Nominations for Beit Rayim Board of Directors 2010/2011
Terri Binder My family and I have been members of Beit Rayim since 1999, and we are extremely fond of the congregation and its leaders. I have three children: Savannah (15), Julian (13), and Toby (10), as well as a wonderful husband, Howard. I don’t know of any other congregation that is as warm, welcoming and inclusive as this one. At Beit Rayim, I have previously served on the Israel Action Committee, the Choir, and recently the Black and White Gala Committee. Outside the synagogue, I served on the Executive Board of Thornhill Nursery and Preschool for 2 years where I held the position of Secretary. I enjoyed having a hand at shaping school policy and working together with other board members on behalf of the non-profit school. Having 3 children currently enrolled or already graduated the Leo Baeck Day School, I have volunteered in numerous positions throughout our eleven years at the school. Since 2008 I have been a member of the Thornhill Secondary School Council where I cochaired a fundraising committee along with my husband.
Andrew Charron My name is Andrew (‘Andy’) Charron. Attached is my nomination form to sit as a member of the Board of Directors of Beit Rayim Synagogue for the coming year (5771). I have been a member in good standing of Beit Rayim since September 2006 (5767). My children have attended Beit Rayim’s Hebrew School program since September 2000, and on March 29, 2008 my son Adam was Bar Mitzvah at the Shul. My daughter Ophira (‘Orion’) looks forward to her Bat Mitzvah on April 30, 2011. I attend Saturday services regularly, and am proud to be an engaged member of the community. This past year I sat on the Mesorah committee, and I’ve been grateful for the opportunity to get to know many of the active members of our Shul and to have gained an appreciation of the formidable work they do. I wish to serve on the Board of Directors to help shape our congregation for the future. Beit Rayim, as a conservative egalitarian congregation, holds a unique position in our Jewish community, and I would be honoured to play a part in meeting the challenges it faces in building, growing, and changing in uncertain times. I bring honesty, integrity and dedication to the task. I believe in a Shul that belongs to the congregation; I believe in inclusiveness and open communication; I believe in a group conscience that speaks through trusted servants, in concert with our common Jewish precepts and just governance. I champion responsibility, accountability and transparency because each member of our congregation deserves nothing less from our dedicated officers. I want to sign up for our Tomorrow. Updated as of 5/21/2010
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Nominations for Beit Rayim Board of Directors 2010/2011
Stephen C. Cohen Stephen was born and educated in England and came to Sarnia, Ontario in 1965. He started as a Research Chemist with Polysar and finished his career as Director of Research for a chemical company near New York City. He came to Toronto in 1977 and was a member of Temple Har Zion for 20 years. Stephen and Janice became members of an egalitarian, Conservative synagogue during their 8 years in New York and liked it so much that when they returned to Toronto it was natural for them to join Beit Rayim where Janice and Stephen became actively engaged. Stephen became a Board Director, joining Mesorah and helping Janice with Hazak. Last year Stephen redid his Bar Mitzvah. Janice and Stephen have 4 children and 2 grandchildren. Stephen is pleased to be a Board Director, to serve the congregation to make Beit Rayim a better synagogue for us all.
Ronda Goldberg My family and I have been members of Beit Rayim Synagogue & School for the past 14 years. I was the President at Beit Rayim for 4 years 2000-2004 and I was also the Youth Director at the synagogue for several years. I have volunteered on the Hebrew School Committee, Fundraising and Membership Committees and the Building Committee. I rejoined the board last year after a taking 4 years off my volunteering at the shul. I have also volunteered at the Public School, Venture Park and other organizations. My main motivation for pursuing a position on the Board of Directors is to find a permanent home for our congregation and ensure that our shul remains a special place in the community that is welcoming and haymishe. I am a graduate from the Schulich School of Business at York University with a major in Marketing. I think that with my past work experience, education and involvement with the synagogue for many years, I will be able to contribute to the boards ability to make good decisions to meet our future goals as an organization.
