Committees
Committees are the heart of our Temple, and committee membership is a great way to become involved. If you are interested in joining a committee, please contact the committee chair(s) listed below or Lisa Anthony (978.373.3861/office@TempleEmanu-El.org).
Adult Education Committee—Lynn Dreyfuss Martin, Chair
[email protected]
The Adult Education Committee arranges periodic programs for Sunday mornings with outside speakers who present on relevant or interesting Jewish topics while a light community breakfast is served. Adult education opportunities include weekly parashah study, Israel Chavurah, Hebrew reading, trope class, and parent study hours held during Religious School.
Antiracism Committee–Karen Godek, Chair
[email protected]
The recently formed Antiracism Committee works in partnership with our clergy, the Adult Education Committee, and HaSifriyah, as well as local interfaith partners, to schedule classes and discussion groups on topics related to antiracism and to to develop opportunities for advocacy and support for our Greater Merrimack Valley communities of color. If you're interested in joining in this important work, contact chair Karen Godek.
Budget Committee—Judd Nathan, Chair
[email protected]
The Budget Committee is responsible for the fiscal budget. Meetings are held in March to set the budget for the upcoming year.
Chesed Committee—Sharyn Russell, Chair
[email protected]
The Chesed (Kindness) Committee coordinates our congregation's response to provide comfort and support in times of need, such as birth, death, or illness. Our computerized volunteer system (Lotsa Helping Hands—LHH) has become a great resource in helping to coordinate our efforts. We welcome new committee members and new volunteers for LHH, as well as new ideas about spreading kindness. If you have a Chesed need, please contact Rabbi Ashira, Executive Administrator Lisa Anthony, or Sharyn Russell.
Dues Committee—Kevin Miller, Chair
[email protected]
We are a small group of individuals who are responsible for implementing the Religious School fees & Temple dues policies. We work with congregants in the strictest of confidentiality when a need arises for dues reductions.
Fundraising Committee—In need of chair
The purpose of this committee is to raise money for the general funding of the Temple. Unlike fundraising done by committees with specific interests, money raised by the Fundraising Committee helps the entire Temple and not just a particular area. The distribution of these funds is governed by the Temple's Executive Committee and Board of Directors.
Meetings are held on an as-needed basis, and all members of this committee are welcome to provide ideas for future fundraising events. Since fundraising involves contributions from others, and dues paid by members help to increase the Temple's funds, most activities are designed to attract new members and encourage them to participate in the life of the Temple.
HaSifriyah/The Jewish Community Library—Paula Breger, Librarian
[email protected]
The Library Committee is responsible for all aspects of library maintenance and operation, including acquiring, cataloging, and repairing library materials; conducting inventory; staffing the circulation desk (primarily during Religious School hours); hosting Religious School classes; and fundraising.
Investment Committee—Judd Nathan, Chair
[email protected]
This committee meets four times per year to evaluate and discuss the Temple's endowment funds. Guided by a professional manager, the committee buys and sells equities and bonds in order to maximize the Temple’s returns. It operates under the Prudent Man Law and attempts to balance the investments in the Temple's portfolio. There are currently two openings on the committee.
Membership Committee—Shelly Gladstein, Chair
[email protected]
We want our new members to feel as connected as we do to our Temple community. We reach out to prospective and new members. We host a few events during the year to enable our new members to meet our Temple community, including the welcome breakfast in September, Chanukah Shabbat service in December, and Temple picnic in the spring at Camp Tel Noar.
Join the Membership Committee and help us welcome new and prospective members. There is very little of a time commitment—perhaps an email or a phone call or two, or delivering a welcome basket. It is truly an exciting time to be a part of this committee.
Music Committee—Rachel Hanson, Chair
[email protected]
The Temple Emanu-El Music Committee will work to enrich our community through song, instruments, and performances. Responsibilities include selecting and planning for special guest performers for both the Religious School and adult education, as well as identifying new avenues to enrich the current Temple choir and more opportunities for music during Shabbat and holiday services throughout the year. Musical ability is not required to join the committee; join us if you feel connected to music in any way.
PTO—Alicia Korinow and Morry Korinow, Co-Chairs
[email protected] (Alicia)
[email protected] (Morry)
Our Temple Emanu-El Religious School PTO organizes and leads fundraising activities that help to monetarily support and expand the regular school curriculum. Past activities have included the annual basket auction as well as the book and artisan fair at Chanukah. The funds are used to support Family Connection classes, adult Torah classes, and field trips. Important relationships are forged between parents through the PTO. These relationships serve to enrich the friendships among our school families and expand the Jewish identity of our children. Volunteers are needed for this worthwhile committee.
