for a luncheon and to honor Stacey Poutre as our:” Woman of Distinction,” a well-deserved honor. April 30 was another mystery walk. May/June will round out our eventful and inspiring year. Our Torah Fund dessert and Film night will be held Tues., May 16, at the home of Rabbi and Michelle Konigsburg. Mon., May 22, we will have a meeting of the joint Sisterhood/Hadassah Book Club. Our own Hannah Perlstein Marcus will introduce us to her recently published th th book, Surviving Remnant. May 28 is our next walk. Wed., June 7 Sisterhood will hold a Camp Scholarship Fundraiser at Manchester Country Club. Throughout the year, we have provided for our synagogue with Donations for our youth, kitchen supplies, flowers for the pulpit, maintaining our gift shop for the convenience of our members, supplying Oneg Shabbat Kiddush and for holidays, and not to forget our annual donation this year of $3,130, which provided for upgrading faucets in rest rooms and cosponsoring the renovations to the Silverstein Center with Brotherhood. We send Torah Fund Cards to our members for sympathy, get well and good wishes. Sisterhood is proud of our many accomplishments we have had throughout the year and look forward to another year of work, camaraderie and spiritual growth. Annual Brotherhood Report 2016: (Steve Cohen & Dave Alter)

As suggested by Rabbi Konigsburg, a morning minyan service was initiated this year. It is held at 9:00am before each Brotherhood meeting. After minyan, all are invited to a fine breakfast arranged by a small group of dedicated members. This year’s major goals included an effort to increase the number of younger members. Brotherhood President, Phil Margolis met with the Hebrew School fathers to learn of their interests and encourage them to join. This was partly successful with the addition of some new members from the target group. The annual Todd Abitz Memorial Golf Tournament was held in June of 2016 in partnership with the Hockanum Valley Community Council. It was another successful year and proceeds were split evenly. The Golf Committee voted to continue the tournament next year even though HVCC will no longer be a partner since they will hold their own tournament starting next year. For the June 14, 2017 tournament Brotherhood will partner with the Manchester Brotherhood In Action Group. Brotherhood has been working with BIA for many years to support the annual BIA –Breakfast in February. This breakfast raises funds to support families of children with life-altering diseases. Brotherhood proceeds from the Tournament support a number of BSBI needs and activities and also contribute to other charitable organizations, including MACC, Mazon, etc. The BSBI Brotherhood voted to provide $3,130 which is half of the estimated cost in support of three renovation projects: faucets in foyer restrooms, Silverstein kitchen work, and the library renovation. Sisterhood provided the other half.

A set of by laws were adopted for the first time. Brotherhood’s new bylaws call for a nominating committee. Dave Alter was asked and agreed to head the committee. In addition to the monthly breakfast meetings with speakers, special programs were also held – Steak and Schnapps’ in Sukkah – Hearing Men’s Voices; Brotherhood Shabbat; World-Wide Wrap; Yom Hashoah Program and a comedy night. In addition, we cosponsored Torah Study Shabbat with Sisterhood. All events were well supported. The Hanukah program originally suggested as a Brotherhood activity for this year was discussed. It was decided not to have a program this year due to calendar issues. It will be considered again for next year. Our own Glen Hauer will shortly, assume the presidency of the Connecticut Valley Region of FJMC. It was announced that our chapter is one of the most successful of the CT region chapters. A number of area Reform Synagogue Men’s clubs are now affiliating with FJMC. Our speakers were varied and interesting and included:  Michelle Konigsburg. The topic was - Modeling Lifelong Learning for Our Children. Michelle opened with a wonderful rendition of a very appropriate song, “Teach your children well” by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. She utilized the lyrics almost as an outline for an excellent presentation.  Manchester Police Chief Marc Montminy. Chief Montminy discussed the issues that his and other departments in Greater Hartford face every day.  David Gerber who discussed his book, – Investors’ Dilemma-The Remarkable Life of H. Joseph Gerber which is about his father, H. Joseph Gerber. H. Joseph Gerber was an American inventor and businessman. An Austrian-born Jewish Holocaust survivor who immigrated in 1940, and pioneered computer-automated manufacturing systems for an array of industries.  Dave Alter and Herb Flink who shared their fascinating trip to Albuquerque, New Mexico where they attended a program about Crypto Jews and Conversos of New Mexico.  Scott Selig, Executive Director of UConn Hillel. He gave a very interesting presentation describing the current role and strategic mission of UConn Hillel. He described an extensive outreach program to develop alliances with other organizations on campus, including allowing the use of Hillel’s function room for other than Hillel events.  Howard Sovronsky, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford. Howard spoke about current trends and opportunities facing our local Jewish community and the changing role of philanthropy, outreach and engagement.  Marcia Schwarz Perel was the speaker for Yom Hashoah. Marcia shared her family’s fascinating personal story. Her mother’s family fought in the Resistance in the woods of Poland. They were called the Bron Bielski group, and the movie Defiance is based on their story. Marcia's paternal grandfather fought in Stalingrad and was part of the Red Army troops that liberated Auschwitz. Even though he was not Russian, Henry Perel got the opportunity to join the Russian forces led by General Rokosowsky and became chief of interrogation. Henry marched in Moscow after the war, receiving high honors.  Tom Pandolfi, told us his fascinating personal story as a Vietnam veteran and expert on the Flying Tigers. Pandolfi was an Army Green Beret and one of the original advisors in the Vietnam conflict. He served in Cambodia, Laos, Thailand in addition to Vietnam, living with different tribes in the jungles for three tours of duty (27 months). While in Thailand, he met farmers who helped Gen Claire Chennault build airfields for the “American Volunteer Group” (AVG), later to be known as the “Flying Tigers”. After returning home, his interest in the “Flying Tigers” was renewed, and he starting collecting memorabilia and building airplane models. He amassed a very large collection and has been to China twice courtesy of the Chinese Government as the Flying Tigers” are still considered national heroes for helping China defeat the Japanese. Ritual Annual Report (Steve Cohen, Chairman)

As in past years, the majority of the work done by the Committee is organizing the High Holidays Honors and readers. Many members have helped, but Arnie Keyser has done the lion's share of the work.

