The following report intends to highlight some of the more important work accomplished by the officers, trustees and committees during the past year. I continue to be amazed by the energy, enthusiasm and ideas of so many individuals who have made a commitment to Vassar Temple: people focused on making our sacred congregation so special. Some of the initiatives mentioned might have impact beyond that suggested by the sub-category title [organization, financial, communication, etc] under which they are found.

I can say with certainty that the leadership of this congregation has approached some very difficult challenges honestly, openly and with the congregation's best interest as its driving force. Once again there is little comfort knowing that, from a financial perspective, we face similar issues as do our fellow Reform and Conservative congregations around the nation. As with managing challenges in the past, we continue to respond sensibly, motivated by the strength of our convictions that Vassar Temple is a premier religious institution in this community. At 162 years, we are still attracting new members, spearheading uniquely inviting initiatives and proudly representing the Reform Jewish movement!

After reviewing the following report, you are welcome to get in touch with me with any questions, concerns or ideas which I will share with the incoming administration. Remember: Vassar Temple is your Temple.

Organization/Leadership

Your Temple officers worked tirelessly in the last two years. All successes were a function of their combined efforts, their courage and their willingness to work collaboratively for the sake of Vassar Temple. Collaboration amongst these caring, courageous and dynamic individuals led to thoughtful decision making, clear minded goal setting and successful policy making. Joined by the Trustees, these Temple leaders are to be applauded for their tremendous contribution to Vassar Temple. The individuals are:

President	Sandra Mamis
1st Vice President	Seth Erlebacher
2nd Vice President	Ed Garber
Treasurer	Brian Silverman
Secretary	Bob Abrams
Immediate Past President	Steve Turk
Trustees: Joanne Abraskin, Debbie Carbo, Barbara Chernack, Nan Genshaft**, Marge Groten, Emily Himelstein, Barbara Kram, David Lampell**, Linda Lant, Sandor Margolin, Lois Mendel Taylor, Lynda Morgenstern, Esther Reisman, Ken Scheer, Nadine Zaritsky **Executive Committee Member at Large

We have a limited number of paid staff. Rabbi Paul Golomb, Rabbi Shoshana Hantman and Cantorial Soloist Elisa Dugatkin with support from Joe Bertolozzi can take great pride in providing for the congregation's meaningful worship and educational opportunities. We are grateful for their hard work, continued commitment to our success and to their flexibility when attempting to meet the many and varied needs of our members.

Our office, custodial and kitchen personnel - Sandi Rugar, George Rugar and Laura Mercado, respectively - continue to work diligently on behalf of Vassar Temple. As much of their effort occurs behind the scenes , it is even more important to openly acknowledge their contribution to Temple life. Notably, Sandi Rugar was celebrated her 25 year anniversary with us this April.

Committee chairs were urged to submit reports of their activities on a monthly basis as a means of informing the officers and trustees of their activity and to help stimulate interactive planning.

All committee chairs were requested to comply with the constitutional mandate to provide an annual report to the board of the committee's year long activities; most chairs have complied.

As developed in a prior administration, all officers functioned as liaison to one or more committees providing guidance and support as needed.

Committee chairs serving over the course of last year did so with great enthusiasm. We are grateful for their commitment without which the Temple simply could not function.

Adult Education	Paul Golomb
Bulletin Staff:	Marianne Abrams, Doi Cohen, Susan Hecht
Cemetery	Chuck Kaufman
Finance	Brian Silverman
House	Howard Himelstein, David Lampell
Leadership Development	Ed Garber
Library	Art Groten
Membership	Perla Kaufman
Men's Club President	Bob Abrams
Music	Marge Groten/Bonnie Scheer
Personnel	Marsha Lowry
Publicity	Marian Schwartz, Doi Cohen
Pubic relations caucus	Bob Abrams
Religious School	Robin Peritz
Reyut	Sandra Mamis / Gayle Margolin
Ritual	Ron Rosen
Sisterhood President	Melissa Erlebacher
Social Action	Marian Schwartz
Social Programming	Marilyn Lampell
Tree of Life	Muriel Lampell
Use of Facilities	Marsha Lowry
Ways & Means	Emily Himelstein
Webmaster	Richard Lowry

Lou Lewis, recruited for a special project Chairman position spearheading the Torah Restoration Project, has been inspirational in his approach to this extraordinary endeavor. (see section labeled, “Study”)

A Leadership Retreat Initiative was developed by Ed Garber with input from the Union of Reform Judaism [URJ]. The goal of this effort is to build our volunteer and leadership cohort essential to the continued success of our Temple.

