Committees

General Committee Information

Religious Practices Committee

This committee is always open to any congregant who would like to participate. We meet each month in the Rabbi’s office. If you would like to be part of working with the Rabbi and Sherry to make our services and holiday programs be the best, this is the committee for you!

Recharging after a long work week is always a pleasure at our Friday night Shabbat services and we can meet new people and catch up with old friends at the onegs. If you would like to help with this committee, please contact Clare at religiouspractices@tewaterford.org or Roberta in the Temple office.

For the latest Religious Practices Committee news CLICK HERE.

Religious School Committee

Temple Emanu-El’s Religious School Committee (RSC) serves as liaison between the Board of Trustees and the Religious School Administration. The goal is to address the evolving needs of the students and their families within the framework of the Temple’s overall mission.

Together, Rabbi Marc Ekstrand, Cantorial Soloist Sherry Barnes, the Religious School Administrator and other members of the Religious School Committee (a volunteer sampling of the school’s staff and parents) work together to aim to enhance the religious education experience for our students, their families and prospective students and members. Through the network between the Religious School Committee, the Board of Trustees, the Communications Committee and the Membership Committee, our Temple will no doubt be able to capitalize on great opportunities which arise through a strong dialogue between these groups.

We look for ways in which the religious school curriculum can create a sense of community at our Temple so more learning, varied experiences and connections can materialize across generations, not only among the children, but also between the families within our congregation and the greater community. If you would like to help with this committee, please contact Lisa at religiousschool@tewaterford.org or Roberta in the Temple office.

Membership Committee

The Membership Committee helps people who are unaffiliated with a synagogue find a spiritual home at Temple Emanu-El. Our job includes welcoming new members and ensuring that current members remain engaged within the temple community. Among other things, we organize dinners for our new and current members so they can get to know one another, and host open houses. Contact Armi at membership@tewaterford.org to get involved!

Fundraising Committee

The Fundraising Committee offers Temple Emanu-El members two paths to support and help the financial stability of the Temple. One opportunity is to participate, or even coordinate, special events. Over our history, these events have included the Cabaret, Progressive Dinners, Auctions, Purim, special honorary galas, and working at times with the Sisterhood, Brotherhood and other committees. The second path, for those who have the internal compass, is to raise money through personal contacts with other members. The most well-known event is our annual Travel Raffle. We can always utilize the networking capacity of individuals to reach out to others. Moreover, there are times when the Temple’s financial health is in need of strengthening. Anyone with the ability to contribute by assisting in personal fundraising is always beneficial.

Social Action Committee

On a daily basis, many of us serve and give of ourselves without fanfare or recognition. We are a caring and loving congregation that lives up to the highest ideals of Judaism. The role of the Social Action Committee is to stimulate and support the performance of mitzvot by our members, especially mitzvot that help others beyond the Temple community.

First, in tandem with the rabbi the committee monitors the Temple Mitzvah Fund and makes thoughtful recommendations for congregational donations and the distribution of funds. Among the questions the committee considers are: What allocation of funds best fulfills our values as a congregation? How can we help locally, regionally, nationally, and globally? What charities achieve the greatest level of benefit dollar per dollar? And how can we support the service and organizations in which our own members are investing their time, labor, and creativity?

Second, the committee also coordinates the year-round collection of grocery, drug store, and general store gift cards. While most of the cards are distributed during holiday periods, some are used for emergencies and ongoing needs throughout the year. Members are encouraged to donate cards at any time and to bring non-perishable food for the community Interfaith Food Locker.

Third, the committee promotes involvement in our core service activities as a congregation. We have a long-standing volunteer commitment to Habitat for Humanity and local soup kitchens and homeless shelters. Anyone who wants to help is more than welcome.

Finally, our committee runs a Temple Mitzvah Day, every spring. Look for details in the bulletin. Everyone is welcomed to attend and participate, including children

For the latest Social Action News Click Here.

Any member of the congregation may join the Social Action Committee. For more information, e-mail Karen at socialaction@tewaterford.org or contact Roberta in the Temple office.