Minutes of Vaad Menahel Meeting - February 14, 2007

Present: Penina Arbit, Randi Garber (chairpersons), Kobi Abelman, Jody Blum, Warren Burstein, Dov Cooper, Donna Goldberg, Yonni Hammer-Kossoy, Neil Pearlman, Daniel Rorlich, Bobbie Silberklang, Debbie Weissman, Philip Yakar (administrator)

Apologies: Simon Caplan, Esther Edell

Past events

Blood Drive

M.D.A. were happy with the event. 36 units of blood were donated, approximately half from Pardes students.

Tu B'Shvat

A small, but pleasant event; thanks were expressed to Debbie Greiniman for the organization of the evening, and to the Kedem band for the music.

Shabbat Iyun

Thanks were expressed to Rabbi David Golenkin for speaking at the Shabbat Iyun.

Future Events

Purim

Mishloach Manot forms have been sent out. The schedule was updated. Dov agreed to finalise it and get it printed. The policy of distributing 50% of the net income from the Mishloach manot campaign as matanot laevyonim was reendorsed.

Dina Winer Kahan is taking care of the megillah readers.

Shabbat Hagadol

The speaker (in Hebrew) will be Prof. Marc Brettler. A Kiddush murchav will be organized if possible outside.

Yom Haatzmaut

A speaker has yet to be found.

Yom Hashoah

Proposed to show the film "Amen" with a facilitated discussion afterwards. Debbie Weissman will ask Rabbi David Rosen to take this on.

Tikkun Leil Shavuot

Suggestions for names of speakers should be passed on to Debbie Greiniman.

Pesach

There is a bat-mitzvah on Shabbat, and kallat hasimchah will read Shir Hashirim. Seventh day there will be a women's reading.

The organization "Mishulchan leshulchan" is running a Chametz distribution programme. The Vaad requested confirmation that the Chametz would go to organizations that distribute to non-Jews before the Chag. If this is confirmed then Yedidya will take part.

Shavuot

A bat-mitzvah will read Megillat Rut.

Personnel Issues

Secretary

The Vaad approved the budget increase of 3,500 NIS for employing the secretary under new employment conditions, forced upon us by a change in government policy. Other necessitated budget changes will be implemented by the Finance Committee.

Av Bayit

The Vaad approved the payment of 2,000 NIS, accrued vacation pay.

General Employment Conditions

Recommendations for changes were brought by Dov Cooper, on behalf of himself and Marc Render.

- All regular workers (not youth workers) will be paid vacation and sick pay, the latter from day one of sick leave, against a doctor's certificate.

- All regular workers will receive written agreements, including job description, and terms of notice.

- No accrual of vacation days will be permitted. Any outstanding days will be paid at the end of the year.

Use of building

Tariff

Agreed to request differential donations from members, based on Shabbat and weekday events, since on weekdays we provide extra services.

The new sums are:

Shabbat - fewer than 50 people 200 NIS (previously 250)
Shabbat - more than 50 people  400 NIS (previously 500)
Weekday - fewer than 50 people 300 NIS (previously 250)
Weekday - more than 50 people  600 NIS (previously 500)

Members will be advised.

For non-members other, similar halls will be investigated. Agreed that the Finance Committee be empowered to fix a new tariff, based on the information gathered.

General

Hannah Levin was invited to join this discussion. She raised issues connected with use of the building and questions were answered.

Chairpeople and Treasurer

To date no candidates have come forward. Decided that the community needs to be made aware of the crisis, and an open meeting discuss the issue has been fixed for March 12th at 20:00 at Yedidya. Certainly there is a need for new blood on the Vaad.

Shabbaton

Donna reported on approaches to several places, but replies had not been received. Penina and Debbie Kalker visited Bet Alpha and the weekend after Pesach is available. Donna and Debbie are asked to work on this together. The price cannot exceed 650-750 NIS.

Date of next meeting

21.03.07 at 20:00.

Miscellaneous

Rasham Haamutot - Nihul Takin

We have received a letter from the Rasham claiming we have a large deficit and demanding we implement a 3 year programme to reduce the deficit. A letter has been sent claiming their conclusions are not correct, and a letter from our accountant attached.

Banner

The purchase of a banner for events, at a cost of 550 NIS + VAT, was approved.


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