| Adult Activities
The Adult Activities Committee is, as its name
implies, designed to offer a variety of events of interest to adult
congregants. In the past, some have included a visit by the Young Vic
Theater, a sports discussion, a panel of psychiatrists (after 9/11), a
talk by Gil Sandler, a visit to the Lloyd Street museum, and others.
We are presently considering a klezmer concert,
wine tasting, a visit to the Baltimore Museum of Art (with our own
docent), the Washington Balalaika Orchestra at the Gordon Center, and
others.
All adult congregants are welcome. We are
looking for more committee members, as well as any suggestions for
future activities.
Building Committee,
Design and Interiors Committee
The Building Committee oversees the work on the
interior and exterior of our new synagogue. Such things as furniture
choices, office layout, and carpet design are under our purview. This
committee will, once the building is complete, be charged with
maintaining it (other than what the janitorial staff would do) and
helping with future work.
There is also a Design and Interiors Committee
which will decide on all things concerning the interior of the facility.
Items such as placement of artwork, future furniture purchase and
design, signage, display units, etc would be required to gain approval
from this committee.
Capital Fundraising Committee
The task of this committee is to raise funds for
the building and furnishing of our new synagogue on Cold Spring Lane.
The Campaign has raised roughly $2,623,000, with an additional $300,000
expected to come from the sale of our current building and the meadow
adjacent to our new facility.
While the major capital needs of the project
have been met, additional funds are needed for the kitchen, playground,
and lobby and patio furnishings. We continue to seek the financial
support of our members, their friends and families as well as
foundations and individuals not connected to Bolton Street Synagogue.
Fundraising assistance is always needed and greatly appreciated.
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee is responsible for
monitoring the financial and business issues of the synagogue. Each year
the Committee develops a budget which is monitored throughout the year.
We adjust the dues structure and other fees to meet the expected
expenditures of the coming year. We examine the costs for our paid staff
and for operating and paying for the building as well as the religious
school. In the recent past, we helped examine what funds were needed and
what we could responsibly carry as a mortgage in order to build our new
home on Cold Spring Lane.
We generally meet as a full committee only twice
per year (in the evening, downtown, directly after work), but we meet in
smaller numbers and communicate by email and phone as needed throughout
the year.
|
|
Life Cycle
The Life Cycle Committee supports synagogue
members who are dealing with an illness, the death of a family member or
loved one, or the addition to a family such as a birth/adoption.
Assistance includes the preparation and delivery of meals, home visits,
and correspondence.
A strong base of volunteers keeps this committee
thriving. Volunteers are always needed to help with meals and visits,
and it is a great way to get to know people and be connected to the
community.
Membership Committee
The Membership Committee strives to welcome all
new members to Bolton Street Synagogue and answer any questions they may
present. The committee is also responsible for addressing concerns
prospective members may have so they can decide if Bolton Street is the
right choice for them.
In addition to providing verbal information, the
committee sends out a packet of information to all new members, which
includes an up-to-date roster of members. In an effort to determine if
the needs of the membership are being met, we hope to conduct an
informal survey. Also, if you have any suggestions, especially as a new
member, on how to improve the membership packet, please let us know.
Religion and Culture Committee
One of the areas of focus for the Religion and
Culture committee over the past year has been ways to add to attendance
and the spirituality of our Friday night services. We have had several
initiatives, including a new music group that has increased the "ruach"
at services. We have also had several congregants give dvar torahs,
which have been well received, and an English-only service which
congregants also enjoyed.
For the coming year, in addition to these
events, we will also be looking at using the reconstructionist prayer
book on an infrequent basis. Many people will find the English
translations and the English prayers to be well-written and quite
moving. These will be announced. We are also continuing to look at
transliteration and developing supplements for Friday night services.
Social Action Committee
The social action committee organizes volunteer
activities throughout the year to encourage Bolton Street members to
join together to help those in need. Recently, we have prepared meals
for a soup kitchen, cleaned up Stony Run creek, and made care packages
for patients with AIDS. We are hoping to increase the number of
activities this year, and would heartily encourage anyone who is
interested to join the committee and help us organize these events. |
Baltimore, MD 21210 
