2024 Annual Meeting and Report
B'nai Havurah relies on the participation of our members in every facet of our operation and attendance at our Annual Meeting is one of the most important functions of our membership. This year, our Annual Meeting was held on Sunday, June 23rd at B'nai East. Our Boarsd Chair, Dr. Dave Gordon, wants to hear from you! For more information about this, scroll to the bottom of this page.
Board Chair, Dr. David Gordon, answers your Annual Meeting questions!
We asked and then you asked also! Thank you to everyone who submitted a question for our Board Chair either at the Annual Meeting last month, or here online.
Click here to see Dave answer all of your questions.
Looking for an answer on a specific topic?
Click below to hear Dave's answers to specific questions on the topics of:
For a transcript of the video, please click here.
Annual Report Message from Rabbi Katie
It was a tough start. We were not even through the full High Holy Day season when October 7th propelled us into months of heartbreak, anger, fear and existential questions about what it means to be Jewish.
With such a backdrop, you might expect that B’nai Havurah would have had a very difficult year as an organization, but through wise leadership, courage and compassion, we have managed to grow and thrive. Rather than seeking conformity of thought, we have sought to expand our capacity to listen and connect, even when we disagree. This approach has held us together and served the needs of our members while attracting new folks who have not seen such forums elsewhere.
Even with the challenging circumstances, we created amazing celebrations for Hannukah, Purim, Passover and more. We have learning circles running weekly and monthly. Shabbat services have grown. Interest groups have been forming and going strong. Tot shabbat has burst beyond the confines of its physical space. Our Year of Learning brought in incredible teachers as well as supporting the revival of our community retreat. All the while, we have been supporting and celebrating with our members through life’s joys and sorrows.
Our physical spaces have also seen great progress. The lease got officially signed at B’nai West, and the plans for renovating B’nai East are moving along. The garden planted by our Sustainability Group has taken off in its second season, gracing every visitor with the colorful beauty of native flowers.
For me one highlight was in January, when we took a moment to bless my beginning at B’nai with an “installation” that celebrated not just this chapter, but the whole history and character of B’nai Havurah, and its deep Reconstructionist roots as Rabbi Deborah Waxman, leader of our movement, came to officiate.
Through it all, the biggest blessings have been the people - new faces and longtimers alike. Behind all of our programs and successes are vibrant volunteers offering time and skill. Laura and Hannah have added such heart, creativity and grounded experience to our staff team. Each new member I’ve spoken to has commented that B’nai Havurah has been unusually welcoming and warm. As I think back on a very full year, I continue to be moved by the intelligence, kindness, down to earth spirit and generosity of our beloved community. May we all be blessed for a year ahead of continued growth, learning, and connection!
-Rabbi Katie Mizrahi
Letter from our Chair of the Board of Trustees, Dr. Dave Gordon
To everyone in the B’nai Havurah community,
As I reflect on my first year as Chair of our Board of Trustees, I am filled with excitement and gratitude for the journey we've shared at B’nai Havurah. Alongside Rabbi Katie, our dedicated staff, and tireless volunteers, we've navigated a year marked by celebration and growth, meeting challenges with resilience, dialogue, and the unwavering support of our community.
This year underscored the vital role of B’nai Havurah in our lives. Our annual meeting and this report will highlight many special features. I want to express deep appreciation for two significant additions to our team this past year: Laura Intfen, who joined as Director of Administration in June 2023, bringing exceptional leadership and positivity to everything she does; and Hannah Niederman, our dynamic Youth and Family Community Organizer and office manager, whose energy and organization have been instrumental in our progress.
We've welcomed over 20 new households, including returning members, revitalizing our community with diverse perspectives and contributions. At services and events, both new and familiar faces enrich us with wisdom, compassion, and enthusiasm.
B'nai Havurah remains a beacon for connection, discussion, activism and spirituality. Now more than ever, your time, passion, and financial support are crucial to sustain our growth and impact. Thank you for being an integral part of our community. I look forward to another inspiring year ahead, filled with shared experiences and continued growth.
Warm regards,
Dr. Dave Gordon
Chair, Board of Trustees, B’nai Havurah
A Letter from our Music Director, Hal Aqua
2023 High Holiday services at B’nai West (Highlands Church) were well-attended and
community-building, and proof that the depth and seriousness of our High Holy Days can (and should) include many joyous and celebratory moments. Our high-energy closing Ne’ilah service on Yom Kippur in
particular, led by Rabbi Katie, reflected the idea that as Yom Kippur draws to a close, we can and should express gratitude and happiness that we made it through another year together.
