Beth El Ner Tamid Synagogue
2909 W. Mequon Road. Mequon Wisconsin 53092  (262) 242-6900

The July 14 meeting of the Beth El Ner Tamid Board of Trustees was called to order at 7:35 p.m. by President Al Simon.  Barbara Abrams, Patricia Chamoy, Jane Chester, Harvey Kaufman, David Kazilsky, Nancy Kellman, Fred Meyer, Robert Peterman, Neal Plotkin, Al Simon, Rodney Ugent, Ilene Wasserman, and Jackie Zigan were present.  Ava Bortin, Alan Marcuvitz, Robert Rudman, and Phyllis Wiggins were excused.

CANTOR FOR HIGH HOLIDAYS:  Howard Loeb reported that we have hired Hazzan Steven Berke for the High Holidays.  He was recently laid off from a synagogue in Springfield, MA for economic reasons.  He is a 1994 graduate of the Cantorial School of the Jewish Theological Seminary and interviewed here at Beth El at the same time we hired Cantor Berkowitz.

CANTOR’S HOUSE:  Howard Loeb reported that Cantor and Naomi have completely moved out of the house on Mequon Road.

TRIBUTE EVENT FOR CANTOR BERKOWITZ:  A concert or tribute dinner will be held in honor of Cantor Berkowitz and his 16 years at Beth El on October 17/ More information will be forthcoming.

AUTO CALLING: David Kazilsky spoke about a service called Phone Tree.  This is an automated system with the ability to have a person’s telephone ring and an automatic message of upcoming events.

MEN’S CLUB: Neal Plotkin reported on the brewers concession stand.  There is also a full year of activities planned.

EXPENDITURE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE: David Kazilsky presented a form that will be used when requesting funds for any program.  It will have to be approved in advance by the committee and will eliminate surprises when the bills come in.  It is a way to keep us in line with our budget.

RABBI’S REPORT: Rabbi Crystal reported on her vision for the future of Beth El and how she plans to implement this vision.  She spoke about ritual, education, coordination, healing, and keruv and her ideas and plans in each area. She also spoke about a meeting with Rabbi Richard Margolis, who grew up at Beth El and has since moved to Florida, and his emphasis on community and congregational participation.

TORAH FOR FRENCH SYNAGOGUE: Rabbi Charles Simon of New York has asked for one of our excess Torahs to be donated on permanent loan to a new synagogue in France.  He is willing to take one that is not kosher and make it readable. Fred Meyer and Rabbi Crystal will decide which one we can loan.