Barney Horowitz, Chair horowitz28@verizon.net At B’nai Sholom, mindful that “the advancement of learning is the highest commandment” (Maimonides), we are a congregation of lifelong learners, where Adult Education allows us to explore Judaism and the whole world through a Jewish perspective. The Adult Education Committee meets occasionally throughout the year planning a range of programming from classes to movies to lectures and concerts. Volunteers are always welcome. See elsewhere on this website or check our bulletin for current listings.
B’nai Sholom Representation on B’Yachad Board
Elizabeth Alowitz (term expiring June 2022)
Julie Friedman (term expiring June 2021)
Laura Kaplan (term expiring June 2021)
The B’Yachad Religious School Board sets policy for and supports the students in our Religious School program, B’Yachad (Grades K-8).
B’Yachad is a partnership among B’nai Sholom, Temple Israel and Ohav Sholom. It is the Board’s goal to ensure an education program that provides students with knowledge and understanding of Jewish history, tradition, values, and practices, along with Hebrew language skills, in order to promote Jewish identity, participation in the Jewish community, and a life-long love of learning
B’nai Sholom’s Caring Community exists to help our congregants in times of crisis.
Because unusual stresses, illness, or bereavement can strike at any time, it is important to know that we have people on whom we can depend. The Caring Community program has available, before the need arises, people willing and able to help. As new needs develop, the Caring Community will make every effort to meet them.
Congregants may need help and support when someone is sick or home-bound, a new baby arrives, someone is bereaved, there is an accident, tragedy, or other trauma. Meals can be made available when needed.
To request assistance, congregants simply call the synagogue office, the rabbi, or a member of the Caring Community Steering Committee. Allowing the Caring Community to give assistance provides to its volunteers the opportunity to perform a mitzvah.
Cemetery Committee
Bill Schwartz, Chair taberdar53@gmail.com
B’nai Sholom’s cemetery is a picturesque and peaceful dedicated section of the Elmwood Hill Cemetery in Troy, New York. The Cemetery Committee coordinates cemetery activity, defines procedures and serves as a point of contact between synagogue members, area funeral directors, monument companies and cemetery staff. For information and to see pictures of the cemetery or to purchase a cemetery privilege, please contact the office.
Communications Committee
Benjamin Marvin, Chair bamarvin4574@gmail.com
The Communications Committee keeps congregants and the wider Jewish community informed about events and activities taking place at B'nai Sholom. We maintain the congregation's website, Facebook page and Twitter feed, coordinate and often author articles for the B'nai Sholom bulletin, write press releases, take pictures of events that have occurred for publication in the bulletin and on Facebook, Twitter and our website, create flyers and posters and design advertisements for inclusion in local newspapers. The committee meets the last Monday of the month and we welcome new members. If you enjoy writing, and/or taking photos, or creating eye catching flyers, please get in touch with Ben! Our monthly bulletin is our primary means of communicating with the congregation. If you'd like to help lay out, produce, distribute, or otherwise create this important publication, please join us! Contact Christine Blackman, office manager. Click here for Bulletin Submission Deadlines.
Disabilities Committee
Roy Fruiterman, Chair rfruiterman@gmail.com
The Disabilities Committee is an initiative inspired by the Jewish Federation of the Capital District. It is B'nai Sholom's goal to make the synagogue, both the congregants and physical building, more accessible to those members of the Jewish community with special needs. The committee attempts to identify the barriers that exist for those congregants and potential congregants with developmental, physical, and emotional disabilities. We are trying to identify and enable actions that can be taken to offer these people a more friendly and inclusive environment in which to pray and socialize. If you are intested in being a part of our committee, contact Roy Fruiterman.
Finance Committee
Joan Savitt, Finance VP, Chair jnsavitt@yahoo.com
The Finance Committee monitors congregational income and expenses throughout the year and prepares the
annual budget for consideration by the Board.
