• Call To Order (Charlie Valan) called to order at 8pm
  • Minutes Approval From 12/10/23 Mid-Year Meeting
    • Motioned to approve by Howard – approved
  • D’Var Torah (Rabbi Wolkoff) – rabbi provided d’var torah regarding parsh about the spies being sent into Land of Israel and the result that had us wandering in the desert for 40 years.
  • Rabbi’s Report (Rabbi Wolkoff)
    • Upcoming next year:
      • Wednesday lunch classes studying Book of Proverbs
      • Evening Lectures over course of year
        • 25 Years since 2nd intifada
        • 2 Lectures on Human Rights from a Jewish Perspective
      • Sundays – once or twice a month – brunches where we will be doing an education prayer service or an Everything You Wanted to Know… Also current events
      • Prayer Lessons – approaching 200th prayer lesson. Going to try compile that into a book that will be available in sanctuary
      • Enhance programs that we have with organizations such as JNF, Friends of the IDF and Lone Soldiers.
      • Develop a relationship with Zionists, progressive organization
      • Two projects:
        • Wants to get a plaque honoring all children of congregation who have become lone soldiers
        • Some sort of airtag system such that if someone loses something in the synagogue, we will be able to detect it via one of our computers and find it
    • Questions
      • Will you be returning to Monro? Yes
  • Cantor’s Report (Cantor Rockman)
    • Cantor read a statement
      • regarding hiring of new Religious School Director
      • plans for the upcoming year including
        • Sons of Tikvah
        • L’dor Vador
        • extending b’nai mitzvah training to entire congregation
  • Executive Director’s Report (Lesley Lewkowicz)
    • Charlie announced Lesley is officially Executive Director and signed on for 3 more years
    • Keyfob reminder
    • Thanks to Gottesmans for new desk and office supplies – and thanks to others who have contributed over year
    • Thanks to Seidmans and Wistreichs for Blood Drive support
    • Thanks to Bonnie Stevens for her support in the office
  • Vice Presidents’ Reports:
    • VP Admin – Keven Klein
      • Thanks for everyone’s support
      • Roof has been replaced
      • HVAC in system will be replaced in the next few weeks
      • Please support Shomrei Tikvah
      • See something, say something. If you see a door open, secure it.
    • Ritual – Gordon Heit
      • Gave a brief description of what the Ritual committee does
    • School and Youth – Scott Kessler
      • Thanks to Cantor Rockman for all his work over the years
      • Happy with direction RS is headed
      • Welcome to Mike who will be co-vp with Melissa next year
      • Numbers of Enrollment
        • Projections is around 30 students, 2/3rds in our youngest grades
    • WAM – Amanda Uniman and Steve Juro
      • Successful year getting people back in building and raising funds
      • Thanks to Cindy Gittleman and Danny Greenberg, who are stepping down from WAM (but staying on the board)
      • Tremendously Successful Gala – excellent committee that worked well together. Working towards a gala next march
      • Some ideas to look forward to:
        • Beginners Maj Jonh
        • CBT Talent Show
        • New Themes for Shabbat Dinner
          • Breakfast Dinner
          • Shabbat di Maio
          • Shabbarbbq
        • Bingo (one night only)
        • Group trip to State Theatre for Joseph
      • Two events to finish out year
        • Walking tour of lower east side 6/30
        • Wine Tasting – 7/18
      • Questions
        • What are we doing to repay reserves and not rely on a single fundraising event?
          • Higher goal for a single event
          • We have a volunteer who is willing to put together a another, mid-size fundraising event – a comedy night
          • Will be trying again to get the mega 50-50
          • WAM is actively trying to address having a more than one fundraising event
          • Also worked towards reducing the cost of Shabbat dinners as well as offering sponsorships
  • Sisterhood Report (Meryl Heit)
    • Did a paint event
    • Compiled and distributed Purim baskets
    • Ran a socks drive
    • Almost finished with collection of Eclipse glasses that will be shipped to an organization that will send them to children in Latin America
    • Working on a school supply collection – basket outside synagogue office or send check to Sisterhood
    • Honey from the Heart details will appear shortly
    • Paid up Brunch will be November 3, 2024
  • Men’s Club Report (Steve Chernela)
    • June 10th event – 4 college students spoke about what is going on since October 7 – wonderful event
    • Yellow candles
    • Question:
      • How many checks received for candles (answer in last HaKol)
  • Presentation of the Proposed Board Slate FY 2024-2025 (Kim Riemann)
    • Kim made a motion, “to accept the slate as presented on website and in meeting packets.”A
    • Slate approved
  • Financial Secretary’s Report (Larry Cohen)
    • Thanks to Lesley for conversion of billing system
    • Questions
      • For security – is there another round of applications for security grants. Charlie: we applied for another 150K security grant. Will find out hopefully by October.
      • Linda K – thanks everyone who works hard to keep synagogue safe
      • Current membership – around 290
      • Does not know current dues paying equivalents
  • Treasurer’s Report (Andy Ross)
    • Switched bank from BoA to PNC
    • Borrowed $50K for HvAC but will repay within 3-4 months
    • Getting line of credit which can only be used for capital items
    • Gala netted $50K over what was budgeted. Thanks to Ruth Anne and Lesley for work in soliciting Angels
    • We now have Zell
  • Presentation of the Budget FY 2024-25 (Gary Wesalo – Chair, Budget Committee)
    • Security Assessment is in its own account, not comingled, $80 per person or $160 per family, max
    • $54 dues increase – proportioned to your dues
    • Went through each line item over $1000 explaining
    • Questions
      • New dues for full dues paying will be $2804
      • United Synagogue – we now revert to the full amount since negotiated amount ended this year
      • Do we make money off scrip? Gary estimates about $4000
      • Examples of Ritual Expenses – High Holiday baby sitting, food we serve, streaming costs, Judaica,

Steve and Steve motioned and seconded the budget. Budget approved

  • New Business
    • RuthAnne presented Charlie with a gift
  • Good and Welfare (Rabbi Wolkoff)
    • Get list from Rabbi
    • Bill Greenberg publicly thanked Laura W for all her social action work and Steve Katz for his work with Men’s Club bringing business in
    • Laura Waksman – Happy Birthday to Ann Gold who turned 90 this month
  • President’s Report (Charlie Valan)
    • Charlie gave a thank you speech
  • Adjournment – motion to adjourn at 10:15 pm – Howard and seconded by Ann at