Under the direction of the Personnel Committee, formalized job descriptions for our paid, non clergy staff were developed. This is essential to allow the leadership an understanding of what that staff accomplishes on our behalf as well as serving as a platform for future decision making regarding the utilization of those individuals.

There has been a conscientious effort to participate in URJ programs and utilize all URJ materials in order to function most effectively and in keeping with Reform policy. Access to both is a tremendous benefit of our URJ membership.

During a fiscally challenging year our finance committee, trustees and officers have worked diligently to safeguard Vassar Temple assets while never losing site of our synagogue's mission. Proposing a fiscally responsible budget that, at the same time, preserves as much of our culture, programming and staffing as possible was an outcome of that effort.

The Library Committee completed cataloguing our 1900 adult holdings in the Reifler Library. See Art Groten's report for information on how to access this information online.

Let all who work for the congregation do so for the sake of heaven; the merit of their ancestors will sustain them and, as a result, their righteousness will remain forever. — Pirkei Avot 2:2

Financial

It is clear that no Temple can be sustained financially by dues alone. Other fundraising efforts are critical to our stability. This year we have pushed harder than ever to sell SCRIP [cash card for Adams, Stop & Shop and ShopRite]; this is a wonderful way for people to support the Temple without spending an extra cent. It only works when members get involved. While participation was at an all time high this past year, as a consequence of increased promotion and greater accessibility [more “sellers” at the Temple and home delivery of SCRIP], sales still remains far below potential! Every dollar raised through SCRIP sales benefits the sustaining fund and reduces dependence on other revenue streams such as dues.

Attempting to trim expenses, members were offered the opportunity to receive the monthly bulletin, which has also been reduced in size, electronically thereby saving postage. Other cost-saving measures include price comparisons for staple items and buying in bulk. The mid month mailing was consolidated, also resulting in decreased printing and mailing costs. We continue to appreciate energy savings by belonging to the DCIC consortium.

Due to the amazing efforts of Eternal Torah Chairperson, Lou Lewis, as of this date over $110,000 has been pledged to cover the cost of the Torah repairs and associated Eternal Torah programming; to secure funds for future Torah maintenance; and to replenish the Restricted Funds from which money was borrowed over a decade ago in times of great financial stress.

Safety

Our world can be a dangerous place unfortunately. Within our sacred space it seems obvious that we should do our utmost to shut out such dangers and limit risk. To that end the following work has been done.

• For the safety of our employees who enter and leave the building day and evening, often in inclement weather or by themselves, the building has been fitted with an additional alarm unit in the front entry way avoiding the need to rely only the back door.
• Locks changes also allow the volunteer leadership to enter the Temple more easily at the front door, reducing the need to utilize the less accessible rear entrance.
• In response to a request made by the president, the Sisterhood funded the installation of a kitchen entry door, placing one that had been broken for quite sometime. Not only re deliveries made more conveniently now, but the added exit provides additional safety should the premises need to be quickly vacated.
• Non functional floodlights along the front of the building were replaced to insure adequate lighting of the walkway for member safety and reduce threats of vandalism.
• We continue to obtain trained security personnel to be on the premises during “high risk' building use.

Those who occupy themselves with the needs of the community are as though they are occupied with Torah. — Jerusalem Talmud, Ber 5:1

Outreach

The Temple remains affiliated with the Jewish Outreach Institute [JOI] [http://joi.org/] , a national cooperative of organizations and institutions whose common purpose is dedicated to a more open and welcoming Judaism. Free enduring materials, consultation and program ideas are available to us by participating with JOI. An example of such programming was the Eight Days of Oil event sponsored by Vassar Temple at Adams FairAcres Farms this past Chanukah.