Fundraising Committee
Lois Gordon, Chair rgordon1@nycap.rr.com
The Fundraising Committee contributes to the synagogue’s budget by developing and implementing creative and
fun activities and events. New ideas are always welcome while more tried and true ones may rotate from year
to year. In the past, the congregation has enjoyed Chilipalooza (our chili cook-off), the biennial Goods and Services
Auction, Shalach Manot bags, Fair Trade Sale and Honey From the Heart fundraisers. We look forward to another
year of FUNraising.
Historian
Bettina Stoller, Chair bfstoller@gmail.com
The boxes of records dating back to the formation of the congregation have been organized over the past couple of years. Our continuing goal is to make our historical records easily accessible and secure from damage, loss, and neglect and to be sure current and future materials are properly documented and archived. If you'd like to help with this effort, contact Bettina!
Hospitality Committee
Linda Strohl, Chair lstrohl3772@gmail.com
Want to host an Oneg Shabbat? Contact Katelyn DiPaola (518) 225-2843 or k.ouellette89@gmail.com
The Hospitality Committee schedules weekly Oneg hosts for our Shabbat services, assists the office manager with maintaining basic kitchen supplies and cleanliness of the kitchen, and assists other committees with coordinating special events' food as needed. Each Oneg Shabbat is provided and hosted by a B'nai Sholom member or family. Guidelines ( Click here for important Oneg Guidelines ) are provided that tell you everything you need to know, from beginning to end. The Hospitality Committee calls congregants to ask that you become a host. If you prefer to pick your own date early, please contact Katelyn Ouellette DiPaola at (518) 225-2843 or k.ouellette89@gmail.com
House Committee
Phil Teumim, Chair philteumim@gmail.com
The house committee works to maintain and improve the synagogue’s physical facilities, inside and outside.
Judaica Shop
Sheila Schwartz, Chair Momsdacook@aol.com
The Judaica Shop offers to the members of the B'nai Sholom family a variety of ritual objects and other
Jewish-theme items. We do this to encourage hiddur mitzvah (the beautification of the performance of
mitzvot) and reinforce Jewish identity. Congregants may purchase items on display whenever the Temple
Office is open. Other hours will be posted in our bulletin.
Legacy Campaign
Mimi Bruce, Chair mbrucemd53@gmail.com
The BSRC Legacy Campaign Committee is a small group of congregants who have committed to educating fellow congregants on the value of and the means for developing an endowment for B'nai Sholom. By encouraging fellow members to include B'nai Sholom in their estate planning, the Legacy Committee hopes to guarantee the future of our synagogue in the Jewish community of the Capital District. If you are interested in working with the committee, or in providing for B'nai Sholom through your will or some other financial instrument, please contact Mimi Bruce. The Legacy Society is that honored group of individuals who have committed to providing a gift now or in there estate for B'nai Sholom.
Library Committee
(looking for a chair!)
The Library Committee is a group of B'nai Sholom congregants that sets policy for, oversees and manages the Library and its collection to stimulate interest in, and ensure access to, a vibrant collection of Judaic resources for the membership and the Jewish community. B’nai Sholom’s Library is available to congregants whenever the building is open. Most, but not all materials circulate. Please be sure to sign out all circulating materials. Please return all materials promptly.
Membership Committee
Libby Liebschutz, Chair libbyliebschutz@gmail.com B'nai Sholom welcomes newcomers to our congregation, including people in mixed marriages and of all races, abilities, sexual orientations and gender identities. The Membership Committee seeks out and forges connections with unaffiliated Jews in the Capital Region who are looking for an active Reform temple that provides opportunities for spiritual growth, continuous learning, social action and a warm, welcoming community. We work to introduce and orient new members to our vibrant community, and we create programs to deepen and broaden the engagement of both current and prospective members in Jewish life and service, such as Music Bridge, which brings our teen musicians to entertain nursing home residents, and Tot Shabbat, a Friday night worship service for families with young children. We’re always looking for new ideas and new committee members!
