Darchei noam

News

Summary of January 9 Board meeting from Judy Shapiro:

1. We approved a new Associate Member of Darchei Noam, Ron Plotsker.  Welcome, Ron!

2. We heard a very positive financial report from treasurer Rafi Geretz: about $195,000 in Building Fund pledges have been paid so far, and about 40% of member dues have been paid for 5772.  Members have until August to pay their 5772 dues.  Statements will go out at intervals between now and August, to encourage on-time dues payments.

3. Regarding our new building:  The Building Committee has begun meeting with the builder in addition to the architect, and has added to the committee Tamar Pentelnik, who will chair the Interior Design Committee.  Additionally, a subcommittee of the Interior Design Committee has been formed to discuss and research sanctuary design; this will be chaired by Catherine Breier.  Thank you to all our building volunteers, whose work has really just begun in earnest!

4. We had a preliminary report from Hanna Bloomfield about the Visioning Committee and their recent survey of members, about which more will be coming later.

5. A new dues policy (which includes a Building Fund obligation for members who did not participate in the just-completed capital campaign) was approved.  A copy of it is attached.

6. Attempts have been made to solicit attendance at daily minyan.  Judy reported on the preliminary results.

7. Programming highlights:  *The Rabbi's series on Healing was very well received once again, for the second session.  *The second installment of the all-shul Beit Midrash will be held Jan. 21.  *The Adult Education series will begin in February; watch for details.  *The Chanuka bowling party was a great success, thanks to Wendy Khabie.  *The movie nights are successful as well, thanks to Bruce Stough and Robert Portnoe (who donates his video equipment).

8. Purim will be here before we know it: * Cindy Sherman will again chair the shul Mishloah Manot project, in which we send Mishloah Manot packages to members' children who live out of town.  Contact Cindy if you want to assist with this much-appreciated project.  *We will have a Purim Seudah if someone steps forward to chair it.  Speak with Judy to volunteer for that.

9. "Good and Welfare", a hearty mazal tov was wished to the Kusnetz family for Shira's wonderful bat mitzvah last Shabbat!  *Darchei Noam will place a $100 ad in the Shaarim Banquet Ad Book later this month, as a donation and expression of support.

10. The next Board meeting will be Monday, Feb. 13.

NCSY Highlights:

·         THIS WEEKEND Feb 3rd is our next Chapter Shabbaton. Sr NCSYers are invited to an enjoy an exciting shabbaton in St Louis Park. We will enjoy delicious shabbat meals together, fun programming, interactive discussion, awesome out of town advisors, and a great Saturday night activity. Cost is $45 all inclusive. Register at www.myncsy.com

·         Hold the date for our annual Scavenger Hunt (to benefit charity) followed by a movie and food. Saturday night February 25th.Details to follow

·         Minneapolis NCSY sends out an e-newsletter with updates and info. If you would like to be added to our mailing list please contact kupfert@ncsy.org

·         Minneapolis NCSY is once again partaking in an exciting raffle opportunity with a grand prize of $100,000 as well as a many other exciting prizes. Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.midwestncsy.orgor by emailing kupfert@ncsy.org. Thank you in advance for your support

·         2nd year of Torah High has started and is off to a fantastic start .This year we added a 2nd track for incoming 9th grader girls. Students meet once a week in a laid back but structured environment. Refreshments are served and students earn elective credits. For more info please visit http://minneapolis.torahhighschool.com. It is not too late to join!!

·         NCSY summer program registration is now open. NCSY offers a plethora of summer options including 8 different Israel programs as well as several programs located in the US. Check out TJJ - our Israel summer program for $2699 included airfare from NY. Visit www.ncsysummer.com. Scholarships are available.

·         For more information about our activities or for sponsorship opportunities please contact Rabbi Tzvi Kupfer at (952)239-0642.

 

The book, Jewish Threads - A Hands-On Guide to Stitching Spiritual Intention into Jewish Fabric Crafts, by Diana Drew with Robert Grayson, has been published.  This is the book that features two of our three Torah covers, designed by Judy Snitzer, and made by many Darchei Noam members.   Yasher koach to all!

The OU's cycle of Nach Yomi (the daily study of N'vi'im and K'tuvim - The Prophets and The Writings), will begin its slightly-over-two-year cycle on Thanksgiving Day.  For anyone interested, Robert Portnoe will conduct a learning session on the first perek of sefer Yehoshua (chapter 1 of the Book of Joshua) after tefilot that Thursday morning (approximately 9:00 am).  Everyone is welcome.

Jewish Disability Awareness Month is a national effort to raise awareness of disabilities and inclusion in the Jewish community.  Darchei Noam has been one of the national leaders in this program, and we are working on next February's plans.  We have been asked to hold a Tu B'Shevat seder with Caring Connections, as we did two years ago.  We still receive thanks from people who attended!  To be able to hold the seder (Tuesday, February 7), we need some volunteers who will be able to do some shopping, setup, and cleanup.  The more help we get, the easier it is on all.  It's a few months off, but if you think you'd like to help, please reply to this note, or contact Bob Kusnetz.

Linda Maach is the Darchei Noam food coordinator.  She helps organize meals for simchas (we usually try to provide a week of meals for families with new babies), shiva meals, and people with injury or illness who need assistance.  If you know of a need for meals or can volunteer, please contact Linda at lmaach27@msn.com or 952-920-9444 (h), 952-200-1982 (c).

 

Our D'var Torah Coordinator is Bruce Stough.  He has posted a Dvar Torah schedule on the Learning page of our website,  Before Bruce calls you, find an open date and contact him at sbsrs@q.com

 

Copies of Darchei Noam Program Flyers are saved in Learning Page under Program Archives

 

Darchei Noam's webmaster (Ed Rapoport) is collecting electronic copies of divrei Torah given at Darchei Noam to create a web archive of them on our website.  Please send your dvar Torah to ed.rapoport@gmail.com

The Ritual Committee is soliciting volunteers to train to become mashgiachs to supervise congregational meals and special kiddushes.  Rob Portnoe has agreed to provide this training, which will probably take about four hours.  Any interested congregants should contact him at his home phone number, 952-926-3680, for further details.