The Temple leadership can only serve members' needs if we know what they are. In an effort to better understand the congregation dynamic a new membership application form and potential new member welcoming process was developed. All members - new and old - will be asked to complete this application so that the leadership can be more targeted and be 'on target' as it considers programming, spiritual, demographic and social factors critical to future planning.

Building Maintenance

Repeated basement level flooding left no option other than to engage in a costly capital sewer project, now completed. Additional supportive work on drain spouts was required as well. We benefitted greatly from this work in that our facility remained dry despite a particularly drenching season.

A new walkway project was completed.

Other minor electrical work has been done over the year.

Unfortunately a leak developed on the roof during the winter resulting in water damage to the sanctuary ceiling and a few pews. Repairs will get underway shortly. Damage was limited due to the rapid response from Howard Himelstein and Ron Rosen.

Communication

Communication is many things, clearly resonating differently from one individual to another. One of this year's focuses was to improve communication amongst the committees and between committees and the Board. Several initiatives attempt to address this:

• Committee chairs have been solicited to electronically send updates of their activities each month; these are forwarded to all officers and trustees.
• Chairs have been invited to appear at board meetings to discuss their committee's activities and to solicit support when needed.
• Committee chairs were invited to get together for the purpose of discussing their individual ideas for the 2009-2010 calendar and begin integrating these. Working together can make everyone more effective as we promote the Temple mission and vision.

Improving our communication with the membership and the community was also deemed to be possible. The following initiatives were dedicated to this and are ongoing:

• A Publicity Caucus established in 2008-2009 continued to work toward the initial goal of integrating efforts amongst our broadcast media: monthly bulletin, website, weekly electronic email and monthly flyers.
• Continuity within our publicity materials relating to graphics and style help identify us and our brand. The redesigned website offers additional functionality, link connectivity and graphics. www.vassarTemple.org is a premier website, which proudly introduces Vassar Temple to strangers and serves our current members with timely, and useful Temple information in an eye-catching display.
• We have greater presence at the Facebook Social networking site and on Twitter which helps to promote our organization and encourages membership.
• A president's column has appeared monthly in the Vassar Temple Bulletin which, it is hoped, provides readers with a perspective on the 'whole' and occasionally offers interesting factoids, spiritual support and religious/ educational snippets.

Belonging

Having a tagline that says Vassar Temple is the place “Where You Belong” isn't of course the same as having the Temple actually be that place...for all. Adding to other efforts directed at making this a reality for everyone, the following initiatives were developed:

• Officers, Trustees and Committee chairs wear name tags identifying both their name and position within the Temple leadership; they have been asked to wear these whenever in the building. In doing so it is hoped that the general membership can begin to feel more connected to their leaders and perhaps also be motivated through interactions to become more involved. An ultimate goal would be to have all members have a name tag so that we can recognize each other more easily. After all, if you don't know who your 'relatives' are, how can they begin to feel like mishpocha? One truth seems undeniable: involvement is necessary to generate a sense of belonging.
• Kaddish is an important and solemn part of our Shabbat services: remembering those who are no longer with us is essential. Last year we introduced the “simcha” portion which immediately follows. We are brought back to the present by celebrating milestones, such as birthdays and anniversaries, graduations or weddings, with each other lifting all of our spirits.
• Onegs are a wonderful time to connect with fellow members. Certain factors make it difficult for some to stay and participate in this at the conclusion of Shabbat services. We now offer an opportunity to connect socially before services. Coming together for candle lighting, kiddush and motzi - and a bit of schmooze - in the East chapel at the start of services continues at 7:30P services.
• Purim, always fun, was spectacular due to the efforts of Purim spiel Director/Producer Arthur Menken! Flying monkeys coupled with awesome sound and light effects, unique props, delightful munchkins, a cast of extroverts and more made the 2010 celebration one for the record books!
• The Third Annual High Holy Day Break Fast gave nearly 100 member families an opportunity to enter into the New Jewish Year, celebrating with fellow congregants.
• Spearheaded by Barbara Kram and Debbie Carbo, a new social experience was created called, “Vassar After Hours”. Combining schmoozing with food and entertainment, this creative programming successfully takes place in our very own social hall turned 'speakeasy'!
• Vassar Temple auxiliaries remain essential to the Temple fabric. Women and men connect socially with each other and then gather behind programming which benefits the Temple and the greater community. Both the Vassar Temple Sisterhood and the Men's Club deserve member support.
• The Reyut Committee made every effort possible to assist members in need of help. Hospital visits to provide cheer and to promote spiritual comfort; deliveries of food; hand written notes and phone calls in demonstration of our caring are examples of the efforts made to connect with members particularly in times of stress or upheaval.

