Although the time has flown by, this coming TuBiShvat, January 16, 2014, will be the end of the current two-year term for the Rosh HaMinyan and the Chairs of each of the Library Minyan's Standing Committees (Education; Finance; Gabayim-Coordinators; Membership; Ritual; Social and Hospitality; Youth; and coming soon, Communications), and the beginning of a new 2014-16 term. Soon, each of these committees will be holding an open meeting for all who are interested in joining, at which we will elect new chairs and make plans for the future of the Minyan.
This is an ideal opportunity for all Library Minyan members, new and old, to join a committee and become involved in making the Minyan "happen." Our Minyan depends on the dedication of our volunteers. I urge all of you to please attend one or more of the open meetings listed below. There is no limit on how many committees you can join, no experience or level of Judaic skills or knowledge is required, and each of you has something valuable to contribute to our kahal. Whether or not you have any interest in leadership in the Library Minyan, joining a committee is a terrific way to become involved at any level and to get to know your fellow Minyanites.
Membership Committee: Meeting: Tuesday, December 10, 2013 at 7:00 P.M. at the home of Susan Laemmle and John Antignas, 6608 Hayes Drive, Los Angeles. The mission of the Membership Committe is to help members find outlets for service according to their abilities and interests, develop ways to increase and retain participation, and engage in outreach and membership recruitment. One of this committee's recent projects has been the Ohel Patuach program to match newcomers with Minyan members for Shabbat dinner invitations.
Education Committee: Meeting: Tuesday, December 17, 2013 at 7:30 P.M. at the home of Rachel and Norm Green, 6421 Maryland Drive, Los Angeles. The mission of the Education Committee is to provide educational programming to the Minyan (open to the entire TBA kahal), to supports projects like the Mishnah study group and the on-line Parashat Hashavua Archives, and to organize group classes and individual, volunteer tutorials to help members learn how to daven, be a gabbai, give a drash, and related skills. One of the committee's upcoming projects is planning a drash series on human rights. The Education Committee will also be the home of a new subcommittee on Social Action.
Social-Hospitality Committee: Meeting: Wednesday, December 18 at 8:00 P.M. at the home of Carl and Tove Sunshine, 1146 La Jolla Ave., Los Angeles The mission of the Social and Hospitality Committee is to strengthen the Minyan’s sense of community. This committee has several subcommittees including the Diaspora Potluck subcommittee, which provides off-site communal social
opportunities; and the Chesed subcommittee, which organizes support for members who are encountering hardship.
Ritual Committee: Meeting Plans Pending -- Please contact Norm Saiger if interested. The mission of the Ritual Committee is to determine permitted ritual and spiritual expression, and seeks ways to keep the prayer experience relevant and meaningful while cultivating a sense of renewal.
Children and Youth Committee: Meeting Plans Pending -- Please contact Meeting Plans Pending -- Please contact sandralepson@yahoo.com if interested. The mission of the Children and Youth Committee is to strengthen the connection of young people to the Minyan and expand their participation in services, to welcome and involve pre-bnai mitzvah children and their families, to maintain a child-friendly atmosphere, and to address the needs of families with young children.
Finance Committee: Meeting Plans Pending -- Please contact Meeting Plans Pending -- Please contact Larry Harris ( larry@larryharris.com ) if interested. The Finance Committee handles day-to-day financial matters in cooperation with the appropriate Temple Beth Am personnel and as approved by the Steering Committee.
Communications Committee: Meeting Plans Pending -- Please contact Scott Taryle (Rosh HaMinyan.). Starting in the new 2014-16 term, the Library Minyan will have a new standing committee, the Communications Committee. The mission of the committee will be, among other things, to oversee the Minyan's website, email and other communications including the Minyan Monthly and printed materials, serve as a liason with the shul re Minyan-related announcements in Temple Beth Am's media (Kol HaAm, Shabbat Bulletins, Midweek Announcements, etc), and to foster awareness and information about the Library Minyan's events and activities.