Religious Practices Committee—Sandra Kassin Deardorff, Chair
[email protected]
The Religious Practices Committee meets periodically with the clergy to oversee the role of worship—services, ritual, and prayer—in the congregation and to support Jewish practices in all aspects of our lives. At times, the committee serves as a sounding board for the clergy; at other times, the committee serves as the congregation's messenger to the clergy for resolving issues, posing questions, or suggesting ideas for expanding the religious lives of our members. Members of the Religious Practices Committee have an opportunity to engage with the clergy and learn at a personal level how we can strive to make congregational and individual practice of Judaism meaningful for our members. The committee also develops ways to change and improve the ritual practices to enhance the experience for our members and to increase the cultural pride of our members in Judaism.
Religious School Committee—Shoshana Dodge, Chair
[email protected]
Members of the Temple Emanu El Religious School Committee are Temple community representatives to the supervising body of the Religious School. They have the responsibility to oversee the educational, social, and spiritual needs of the students and their families by working in a collaborative way with the Religious School administration and staff.
The mission of the Religious School Committee is to ensure quality of education for the students by supervising the curriculum, administration and teaching staff; fundraising to supplement the budget for educational enrichment; and providing ongoing support to the administration and teaching staff.
Social Action Committee—Andrew Connor, Chair
[email protected]
The Social Action Committee is looking for members to engage with the community at large in the Greater Merrimack Valley and southern New Hampshire. Actions might include broader involvement in interfaith community concerns; support for diversity groups across the spectrum of age, faith, gender, and income; involvement with local environmental issues; assistance to neighbors who struggle with food insecurity; or support for immigrants living and working in the region. While there is much that we could do, as a new committee, our first step will be to establish focus.
Social Committee—Scott Hannula, Chair
[email protected]
The committee organizes fun-filled family activities throughout the year. In the past, we have planned the Break-the-Fast, Chanukah Party, Indoor Picnic/Game Day, Jewish Pride Night at the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, and Jewish Heritage Night at the Red Sox. Whether you are a new or long-time member, this is a great way to jump in, have fun, and get involved.
Adult Education Committee—Lynn Dreyfuss Martin, Chair
[email protected]
The Adult Education Committee arranges periodic programs for Sunday mornings with outside speakers who present on relevant or interesting Jewish topics while a light community breakfast is served. Adult education opportunities include weekly parashah study, Israel Chavurah, Hebrew reading, trope class, and parent study hours held during Religious School.
Antiracism Committee–Karen Godek, Chair
[email protected]
The recently formed Antiracism Committee works in partnership with our clergy, the Adult Education Committee, and HaSifriyah, as well as local interfaith partners, to schedule classes and discussion groups on topics related to antiracism and to to develop opportunities for advocacy and support for our Greater Merrimack Valley communities of color. If you're interested in joining in this important work, contact chair Karen Godek.
Budget Committee—Judd Nathan, Chair
[email protected]
The Budget Committee is responsible for the fiscal budget. Meetings are held in March to set the budget for the upcoming year.
Chesed Committee—Sharyn Russell, Chair
[email protected]
The Chesed (Kindness) Committee coordinates our congregation's response to provide comfort and support in times of need, such as birth, death, or illness. Our computerized volunteer system (Lotsa Helping Hands—LHH) has become a great resource in helping to coordinate our efforts. We welcome new committee members and new volunteers for LHH, as well as new ideas about spreading kindness. If you have a Chesed need, please contact Rabbi Ashira, Executive Administrator Lisa Anthony, or Sharyn Russell.
Dues Committee—Kevin Miller, Chair
[email protected]
We are a small group of individuals who are responsible for implementing the Religious School fees & Temple dues policies. We work with congregants in the strictest of confidentiality when a need arises for dues reductions.
Fundraising Committee—In need of chair
The purpose of this committee is to raise money for the general funding of the Temple. Unlike fundraising done by committees with specific interests, money raised by the Fundraising Committee helps the entire Temple and not just a particular area. The distribution of these funds is governed by the Temple's Executive Committee and Board of Directors.
