Netivot Shalom has a wide range of programs and a diverse membership that welcome your participation!
If you haven’t already joined us for services or one of our classes, we invite you to do so. One of our great strengths is the active participation of our members in all aspects of congregational life. We are a participatory, egalitarian congregation. Members lead services, plan classes and events, give drashot, and celebrate Shabbat, festivals, and lifecycle events together in our homes and at shul. This list of our committees and initiatives provides an overview of the many opportunities to participate in our community.
ADULT EDUCATION
Joel Gerwein, Chair
[email protected]
Adult Education Committee organizes opportunities for the congregation to study together, from After-Kiddush Talks, to Scholars in Residence weekends, evening classes, and regular Torah study and Talmud study sessions.
Have an idea for a new class or talk that you want to make happen? Contact us, to discuss.
CHEVRA KADISHA
Mary Breiner, Chair
[email protected]
Our Chevra Kaddisha is a place to turn for help planning both the traditional ritual burial and the journey of comfort for the surviving family. The members see to it that, when death occurs, preparation for burial and comfort for mourners are handled with love and respect.
Learn more here
CLIMATE TZEDEK
Mark Schlosberg and Ariel Gold, Co-Chairs
[email protected]
Climate Tzedek is a coordinating committee that works to engage our Netivot Shalom community to address the climate crisis and promote environmental justice. We work to support education and action at the household, synagogue, local, state, national and international level to cut greenhouse gas emissions, with the goal of moving off of fossil fuels. This includes promoting a fair and just transition to 100% renewable energy and engaging in a range of other actions that nurture healthy and sustainable communities and ecosystems. Climate justice issues are also racial justice issues, and we do this work as Jewish anti-racists.
DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE (Fundraising & Outreach)
Jonathan Stern, Chair (Capital Campaign)
[email protected]
Capital Campaign
Josh Gressel, Chair (Legacy Gift)
[email protected]
Legacy Program
Our community is stronger when we all participate. Our committee fosters connections by reaching out to our community to encourage support and encourage participation. Members of the congregation are encouraged to renew and to get involved. If you like getting to know our members and inspiring those to give back to their community, then you may enjoy serving on this committee. In addition, the Legacy Program Chair works in concert with the Development Committee.
FINANCE COMMITTEE
David Radwin, Chair
[email protected]
This committee oversees the monetary health of CNS. This includes: monitoring current payables and receivables, helping formulate and monitor the annual budget, develop and approve financial policies and procedures with a focus on strategic, longer-range planning for the synagogue and other special projects, as they arise.
GEMILUT HASADIM
Susan Lawrence, Chair
Herb Brosbe, Sarah Rose Leonard and Terry Becker, Co-chairs
[email protected]
Gemilut Hasadim “bestowing kindnesses”, such as caring for the ill. CNS volunteers provides meals, rides, visits, calls, etc., to members who need help.
Current News
HOUSE COMMITTEE
Serena Heaslip, Coordinator
[email protected]
Andrea Altschuler, Greeters’ Coordinator
[email protected]
A great committee to be a part of – no meetings, no agendas! Just be on hand before, during, and after services every now and then to help open the building, set up chairs, etc.
RETREAT COMMITTEE
David Gill and Emily Dirksen, Co-Chairs
[email protected]
Over three days and two nights, we celebrate Shabbat together and engage in a wide variety of activities, social events, and learnings for all ages and families. It’s a chance to connect with old friends and make new ones!
Help plan Netivot Shalom’s next retreat scheduled for Spring 2028!
RITUAL COMMITTEE
Ron Sires, Chair
[email protected]
COORDINATORS
Alice Webber (Torah Reading/Leining)
[email protected]
Janet Sternfeld David (Drash)
[email protected]
Eugene Berg (Davening)
[email protected]
Jacob Richards (Gabbai)
[email protected]
This committee discusses issues related to how ritual services and events operate, including organizing volunteers to help coordinate these events.
SECURITY & ACCESS COMMITTEE (SAC)
Lynne Yellenberg, Chair
[email protected]
The mission of the Security and Access Committee (SAC) is to enable all members, guests, and staff of the CNS community to feel safe, secure and welcome.
We oversee:
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- Improvements to the physical security of the building
- Provide advice and consultation
- Develop policy and procedures
- Train for emergency response
- Assess needs as they arise
- Grant writing
Completing emergency protocols for those using the building; planning future security improvements, including a new emergency exit path to Addison Street. We’ve resumed Incident Command System training.
We are looking for a few new SAC members to help us with these tasks.
V‘ZOT YISRAEL (“and this is Israel”)
Karen Pliskin, Chair
[email protected]
The V’zot Yisrael Committee is dedicated to educating the CNS community about all aspects of life in Israel through the presentation of Israeli films, After-Kiddush Talk guest speakers and in the V’Zot Yisrael Book Group Discussion. Through our observance of Yom Atzmaot, Israel Independence Day, and Yom haZikaron, we honor the memory of those who fought in wars to defend Israel and to those who died in terror attacks. Our goal is to strengthen our understanding and ties to Israel, the homeland of the Jewish people.
Y’zot Israel Book Group: Literature is one of Israel’s most interesting and successful “exports.” Join us in reading a variety of Israeli authors — the discussion is lively and held on Zoom. Click here to see a list of books that we have read. Click here to see suggestions for future book readings.
Check the calendar to keep up with our other programs, such as film and lecture discussions.
YOUNG ADULTS
A home for progressive young adults with opportunities to serve, learn, and connect. For folks 18 and over.
Youth Education Committee
Sarah Lefton, Chair
The Youth Education Committee represents a cross-section of the congregation’s stakeholders in youth and family programming and education and serves as a liaison between the Youth and Family Programming Coordinator and the congregation. The committee acts as a sounding board and brainstorming group for developing program ideas. They help evaluate priorities and support the Coordinator in areas such as family engagement, recruitment, curriculum assessment, communications, event calendar, budget, and ritual life practice. The committee also supports fundraising efforts, as well as the implementation of youth and family events.
Coordinators (not listed above)
Honored Elders Group – Herb Brosbe
[email protected]
Kiddush – Tamar Fendel and Lynne Yellenberg
[email protected]
Library – Barbara Bibel and Sandra Gore
[email protected]
New Babies – Rabbi Chai Levy
[email protected]
Shabbat B’Yachad – Alex Diamant
[email protected]
Wednesday Morning Minyan – Ron Sires
[email protected]