Jeff Grosman I have been a member of Beit Rayim since its inception over 15 years ago. I have been an active member of the Executive and Board for virtually all of these 15 years. I have served as Membership Chair, Treasurer, Chair of the Building Committee, Editor of the Bulletin, Chair of the Comedy/Auction events, High Holy Day Committee Chair and Fair Dues Committee Chair. I have also authored many policies and brochures, including the Fair Dues polices and application forms, membership information and renewal packages, and the Welcome to Beit Rayim pamphlet that was distributed on Shabbat to guests. I was honoured with the Volunteer of the Year award in 2004. There is no denying that our organization is experiencing some significant challenges. While I feel that it is vital for the organization to nurture and encourage participation from as many members as possible, I also feel that it is now, perhaps more than ever, very important to be able to provide the leadership with a perspective that can only be gained through sustained and diverse involvement with Beit Rayim. I would be honoured to have the opportunity to once again participate in leading our ‘House of Friends’ into what I believe can and will be a bright and lasting future.
Updated as of 5/21/2010
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Nominations for Beit Rayim Board of Directors 2010/2011
Gabriel Grosman Gabriel was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina and move to Winnipeg with his wife, Analia in January 1998. After moving to Toronto in 1999, to enrol in his MBA program at York University, they became members of Beit Rayim. As most of the Argentine community, they were both raised in a conservative egalitarian environment and they felt at home when attending services at Beit Rayim. They are proud parents of Eitan Yoel (born in Toronto in 2002) and Tali Naomi (born in Toronto in 2007). Gabriel is a finance professional that has worked in several industries including Banking, Engineering and Construction, Consulting, and Office products. In his current role as Finance Manager for Mother Parkers, Tea & Coffee, he overviews the financial aspects of client acquisitions and new product development. Since his arrival to Canada he has been involved with JIAS Canada (Treasurer since 2007), as well as acting as committee member for the Shindman Scholarship (since 2002). In addition, he was involved in several student and political organizations back in Argentina (started when he was 16 years of age). During the summer, he loves coaching Eitan’s soccer team, while in winter he passionately cheers in the hockey arena. He looks forward to find out which sport is Tali going to be involved with. As a member of Synagogue and a parent in the Hebrew School, he looks forward to add a bit of the Latino spice to the “House of Friends”
Kenneth Gutman Ken was born and raised in Calgary Alberta, where he attended Hebrew Day School at the Calgary Hebrew School . He moved to Toronto to attend York University in 1979. He met his wife Marna in 1987 and they were married in 1988. They have two daughters, Sari (18) and Rebecca (15). Ken's parents always urged their children to join a synagogue to "give yourselves roots in a community". Ken and Marna joined Beit Rayim in the fall of 2000, just in time for the High Holy Days, when they decided it was time to look for a synagogue in which to celebrate Sari's Bat Mitzvah. They were a little apprehensive about "egalitarianism", as they had both grown up in traditional Conservative synagogues, but after attending a Shabbat service, they concluded Beit Rayim would become their spiritual home. Beit Rayim has become so familiar to Ken's family; there is always a friend to say "hello" on Shabbat or on the High Holy Days. Beit Rayim "House of Friends" really hit home on Sari's Bat Mitzvah, when the "regular shul goers" were so delighted to have been with them and to share their simcha with their family and friends. Sari's and Rebecca's Bat Mitzvahs were truly a special moments in their lives, made even more special by the members of Beit Rayim. Ken joined the Board of Directors in 2001 to give back to his community and has been involved in various committees ever since. He started out on the Finance Committee, then joined the membership committee and then became Chairman of the Membership Committee for several years. He then joined the executive committee for the last 3 years has been the Treasurer of the synagogue and a members of the Fair Dues Committee.. Ken and his family have truly enjoyed becoming part of such an active, caring community that truly reflects its name – Beit Rayim, "House of Friends."
Updated as of 5/21/2010
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Nominations for Beit Rayim Board of Directors 2010/2011
Tracy Handler Tracy, her husband Michael, and their 3 children Jessica (9), Jordan (6) and Matthew (2) have been members of Beit Rayim since the fall of 2007. After attending various services at Beit Rayim they decided that the haymishe atmosphere was exactly the place they were looking to "raise" their children. When Michael and I were looking to join a shul, we were looking for environment where our kids would always feel welcome and comfortable. We feel that Beit Rayim is a great fit for us. Tracy has been involved with the Mishloah Manot program for Beit Rayim for the last 2 years and is in the process of getting the Z'havah chapter (women aged 30-42) of the Sisterhood up and running.
