Building Committee
Oversees building maintenance improvements, repairs and updates. Reviews and sets-up vendors for approved projects; oversees work. Runs clean-up and work days.
Chair: Marc Weinberger
Building Use Committee
Reviews all requests for rental of the Temple space. This includes discussing the event or the ongoing use of rooms, meeting with the person or group interested in renting, reviewing fees, and signing an agreement or contract.
A representative of the Committee usually attends the event, to provide support and guidance around building use for the event, i.e. Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, concerts, etc.
Chair: Marsha Stone (Board Member)
Finance Committee
Meets as needed to review financial status, unusual expenses, budgetary adjustments and prepares a proposed budget for Board review.
Chair: Carol Silver (Board Member)
Investment Committee
Meets quarterly with the professional fund manager to monitor investment accounts, plans for sustainable allocations, and makes recommendations to the Board for long-term financial planning.
Chair: Carol Silver (Board Member)
Ritual Committee
Works with the Rabbi to schedule and support services, rituals and celebrations. Meets with the Rabbi to discuss how to preserve, evolve and deepen TI prayer life, halacha and spiritual practice.
Chair: Sher Sweet
Security Committee
The Security Committee engages with the Rabbi & congregation before and during Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur services in the synagogue, recruits and schedules inside/outside monitors, monitors security cameras, and provides training and outreach related to building security.
The rest of the year is spent addressing next-step building priorities, preparing for the following year’s holidays, and considering programs and trainings for congregation members.
For more info on the history and vision of the STF: read the full STF message here (pdf).
Contact: Susan Hollins
Family Education Committee
Supports the teaching staff. Provides publicity, planning and preparation for special events and outreach to potential student-families. Determines policy for the children’s education program of Temple Israel and works with the Personnel Committee in hiring and evaluating staff.
Chair: Emily Devoto (Board Member)
Grounds/Garden Committee
Manages and organizes garden upkeep and maintenance.
Chair: Nancee Bershof
Refugee Support Project
Refugee Support Project is currently working to help refugees at the U.S. southern border with Mexico. Most of our donations are going to Team Brownsville in Matamoros, Mexico. They feed and house thousands of refugees.
Contact: Ellen Kaufmann
Welcoming Committee
Welcomes new members, encourages application, and guides application process. Facilitates integration of members into the community.
Chair: no chair at this time
Teams
Burial Society (Chevra Kadisha)
Our tradition teaches us that it is a great honor to care for the dead and their bereaved families. Temple Israel is fortunate to have its own Chevra Kadisha to carry on this age-old tradition of service and support. Presently, our Chevra includes approximately 20 members. We also have both a Jewish Cemetery and an Interfaith Cemetery at 267 Log Plain Road East in Greenfield.
We are often asked questions about Jewish law and tradition concerning care and burial of the deceased. If you have any questions, please feel free to call.
Contact: Marc Kaufmann @ 413.625.9708 (Home) or 413.695-2838 (Cell)
Contact: Shirin Morris @ 413.834.3552 (cell)
Library Team
The TIG Library has an impressive selection of Jewish-themed books, magazines, music, and videos. There is also an on-line catalog.
Contact: Michael Hurwitz (Board Member)
Tikkun Olam Circle
The Tikkun Olam Circle at Temple Israel Greenfield is an initiative begun in 2020, bringing people together who feel a responsibility to learn, share, and work toward racial and social justice. We are in a particular and powerful moment— climate crisis, pandemic, racial justice uprisings, and rising white nationalism, which has its roots in anti-semitism. Oppressive systems of the past are alive in the policies, institutions, and norms of today.
As Jews with intersectional identities, we acknowledge our participation in systems of privilege and oppression, and we commit to doing our part to dismantle these systems both within Temple Israel and in our larger community. We focus on relationship-building, education, and activism toward cultural change.
The Tikkun Olam Circle is a diverse intergenerational group that welcomes all Jews living in Franklin County who are committed to our stated mission. Our style of meetings ensures listening and sharing.
Contact: Alyssa Bauer (Employee)