January Board Report
During its January 10 meeting, the board received an update on the Afghan refugee project from Susan Auerbach of the Social Justice Committee. She discussed efforts to furnish an apartment for the family, expected to arrive as soon as late January. She said that the team is looking for additional "core group" members as well as other volunteers, including those with skills in the areas of social work, Farsi language, and employment counseling. Andrea Mark provided an update on the Strategic Planning effort, describing the exhaustive process being undertaken. They plan to propose a strategic plan in June. Sandy Hartford, co-chair of the Centennial planning committee, provided an update on the Centennial, detailing that various events are being postponed due to the recent COVID surge. Joseph Johnson, synagogue treasurer, stated that he was planning on requesting the L Dor V’dor foundation fund to provide 90% of the interest earned over the past year to the synagogue's general fund. He also updated the board on the year-end matching funds campaign.
An opportunity was provided for congregant input. The board congratulated Edith Taylor on receiving a Federation award for Volunteer of the Year, and her upcoming birthday. Jesse Duker objected to the synagogue’s recent decision, due to the recent COVID surge, to cancel the in-person, community celebration of Tu Bishvat, which had been planned to take place at Eaton Canyon Natural Area, and to replace it with a “Judaism in the home” event. Duker expressed an intent to make a motion at the next meeting to establish that outdoor synagogue events cannot be made virtual-only without board approval.
Respectfully submitted by Joseph B. Widman, Secretary.