Thanks as always to Carla Sciaky, Linda Treibitz, and Susan Spero for their great musical leadership and teamwork. Attendance at Shabbat services has been steadily growing, especially our monthly Tot Shabbat and Shabbat B’Yachad mornings at Highlands. B’nai also recently rolled out a pilot program called Kehillah Shabbat, a Covid-safe gathering with a commitment to building a more just world; check B’nai’s website for upcoming events on Friday and Saturday evenings.
As we continue to mentor and encourage our community’s next generation of music and prayer leaders, I’m happy to welcome two very skilled musicians to our team – Sarah Kaplan Gould and Ev Evnen, both of whom embody B’nai’s values of inclusivity, joyous prayer practice, and finding common ground
through music. If you haven’t met Sarah and Ev yet, come to services this summer and say hello!
–Hal Aqua
Board of Trustees 2024-2025 (July 1, 2024-June 30 2025)
Officers:
Dr. Dave Gordon, Chair
Alan Lazaroff, Chair Elect
Janet Sherman, Vice Chair of Administration
Mark Brown, Secretary
Linda Treibitz, Vice Chair Finance
Kate Tribbett, Vice Chair, Family &
Youth Engagement
Newly Elected Board members at large:
Wendy Berger
Priscilla Press
Continuing Board Members at Large:
Laurie Cohn
Debbie Gartenberg
Dan Prendergast
Lorrie Tishler
We are grateful for the gifts these volunteers shared as they step off of the Board this year:
Ben Honigman
Sharon Haber
Bob Stephens
Bill Goldberg
Staff Members and Clergy
Clergy:
Rabbi Katie Mizrahi
Staff:
Laura Intfen, Director of Administration
Hannah Goldner Niederman, Youth & Family
Community Organizer/ Office Manager
Hal Aqua, Music Director
Tamara Hertz, Special Projects
RJ Pena, Building Beautification
We Couldn’t Have Done Thi$ Without You!
This year, the B’nai community members generously volunteered to organize programs, work in the office, garden, kitchen, sanctuary and operations of the synagogue. Additionally, households and individuals made donations to B’nai, contributing over $112,000. These contributions directly support B’nai’s operating costs, as well as enabling us to sustain and upgrade our physical spaces at B’nai East on Ohio Ave and B’nai West, located at Highlands Church, and support our rich programming offerings.
B’NAI HAVURAH LEGACY MEMBERS
Including B'nai Havurah with a gift in your will, trust, retirement account, or life insurance policy is a lasting show of support. B'nai Chai members ensure that our Reconstructionist legacy continues for our children and our children's children. B'nai Havurah is a participating agency in Live On/Build Your Legacy, an initiative of Rose Community Foundation and the Grinspoon Family Foundation. To become a B'nai Chai Legacy member, please contact the B’nai office.
OUR ANNUAL EVENT
Last year’s event was a huge success as we shared a meal and an auction to fund the community’s commitment to family and youth connections by funding a part time position. This position has been filled by Hannah Niederman who has worked with our Youth and Education Committee to create a Teen Board, specified activities for families at all events and a growing population of participants in our monthly Tot Shabbat that is held at B’nai West.
Join us this year, as we gather on November 10 to honor Risa and Hal Aqua and celebrate the year ahead as B’nai looks forward to a bright future. Thank you to the Annual Event Committee led this year by Sally Stich.
OUR FINANCE COMMITTEE
Bob Stephens, Linda Treibitz, Marilyn Winokur and Ron Lepoff meet each Tuesday morning to keep on top of B’nai’s finances. From investments, to expenses, to reports, this team works diligently to make sure our community is financially sustainable and to do this work transparently. Details will be shared at the meeting.
ANNUAL GIFTS OF THE HEART
B'nai Havurah holds a long tradition of valuing the time, talents, and financial contributions of all members. In all things, we wish to be transparent and honest and to encourage individual choice and commitment to community. We are committed to providing our community with information about B’nai Havurah’s needs and budget and invite you to choose an annual gift that is based on your unique circumstances as well as a real understanding of your impact on our community, based on the guidelines provided on our website.
The Annual Gifts of the Heart financial income constitutes roughly 60% of our total operating budget each year. In other words - it’s REALLY important.
Belonging at B'nai Havurah is not a matter of paying mandatory dues. It's about connection, giving, receiving and showing up. We invite all of our members to give both financially and as volunteers to our congregation. These Gifts of the Heart are what make us a vibrant, healthy community.
Our Annual Gifts of the Heart financial goal for 2024 is over $320,000. It is not too late, at this midpoint of the year, to become a member of B’nai and contribute to our Annual Gifts of the Heart program or to add to the donation you have already given.
The B’nai Havurah community is generous, and we thank all of you who made contributions and generously shared your financial resources. We are grateful for all the gifts that B’nai Havurah receives.
Wonder what our committees have been up to?
Well, wonder no more! Click here to view updates from our B'nai Havurah committees.
Missed the meeting?
No worries! Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LB47yWpQ6ik