This year, we spent some time with Rabbi Konigsburg to introduce ourselves and bring him up to speed. We worked with him to make some initial decisions about services and holidays. We also started discussions about what future programs and ritual components we may want to explore. Moving forward, we hope to work with Rabbi Konigsburg and a new cantor to fine tune their respective responsibilities and set our priorities and direction.

BSBI Memorial Park /Chevra Kedeesha Annual Report (Liza Mandell, Chair)

The BSBI Memorial park/Chevra Kedeesha Committee exists as an agent of the BSBI Board of Directors to supervise the activities of our committee. These activities include the organization and training for both the Men's and Women's Chevra Kedeesha groups that help prepare the bodies of any deceased BSBI member who needs to be interred in our Memorial Parks, plus the oversight, and the fiduciary agent of the Two Cemeteries the congregation owns (the Beth Olam Cemetery in Vernon/South Windsor) and manages (The BS Memorial Park in Manchester, owned by the Town of Manchester). I personally want to publically thank the members of the Chevra Kedeesha for their efforts : Thanks also To Rabbi Randall Konigsberg for his support and availability when needed. The Committee welcomes any congregant who would like to join the Societies, to provide this necessary, and fulfilling Mitzvah. A separate executive committee exists to advise the Committee Vice-President, before making recommendations to the Board of Directors at the monthly meetings regarding any actions needed to be taken by the committee. Public thanks is extended to Marshall Grodofsky, Mike Turk, Bea Brodie, Maxine Lerman, Risa Filkoff, Ron Abrahams & Susan Breslau. Special Thanks must be extended to Sue Breslau & her husband Bill for overseeing caretaking of Beth Olam Cemetery. Issues and events arising in 2016-2017year: I) Attached are Budget spread sheets demonstrating revenue and expenses experienced for 2016 Calendar year 2017 year to date, and to the present that account for all activities of the Memorial Park Committee since last year’s annual meeting. II) Fee Schedule for sales of plots in both cemeteries: A plot fee of $2000 per plot for any Jewish individual meeting the criteria for burial in the Manchester BS Memorial Park or the traditional section of Beth Olam, with the continuation of the 50% membership discount offered to BSBI members in good standing who have been active members in the congregation for 3 years. (The graduated discount offered to members less than 3 years of membership in good standing approved by the BSBI Board of Directors in April of 2008 should still be in place.) This would mean a membership fee of $1000 per plot (which would entitle the “buyer” the right to be buried in the designated plot, and would cover perpetual care of the site at no additional fee. III) Fees collected by the committee in the sales of grave plots to members will be earmarked to guarantee the upkeep and maintenance of the graves, markers, and cemetery lands in perpetuity. IV) Fees from plot sales from both cemeteries exceeded the expenses which arose regarding upkeep this year which allowed us to NOT use any of the revenues generated from Memorial Park trust funds this year. This increased the principal assets for both Trust Funds (managed by BSBI Board of Trustees) which will ultimately fund cemetery expenses in perpetuity, and did allow revenues to be utilized by other congregational activities. V) "Beth Olam " traditional section 309 plots available for our use; 315 plots are still available in the inter-denominational section, although we are reserving 84 contiguous plots reserved for congregants from South Windsor's Temple Beth Hillel, to be sold at the BSBI discounted rate, if that congregation needs additional plots after utilizing their own section, and cannot develop the suggested area of expansion. There are 12 indigent plots and 20 plots that are deemed unusable due to tree growth.

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Manchester Beth Shalom Memorial Park has 24 available plots in Section B. (Sections C will be surveyed by the town of Manchester when we near the need to expand the plot sites in that section, but the town will raise the plot fees when that survey is done . This will raise our fees to the Town of Manchester to an estimated fee of at least $900 per plot from the current fee of $250 that was set when Section B was surveyed in the late 1960's.) Grave markers: The BSBI Board adopted a uniform policy for grave markers in both Memorial parks, where the responsibility of purchase and installation and proofreading of the markers is shifted back to the families of the deceased. The congregants will be informed as to the standards of the markers size and presentation to guarantee no marker will pose a hazard to the landscaping maintenance workers. It will still be the responsibility of the families to make the final decision and arrange for the marker installation. Consistency of grave markers is demanded. Interment fees: families of the deceased have to pay for "interment fees” to the providers of those services directly, either the “Town of Manchester” for burials in Manchester Memorial Park (increased this year to a fee of $750 for normal weekday burial ($500 for Veterans) and an additional $900 “overtime charge” for Sunday or Holliday burials. or US Cemetery (the private contractor who excavates the plots in Beth Olam Memorial Park, currently set at $850 weekdays, $1000 for Sundays, and $1300 for holidays). We have scanned all deeds now thanks to Elaine Kahaner and so are working to keep records in the synagogue. Copies of deeds are in the synagogue safe. BSBI memorial park will no longer buy back plots, but will accept them back to be used for Indigent burial and will give charitable tax donation letter to those who return them .

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