Meetings are held on an as-needed basis, and all members of this committee are welcome to provide ideas for future fundraising events. Since fundraising involves contributions from others, and dues paid by members help to increase the Temple's funds, most activities are designed to attract new members and encourage them to participate in the life of the Temple.
HaSifriyah/The Jewish Community Library—Paula Breger, Librarian
[email protected]
The Library Committee is responsible for all aspects of library maintenance and operation, including acquiring, cataloging, and repairing library materials; conducting inventory; staffing the circulation desk (primarily during Religious School hours); hosting Religious School classes; and fundraising.
Investment Committee—Judd Nathan, Chair
[email protected]
This committee meets four times per year to evaluate and discuss the Temple's endowment funds. Guided by a professional manager, the committee buys and sells equities and bonds in order to maximize the Temple’s returns. It operates under the Prudent Man Law and attempts to balance the investments in the Temple's portfolio. There are currently two openings on the committee.
Membership Committee—Shelly Gladstein, Chair
[email protected]
We want our new members to feel as connected as we do to our Temple community. We reach out to prospective and new members. We host a few events during the year to enable our new members to meet our Temple community, including the welcome breakfast in September, Chanukah Shabbat service in December, and Temple picnic in the spring at Camp Tel Noar.
Join the Membership Committee and help us welcome new and prospective members. There is very little of a time commitment—perhaps an email or a phone call or two, or delivering a welcome basket. It is truly an exciting time to be a part of this committee.
Music Committee—Rachel Hanson, Chair
[email protected]
The Temple Emanu-El Music Committee will work to enrich our community through song, instruments, and performances. Responsibilities include selecting and planning for special guest performers for both the Religious School and adult education, as well as identifying new avenues to enrich the current Temple choir and more opportunities for music during Shabbat and holiday services throughout the year. Musical ability is not required to join the committee; join us if you feel connected to music in any way.
PTO—Alicia Korinow and Morry Korinow, Co-Chairs
[email protected] (Alicia)
[email protected] (Morry)
Our Temple Emanu-El Religious School PTO organizes and leads fundraising activities that help to monetarily support and expand the regular school curriculum. Past activities have included the annual basket auction as well as the book and artisan fair at Chanukah. The funds are used to support Family Connection classes, adult Torah classes, and field trips. Important relationships are forged between parents through the PTO. These relationships serve to enrich the friendships among our school families and expand the Jewish identity of our children. Volunteers are needed for this worthwhile committee.
Religious Practices Committee—Sandra Kassin Deardorff, Chair
[email protected]
The Religious Practices Committee meets periodically with the clergy to oversee the role of worship—services, ritual, and prayer—in the congregation and to support Jewish practices in all aspects of our lives. At times, the committee serves as a sounding board for the clergy; at other times, the committee serves as the congregation's messenger to the clergy for resolving issues, posing questions, or suggesting ideas for expanding the religious lives of our members. Members of the Religious Practices Committee have an opportunity to engage with the clergy and learn at a personal level how we can strive to make congregational and individual practice of Judaism meaningful for our members. The committee also develops ways to change and improve the ritual practices to enhance the experience for our members and to increase the cultural pride of our members in Judaism.
Religious School Committee—Shoshana Dodge, Chair
[email protected]
Members of the Temple Emanu El Religious School Committee are Temple community representatives to the supervising body of the Religious School. They have the responsibility to oversee the educational, social, and spiritual needs of the students and their families by working in a collaborative way with the Religious School administration and staff.
The mission of the Religious School Committee is to ensure quality of education for the students by supervising the curriculum, administration and teaching staff; fundraising to supplement the budget for educational enrichment; and providing ongoing support to the administration and teaching staff.
Social Action Committee—Andrew Connor, Chair
[email protected]
The Social Action Committee is looking for members to engage with the community at large in the Greater Merrimack Valley and southern New Hampshire. Actions might include broader involvement in interfaith community concerns; support for diversity groups across the spectrum of age, faith, gender, and income; involvement with local environmental issues; assistance to neighbors who struggle with food insecurity; or support for immigrants living and working in the region. While there is much that we could do, as a new committee, our first step will be to establish focus.
Social Committee—Scott Hannula, Chair
[email protected]
The committee organizes fun-filled family activities throughout the year. In the past, we have planned the Break-the-Fast, Chanukah Party, Indoor Picnic/Game Day, Jewish Pride Night at the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, and Jewish Heritage Night at the Red Sox. Whether you are a new or long-time member, this is a great way to jump in, have fun, and get involved.