Study

We continue to offer enriching religious study courses, such as Torah, Introduction to Judaism, Talmud and Mussar, in addition to Rabbi's Shabbat sermons. In an attempt to offer even more diversity with respect to the Shabbat experience and to engage our members, unique experiences were offered:

• Shabbat morning services involving our religious school students were coupled with kiddush lunches and a mini Shabbaton or guest speaker.
• Guest speakers for Shabbat evening and morning services, as well as for Selichot, were arranged all of which added a very special dimension to the programs. Topics were intriguing and the experience allowed us to get to know our members, gaining new perspective and greater appreciation for their unique backgrounds and interests.
• Vassar Temple once again participated with Temple Beth El in a weekend Shabbaton which was gauged to be successful by all who attended.

The Torah is central to Judaism; we are blessed to have four 90 year or older scrolls in our aron kodesh, our holy ark; one scroll which has not been actively used is safely kept in the portable ark. Three of the four prior scrolls, and the unused fifth, were in need of repair, having severely deteriorated with time. A Torah Restoration Project called: Eternal Torah ~ Restoring Vassar Temple's Scrolls was initiated by Sandra Mamis, President. The goal were 3 -fold: repair the scrolls; provide educational, social and spiritual experiences which strengthen the bonds between our congregation and Torah; and develop a self supporting revenue stream, outside of the Temple operating budget. At the time of this writing, the project has been hugely successful! Over 120 people have participated in inking a letter - fulfilling the 613th commandment; several well attended programs related to torah have engaged our children and adults, with other programs still being planned. Over $110,000 has been raised with contributions coming both from generous congregants and from members of the broader Jewish and non Jewish communities who recognized the value of this endeavor. Without question, the success of the fundraising effort lies with Eternal Torah Chairman Lou Lewis, to whom the congregation is indebted for his enthusiasm, hard work and telescopic vision.

Jewish Childhood Education

• Religious School Director Rabbi Shoshana Hantman officially joined the Vassar Temple staff July 1 2009. The RS has had a wonderful year, managing the anticipated 'growing pains' that accompanies change of command. Students are enthusiastic; there is an energy in the building on Sunday morning and Wednesday evening. The confirmation class attended a RAC weekend in Washington DC for the first time. This was an initiative promoted by Rabbi Hantman and was very successful for the participating students. The Religious School Committee continues to work hard on trying to engage families in the overall process of educating our children. More parents need to step forward and join the process which will result in an even stronger educational experience for our children.
• Tiny Temple has had a wonderful year on the leadership of Meredith Kaflowitz, with help from Carolyn Frankel. This program is incredibly important both for the toddlers who participate and for their parents.

When we truly confront and encounter one another, we will meet more than we realize: We will also find the divine within our own lives. — Martin Buber

As we end this year together as we anticipate transitioning from one administration to another, let me thank all of the leaders and all of our active members - the critical yet often unnamed 'soldiers' - for taking on incredibly important roles in the life of the congregation. Hopefully as your efforts have benefitted the congregation, so have you realized great personal satisfaction. I know that I have and I am deeply appreciative of the opportunity to have served.

Respectfully submitted May 26, 2010
By Sandra Mamis, President