Congregation Tikkun v'Or (Ithaca Reform Temple ) BOARD AND OFFICERS
The temple board and executive officers are voted in to office by congregation members at the annual temple meeting. The Temple Presidents are leaders of the Temple Board. The President calls meetings, solicits for agenda items, sets the agenda, and functions as facilitator at Board meetings. The President heads the Executive Committee of the Board broadly oversees the smooth function of the Temple. Details of these tasks and a monthly list of presidential duties are available.
The Executive officers oversee the smooth functioning of the temple and board.
WELCOMING AND MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE
The Welcoming and Membership Committee communicates with all prospective and new members. They hope that our friendly ways help you feel at home.
Our members embrace a wide spectrum of life choices — traditionally Jewish, long-time Reform participants, new to Judaism, interfaith and multi-cultural, gay and lesbian, families, children, young adults, parents, grandparents and singles; all who are interested in seeking a Reform Jewish community take part. Tikkun v’Or is affiliated with the Union of Reform Judaism (URJ, formerly UAHC) Northeast Council.
Membership entitles you to become part of a vibrant, active progressive Jewish community. Our dues schedule is designed to encourage each member to contribute his or her fair share of the financial obligations it takes to run a synagogue, but always takes into account individual financial ability.
An annual New Members Brunch occurs each autumn.
The Membership and Welcoming Committee is the first contact for those interested in temple membership. They send information packets, call and extend personal invitations to temple events, and provide opportunities for new members to meet each other and other members. Procedures for new contacts and inreach/outreach actions are available.
AVODAH COMMITTEE
The Avodah Committee plans Shabbat and holiday services and related programs. They work closely with our lay leaders and guest rabbis to create spiritually meaningful and enriching services.
Kabbalat Shabbat services are held every Friday evening (usually at 7:30 p.m.) followed by a Kiddush. This tradition provides an opportunity for people to socialize and get to know one another. Saturday morning Shabbat services are held at least once each month at 9:30 a.m. Special Contemplative services, healing services, and musical services are held throughout the year. Tot Shabbat, for young children and their families, are once each month at 6:30 pm. Holidays are observed as a community with services and celebrations.
The Avodah Committee advises the Board as to matters relating to religious services as well as make recommendations on service policies and practices. The Avodah Committee works with the service leaders on content of services and observance of specific holidays. Sometimes they work with temple members who want to lead a service.
There is a High Holiday to-do checklist, a "shalom and welcome" guide, and oneg hosting and Tot Shabbat guidelines.
Also available: Tikkun v’Or guidelines on planning a Jewish wedding, baby namings and brit milah, and funerals and mourning practices.
SOCIAL ACTION COMMITTEE
The Social Action Committee promotes awareness of social justice issues and urges the Congregation to take appropriate action. They provide legislative action information and may take stands on local or national issues. This committee moderates the Progressive Jewish Action listserv. They also sometimes offer guest speakers, as part of services or as separate events.
The Social Action Committee has also taken on a commitment to addressing local hunger issues, and collects food for the Kitchen Cupboard Pantry, volunteers at the pantry, and coordinates synagogue participation in making lunch donations for the Red Cross Friendship Center.
JEWISH EDUCATION COMMITTEE
The Jewish Education Committee is committed to providing learning opportunities for community members of all ages.
This year the adult education offerings will include 2 six-week courses of Essential Judaism, as well as a few short mini-courses.
Beginning Hebrew classes are frequently offered for those who wish to acquire basic Hebrew skills. We are always open to new ideas and topics.
Religious education in the Reform tradition is provided for children from pre-k through Confirmation. Pre-k through 7th grade meets on Sunday mornings from 9:30-12 noon at GIAC (Greater Ithaca Activities Center, Court St. at N. Albany, Ithaca.) Sixth grade students and seventh grade b’nai mitzvah students receive additional instruction during the week.
The Jewish Education Committee sets policies for the Religious School, discusses issues of administration and curriculum, and supervises the Religious School Director.
The job descriptions of the Religious School Director and Religious School teachers provide a comprehensive picture or roles and responsibilities of the JE Committee. A monthly list of responsibilities is available, as are the school curriculum, teachers’ and parents’ handbooks, and school policies (attendance, hiring practices, parent participation, emergency drills and emergency and/or cancellation procedures).
PROGRAM COMMITTEE
The Program Committee plans social programs for the temple community, especially the Annual Book Fair and Shabbat potluck dinners. Other programs include guest speakers and concerts.
BUILDING COMMITTEE
The Building Committee includes the following Sub committees:
- Art/Interior - Developing recommendations for donor recognition and other interior design issues
Usage/Rental - Working with recommended policies to create usable and accessible documents for appropriate rental use of our temple by members and non-members
- Operation/ Maintenance - Establishing documentation and schedule for routine and annual building needs
- Landscaping – Planning for decorative plantings in and around the temple
Finance Committee has primary responsibility for the annual budget development process and the development, review, and implementation of the investment policy. In addition, in cooperation with the Treasurer, the committee recommends overall financial policies and guidelines for the temple. These policies and guidelines relate to financial controls, ex-budget spending, capital spending, and other areas as assigned by the board of trustees. The chair of the committee attends board meetings and organizes the committee’s activities. The finance committee has an annual procedures calendar and follows financial guidelines from URJ.
Ad Hoc committees have included:
- NOMINATING COMMITTEE is the annual committee to recruit new members of the board.
- MITZVAH / CARING COMMITTEE
Congregation members are part of an extended family. If someone is sick or needs assistance of any kind, we help however we can. We bring a minyan together to sit shiva, offer meals to those who are ill, and joyously celebrate new babies and family occasions.
- The “Green Team” is a group exploring ways to be ecologically-minded in our temple kitchen and facilities. We now have washable kiddush cups, a collection of plates and mugs, compostable paper goods, and a compost bucket. Future plans include our own compost pile.
- Leadership / Future: a committee of former temple presidents who are exploring our next steps as a congregation, specifically as they pertain to finding a rabbi and/or expanding the building.
- Youth Committee (not currently in existence) plans programs for teens, in conjunction with JE programs (Rakevet and madrichim)