Shelley Isenberg My family joined Shaareh Haim (predecessor to Beit Rayim) because it was important to raise our children with a Jewish identity (culture, religion, history & tradition). Now my wife (Jody) and I want to increase our own Jewish identity and I also want to enrich the opportunity for others in our community to do likewise. Last year I recognized that if I wanted to get more from our shul and have an impact I needed to get involved. Since last fall I have become very active on the Board and Management Team (building and governance). I have a BA & law degrees and was Secretary for public companies for 13+ years. In addition, I have strong business skills; over the last 7 years I have been responsible for global acquisition programs for large international firms and I am currently active on a board of a US company. My CV is available on linkedin.com . It is up to those entrusted with setting the future direction of our shul and its management to do our best to ensure it grows as a leading provider of Jewish services in Vaughan. I have a lot to contribute and appreciate the opportunity to continue what I recently started to do to help Beit Rayim.
Athena Kay My name is Athena Kay, and my husband and children have been a part of Beit Rayim since 2007. What drew us to Beit Rayim was that it was a conservative egalitarian shul; what captivated us as members was that not only was this a house of friends- but a house of family. We believe that Beit Rayim can be a shared home where we cultivate and maintain our Jewish tradition, heritage, the Hebrew language and our love for Israel. I am a mother of three preschool age children – aged 5, 3 and 2 months - and it’s important for me that my children grow up in an environment which allows them to view, explore and study the richness that the Jewish history and tradition has to offer them. Over the years, I have been an active volunteer within the Beit Rayim community. I have helped host, run and organize numerous events for our Z’havah and Sisterhood. As well, I have had a helping hand in delivering Purim baskets, fundraising, and assisting with the setting up of services and Kiddush. I am seeking election for the 2010 – 2011 Board of Directors. As part of this group, it is my intention to continue to cultivate and develop our Z’havah and Sisterhood memberships and assist in offering interesting programs. Most importantly, I would like to be a part of a dynamic group of individuals working together to build a strong Beit Rayim community, both for ourselves and for our children. Updated as of 5/21/2010
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Nominations for Beit Rayim Board of Directors 2010/2011
Sam Kishinevsky
Jody Klapman I have been a member of Beit Rayim since 1999. From the beginning, my husband, Brian Goldberg and I, with our children Carly, Hanna and Kevin, have felt the warmth of the congregation in all its activities. We have been strong proponents and supporters of the shul. As an active member of the USDS Parents’ Association over the course of my 15-year involvement, I organized and assisted in many programs, supporting and enhancing school life. I also play an active role in managing my childrens’ various sports teams, and am on the campaign team for a candidate in the upcoming Vaughan city council election. I have a B.A. (Economics) from the University of Manitoba and am currently a part-time project specialist at Pulse Microsystems. Prior to that, I held various management positions at a national insurance company. I will bring all these experiences to bear in my involvement in Beit Rayim’s planning to set and reach its goals. I look forward to bringing a fresh outlook to help enhance Beit Rayim’s warm environment and attract the many new members that will help us achieve our goals, while retaining all existing members. I believe a synagogue should be a place where everyone who attends can feel comfortable and all can feel their needs are being met.
Alan Lechem Alan and his wife Ruth have been active members of Beit Rayim for over a decade, and have celebrated the bnei mitzvot of their children Cobi, Lara and Yaelle, and many other simchas with their siblings, who are also members. Beit Rayim is one of the main pillars of our Jewish life and provides an enthusiastic and dynamic environment for our family. Alan has a degree in Engineering and an MBA, and runs a business which distributes wood products and components to many countries. During Alan's tenure as co-chair of the Israel Action Committee, Beit Rayim won the prestigious Solomon Shecter Silver award for Israel Affairs. Alan currently serves on the advisory board of the Resource Training and Leadership Centre, and co-chairs the Campus Affairs Committee, both of the Simon Wiesenthal Centre in Toronto. Alan has been active in fund raising his entire adult life, and often speaks for Israel Bonds during High Holiday services. In addition, he has completed the "Wheels of Love" fundraising ride 3 times for the Alyn Pediatric Rehabilitation Hospital in Jerusalem. His wife Ruth Ekstein is also a very active member of the Jewish community, having chaired the UJA Walk for Israel, March of the Living, and many other events. It is our hope that Beit Rayim will be the place where we can have an impact with our volunteer work and help provide Jewish continuity.
