BUILDING, EQUIPMENT, HOUSE & GROUNDS

  • Sanctuary – Replaced lighting in Sanctuary with brighter and more cost efficient LED lighting.
  • Social Hall – All ceiling tiles in the Social Hall were replaced in November. New, brighter LED lighting was ordered and will replace existing lights. Classical Caterers will be installing dimmers for ceiling lights
  • Telephone System – We upgraded our old phone system to interbased service which reduced the overall cose, while also providing new and enhanced capabilities.
  • Internet – Thanks to Lesley, we were able to upgrade our Optimum Internet broadband capabilities while also significantly reducing costs
  • Fire code violations – North Brunswick fire marshall conducted our annual inspection in October. Violations were identified. Tenants (Classical Caterers and Chabad) have addressed their issues and received fire marshall approval. CBT was informed that both kitchens need fire suppression systems installed above the stoves. We have begun receiving estimates but, until installed, oil based food cannot be cooked on the stoves but boiling water and use of ovens are still permitted.

ADMINISTRATION

  • Meryl Replacement/Office Assistant – Lesley has been responsible for ALL office related activities and responsibilities as we have been unable to hire a full-time office assistant. An office assistant was hired in August but which did not work out. Thankfully, several members have volunteered to help Lesley.. Eventually hired Marci Abschutz as Office Assistant on a part-time basis starting on November 1.
  • Cheder Lease – Still in the process of finalizing the new lease with a 12/31/22 target finalization date. Jeff Schwartz is leading this effort and has had numerous discussions with Chabad and our lawyers. We are in a good place now to close this out by end of year. We are currently operating under the extension clause of their old lease and Chabad has been paying us rent since September. .
  • High Holidays – High Holiday preparation is always a stressful time as there is a lot of things that need to been done in a short amount of time in order to prepare the shul. We were very lucky to have had such a large crew of volunteers come out to setup charis in the sacntuary, cut apples, switch prayer books, setup the welcoming and and setup the outside tent this year in less than 6 hours.  A special thanks to Kevin Krane who coordinated the setting up of chairs in the sanctuary and Barry Safeer who coordinated the Tent outside for Junior and Family Congregation in addition to the following individuals:
    • Brian Berness
    • Craig Cohen
    • Emma Cohen
    • Sharon Cohen
    • Gordon Heit
    • Terry Katz
    • Melissa Kessler
    • Dave Kozodoy
    • Bruce London
    • Jackie Master
    • Tom Peters
    • Liam Rosen
    • Rochelle Rosen
    • Joella Sperber
    • Charlie Valan
    • Jason Zwillman

I also want to heap praise for both Lesley and Julio for their immense dedication and help in preparing for our High Holiday events as well as the funeral of Ruth-Anne. There are simply too many extra things they did to list here but we should all be thankful we have them.

SECURITY

  • Security Training: Marty Zweig has reached out to NB police multiple times about getting situational awareness and active shooter training and am still awaiting a response.
  • Signage – Lesley waiting on feedback from security company. I am waiting to hear back from a hunting video company to determine it’s feasibility.
  • Security Grant – We were not awarded a Homeland Security grant this year. We did not do anything wrong or incomplete. Rather, priority this year was given to organizations which did not receive a grant previously (we received one last year). We will be applying again next year. Leadership has attended session
  • Motion sensors that automatically unlock external doors when you walk up to them have been temporarily disabled as recommended by Homeland Security. These will eventually be permanently disabled after additional enhancements have been made to our system.
  • Due Dilligance – This is a reminder that all members play a role in temple security.If you see something or someone suspicious, say something. Reach out to Lesley (during office hours) or Marc, Charlie or Marty Zweig outside office hours. If you see suspicious activity outside our building, please contact the North Brunswick police then inform temple leadership. With anti-semitic incidents on the rise, we can never be too careful these days.

UPCOMING IN 2ND HALF

  • Security Training: We looking for North Brundswick Police to faciliate security training sessions, first for religious school and office staff, then open to the rest of the congregation. Marty Zweig will be developing an initial plan for religious school using panic buttons and walkie-talkies by the end of this month. In addition, a few security team members will be attending an workshop on Emergency Operations Planning on December 6..
  • Security – We plan to enhance our security system by adding additional Key FOB sensors, expanding video coverage of our entire property through addition of more surveillance cameras, shutting down door sensors at all doors per Homeland Security recommendations. Will need to press the button in order to exit the building.
  • Storage Areas – We will be looking to improve our need and utilization of storage in the building. This includes inventorying all current storage space and currently stored items and working with appropriate groups to reduce storage need. As part of this, we will look to sell any items which we no longer need. Dave Kozodoy has agreed to help figure out how to do this via the temple Facebook page.
  • Repairs – Multiple repairs will be addressed including replacing both broken faucets in the Main kitchen, fixing toilets and faucets in rest rooms, repairing HVAC systems and other items in school wing due to normal wear and tear on building.