Committees & Initiatives
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.
Click the arrow to view contact information and recent updates for our committees and initiatives.
ADULT EDUCATION
Adult Education organizes opportunities for the congregation to study together, from after-kiddush talks (may they come again speedily in our days), to Scholars in Residence, evening classes, and regular torah study and talmud study sessions. Help us come up with ideas for new classes and talks and then make them happen!
chair
Joel Gerwein
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Current News
Check out our calendar for the Torah Study schedule.
Make sure to check out the calendar for new classes.
ANTIRACISM INITIATIVE
The Antiracism Initiative is a group of members dedicated to addressing social and economic injustice through anti-racist learning and action. It is a community-wide project rooted in the question, “What does it mean to be an antiracist synagogue?” The initiative is led by a Coordinating Team which is accountable to the Board and guided by a Community Council.
Coordinating Team
Shosh Blachman, Joshua Diamant, Judith Radousky and Deborah Yager.
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Current News
A five-session course on reparations starts Sunday April 18th. 3:00 – 5:30 P.M. PT 4/18;4/25; 5/2; 5/16; 5/23. This class examines the History, spiritual, conceptual, and practical dimensions of reparations. More details and link to registration: https://grassrootsreparations.org/reparations-course
Toward a Jewish, Anti-Racist Reading of Biblical Texts with Rabbi Rebecca Joseph
Five Mondays, April 12th, 19th, 26th, May 3rd, 10th. 7:30-8:45pm (via zoom)
Each session examines an aspect of anti-racist practice through the study of biblical texts from multiple perspectives. Topics will include: You shall not oppress a stranger, the Cushite woman, Book of Ruth pt. 1, Book of Ruth pt. 2. Rabbi Dr. Rebecca Joseph is a master educator and independent consultant with extensive experience in social justice. She holds a PhD in Anthropology from the University of California – San Diego, and rabbinic ordination from the Jewish Theological Seminary. Click here for more info and to register! Click here to join meeting.
CNS Reparations Project
Anyone interested in this project is welcome to attend. Discussion will cover local options for reparation projects, among other things. Contact Robin Braverman at robinbravermanassociates@gmail.com for more information and for the meeting link. The next meeting is on April 18th, 7:30-9:30pm.
Do you have an idea for an anti-racism project? Submit a proposal to the Antiracism Coordinating Team.
CHEVRA KADISHA (“sacred community” that cares for the dead and mourners)
CLIMATE TZEDEK
Climate Tzedek is a coordinating committee that works to engage our Congregation Netivot Shalom community to address the climate crisis and promote environmental justice.
COVID CHESED
Coordinator
Elana Naftalin-Kelman
COVID-19 RESPONSE TEAM
TEAM
Brenda Goldstein, Darci Smith, Katya Gerwein, Lynne Yellenberg, R. Chai Levy, Tamar Fendel
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CHRONIC PAIN SUPPORT GROUP
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DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
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, then you may enjoy serving on this committee to get to know others and help them give back to our community.
Co-chairs
Betsy Ross and Jonathan Stern
FINANCE COMMITTEE
This committee oversees the monetary health of CNS. This includes 1) monitoring current payables and receivables; 2) helping formulate and monitor the annual budget; 3) develop and approve financial policies and procedures; 4) participate in strategic/longer-range planning for the synagogue; and special projects (such as the evaluation of solar panels)
GEMILUT HASADIM (“bestowing kindnesses” such as caring for the ill)
Combined with Bikur Cholim. Provides meals, rides, visits, calls, etc. to members who need help.
MEMBERSHIP EXPERIENCE TEAM (“Mikdash”)
Mikdash creates positive member experiences and strengthens relationships in our community. During the coronavirus pandemic, Mikdash works to maintain our connections through creative and relational experiences for our community.
RETREAT COMMITTEE
This committee is in dormancy right now due to Covid-19.
RITUAL COMMITTEE
This committee discusses issues related to how ritual services/events operate and organizes volunteers to help coordinate these events.
Coordinators
Alice Webber (Torah Reading), Cynthia Whitehead (Drash), Eugene Berg (Davening)
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SECURITY AND ACCESS COMMITTEE
The SAC’s mission is to enable all members, guests, and staff of the CNS community to feel safe, secure, and welcome, and that the building should be available to be used for all appropriate activities.
CHAIR
Rose Falanga
Email Us
securitycomm@netivotshalom.org
CURRENT NEWS
Current priorities: updated emergency protocols for those using the building, planning for security improvements, including a new emergency exit path to Addison Street, resuming Incident Command System training, fundraising. We are looking for a few new SAC members to help us with those tasks.
V‘ZOT YISRAEL (“and this is Israel”)
The V’zot Yisrael committee is dedicated to educating our membership about all aspects of Israeli society to foster understanding and connection between our two homelands: Israel as the home to 45% of world Jewry, and the United States as the home to 45% of world Jewry.
Co-Chairs
Dorothea Dorenz and Art Braufman
Email Us
vezotyisrael@netivotshalom.org
Current News
Attend our monthly events on the first Sunday of the month.
Check the calendar to keep up with our other programs, such as film and lecture discussions.
Book Group meets on the second Tuesday of every other month from 7:30-9pm to discuss books by Israeli authors. Click here to see a list of books that we have read. Click here to see suggestions for future book readings.
Chug Ivrit meets the first and third Sunday of every month from 4-5:30pm.
YOUNG ADULTS
A home for progressive young adults with opportunities to serve, learn, and connect. For folks 18 and over.
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Current News
Sign up for our email updates here, and check out and follow our Facebook page for current event information. We are recruiting new committee members too, email us to help shape our beautiful community!