Member Events Committee
Bettina Stoller, Chair bfstoller@gmail.com
The Member Events Committee fosters B’nai Sholom congregants getting to know and enjoy each other, by sponsoring a
series of celebrations to increase their sense of connection. Every year, we facilitate Rosh Hashanah luncheons at
congregants’ homes. Events that are scheduled every other year include the Progressive Dinner, the Wine and Cheese
Tasting, the Longevity Dinner/Shabbat, and the Volunteer Dinner/Shabbat.
Nominating Committee
Barbara Devore, Chair barbaradevore1@gmail.com
The Nominating Committee presents candidates for officer and trustee positions to the congregation and Board for consideration and
election. The Nominating Committee's composition and mandate is described in our bylaws.
Ritual Committee
Melissa Putterman-Hoffmann, Chair mputtermanhoffmann@gmail.com
The Ritual Committee works directly with the Rabbi to maintain and enhance the spiritual life of the Congregation. In fulfillment
of this goal, the Committee’s efforts include:
- Understanding the evolving spiritual needs of the Congregation and creating service content and other events accordingly;
- Proposing policy involving life-cycle events;
- Preparing for festival events such as Tu BiShevat and Purim;
- Composing and/or formatting services for special occasions;
- Recruiting and preparing lay readers for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur;
- Training and scheduling lay leaders to fill in when the Rabbi is away.
Scholarship Committee
Martha Rozett, Chair rozett@albany.edu
The Scholarship Committee is responsible for allocating student scholarships to Jewish overnight camps and summer Israel trips.
The committee does not meet regularly, but only as needed to set policy for the scholarships. The committee solicits
applications in early January and meets shortly thereafter to distribute available scholarship funds.
Social Action/Social Justice Committee
Co-chairs: Becky Marvin beckymarvin4574@gmail.com and Valerie Tabak walksing53@aol.com
B’nai Sholom is a Brit Olam Congregation. As such, the Social Action Committee educates the congregation and
community about social issues from a Reform Jewish perspective, and provides congregants opportunities to be
involved in direct action to better our community and the world. Activities include presenting educational materials
and programs related to these areas, informing public officials about Reform Jewish positions on current issues and
legislation, and encouraging congregational engagement in associated activities.
The Social Action Committee currently focuses on:
- Advocacy: Tools for our congregation
- Childhood literacy
- Homeless families
- Hunger programs
- Universal Health Care
Projects and programs continuing in 2018-19
-Advocacy training for congregants, through programs and literature
-Civic engagement
-Being active participants in work that aligns with our Brit Olam responsibilities
-Establishing and maintaining a small book nook at The Schuyler Inn, a homeless shelter in Albany (estimated
start late September 2018)
-Books For Babies-providing new books to expectant parents in homes where reading is not a tradition. At
present, we work with The Baby Institute in
Albany and are always open to new joint ventures.
-Family Promise- interfaith community support for homeless children and their families
-Empty Bowls- Hunger Action Fundraiser
-Soup Kitchen partnering with Congregation Beth Emeth
-Support for Capital District Alliance for Universal Healthcare
-Semi-annual clothing drives (November 2018 and Spring 2019)
The Social Action Committee meets monthly at the synagogue, on the second Thursday of the month at 7:00 pm. We welcome new members and are always looking for additional ways that we can be a presence in the Capital District.
Technology Committee
Looking for a chair
The Technology Committee is a group of BSRC congregants that work on technology systems and tools for use by the BSRC
community to more effectively and efficiently use our resources. Included in the Technology Committee's efforts are
management of our internal computing resources including both the hardware and software environments, support of our
web pages and email lists, and general consulting for BSRC staff on technical issues.
Youth Committee
Chairs: Joel Bloom (joeldbloom@gmail.com) and Jodi Kerper jodi_kerper@yahoo.com
This committee serves as program support and policy-making committee for youth group. Our Senior Youth Group, YOBS,
serves students in grades 9-12.