Updated as of 5/21/2010
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Nominations for Beit Rayim Board of Directors 2010/2011
Larry Miller My wife Amy and I joined Beit Rayim Synagogue in 2006. I was asked to join the Board of Directors and the Leadership Team in 2009. After an initial role with Adult Programming, I took over the responsibility of Communications which includes the Beit Rayim Bulletin, Website, Shabbat flyer and the weekly E‐blast. In this capacity I have done my best to provide our membership with accurate information about the many events and the programs our congregation schedules, as well as important news from the Jewish community at large. I feel that my educational background (MBA), and my many years of business experience as a senior manager, have prepared me to assist our organization as it works to fulfill its long term objective of a permanent home and a thriving membership. As a regular worshipper at our Shabbat and holiday services, and a member of the High Holy Days’ Committee, I also understand the importance of Beit Rayim as a religious organization, having the resources and personnel to meet the spiritual, life cycle, and pastoral needs of our members. I seek to be re-elected to the Beit Rayim Board of Directors on May 26th, so that I can continue to help our organization achieve its goals and objectives.
Sony Nseiri Jason Presement My family has been a member of Beit Rayim for over 10 years. With two children attending seven years of Hebrew School each, one Bar Mitzvah behind us and one Bat Mitzvah ahead of us in 2011, we have experienced a wide variety of what Beit Rayim has to offer. This, of course, includes the high and low points of a Synagogue trying to grow and make a name for its self in York Region. Although we would like to spend more time with the Shul, we’re not a family with regular weekly attendance but rather the “High Holy Day” and “simcha” family – likely typical of the Beit Rayim membership. After many years of sitting on the side lines – watching, occasionally complaining about what’s not working and attending a meeting here or there – I decided to get engaged in late 2009 after attending a Town Hall meeting. I offered my experience in Governance and Strategy to assist with revising Beit Rayim’s By-Law, developing Board Policy and solidifying the Strategic Plan that will ultimately define the roadmap to Beit Rayim’s growth and success. My Board experience comes from over 8 years of volunteering and participating as Chair, Advisor and member of many private and not-for-profit organizations and committees Although we are a Synagogue and not “Corporate Canada”, the same foundations and guiding principles need to be in place to succeed. My clear intention as a Board member is to help make this happen.
Updated as of 5/21/2010
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Nominations for Beit Rayim Board of Directors 2010/2011
Stephen Reisch My family and I joined Beit Rayim Synagogue in 2001 and have served as coordinator of the Adult Education "Davening for Dummies" course and organizer within the High Holy Day Committee for a number of years. I have also served a term on the Board of Directors. I am a member of the M'Sorah committee and a Bar / Bat Mitzvah liaison. I was honoured along with Chuck Ticker in 2005 with the Judy Stein Award for Volunteer of the Year. Currently, I am a member of the Management Team responsible for High Holy Days and Festivals. I have run a technology business for over 25 years and I believe that I can lend my business knowledge and contribute positively to the growth and reinvigoration of our Beit Rayim shul community.
Irv Siegel As President I am very proud of the many accomplishments we achieved this year. We organized the largest and most successful fundraising event ever in our history. There were many successful programs that were well attended. More of our members were involved in volunteering this year than ever before. For the first time in four years we have shown a surplus in our budget. The Board has focused on reducing financial barriers for entry with the hopes of connecting more of our community to synagogue life. We are putting together a Team of individuals for this year’s Board with strengths in leadership and the skills needed to realize our goals. We have a commitment from UJA for rental space in the new JCC on the Lebovic Campus. This year’s High Holy Day services at CHAT will be very exciting with Rabbi Moshe Edelman leading services along with our Cantor, Eli Bard. As President (1997-1999) we had unprecedented membership growth. My volunteer history includes CHAT Board Member, Medical lead for Special Olympics, USY International Conferences, and others. Business experience includes President of a public biotech company and CEO of a Clinical Research Organization. I look forward to another successful year on the board at Beit Rayim.
Updated as of 5/21/2010
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Nominations for Beit Rayim Board of Directors 2010/2011
Helen Smolkin Helen is a founding member of Beit Rayim Synagogue and School . In December of 1976, together with her husband Bob and 4 other families, she started the Richmond Hill Jewish Community, which eventually became Shaareh Haim Synagogue, and in 1992, Beit Rayim Synagogue and School. Over the years, Helen has been instrumental in starting the Synagogue's Supplementary Hebrew School and being its chair, heading the Adult Education Committee, Membership as well as organizing Family oriented Friday night services, led by her son, Mitch. As a Board member of Beit Rayim, she is involved in outreach, representing Beit Rayim at the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, Jewish Federation of Greater Toronto, and she also sits on the Board of Womens' League. When not doing shul business, Helen is an elementary school teacher.
Updated as of 5/21/2010
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