Committees
We are delighted that you are part of our Beth Hillel Synagogue family. We welcome your involvement! Your participation in synagogue committees is vital and appreciated. Volunteer opportunities span the spectrum of our synagogue life. Time commitments vary from one-time activities to long-term efforts so there is something for everyone. Please give of your time. We need you! For more information about the specifics of each committee, please contact the committee chair.
Adult Education
The Adult Education committee goal is a mighty one: continue providing adult education in traditional ways (home study groups, for example) while exploring new ideas to involve all of our congregants.
Co-chairs: Myrna Schaffman (860)-242-2480 Tobie Katz (860)-243-5672
Beth Hillel Cemetery
The cemetery committee of the Beth Hillel Memorial Park supervises all activity at the Park and employs a landscaper to do grounds maintenance. The committee meets quarterly to review policies and procedures.
Chair: Mel Marcus (860)-242-2602
Brotherhood
An egalitarian services affiliate whose mission is to enhance the Beth Hillel and secular community when possible, the Brotherhood meets regularly at Beth Hillel and sponsors various functions throughout the year. Programs are open to the entire congregation. The Brotherhood also contributes funds annually for the purchase of equipment and other building improvements. New members are always needed to help.
Co-Chairs: Mark Goldberg (860)-673-1361 Marty Swilling
Fundraising
The Fundraising committee offers an opportunity to plan and implement events designed to raise funds each year for the operating budget of the synagogue.
Chair: Norman Hecht (860)-523-4090
Honorial and Memorial
The Honorial and Memorial committee has spent countless hours improving the look and feel of Beth Hillel Synagogue. They have worked on the Sanctuary, the Social Hall, and the Library among many others.
Co-Chairs: Barbara and Fred Green (860)-242-3944
House
Co-Chair: Joel Caplin (860)-232-7995 Marvin Goldberg (860)-243-3303
Membership
This committee works very hard to get new members and retain our current members. From new member events to warm, welcoming and hospitality, this committee is working on various ways to engage new and existing members in our congregation. Many initiatives start here and make a difference in ensuring congregants feel at home when at Beth Hillel. This committee also works hard in trying to reach those members that do not visit Beth Hillel frequently.
Office Volunteers
This pool of congregants help out in the office with answering phones, mailings, and other assorted jobs that are vital in helping the synagogue office run smoothly.
Chair: Lynn Kaplan (860)-242-5561
Publicity
For the many photographers and journalists, this committee will submit press releases, photos and articles to our local papers - including the Jewish Ledger and the Hartford Courant.
Chair: Tobie Katz (860) 243-5672
Ritual
This committee performs many important functions for our congregational community, one of which is evaluating the daily, Shabbat, and High Holiday Services.
Co-chairs: Myron Cohen (860)-242-4130 David Nemirow (860)-232-1983
Scholarship
The Scholarship committee determines the criteria for and distribution of the resources that are made available by the synagogue endowed scholarship funds.
Chair: Gail Adler (860)-651-6178
Sisterhood
Sisterhood is an integral arm of the worldwide Conservative/ Masorti Movement. The Beth Hillel sisterhood offers programs of interest to Jewish women of all ages and holds several fundraisers throughout the year that support Beth Hillel Synagogue and the Jewish Theological Seminary Torah Fund. The sisterhood also manages the Gift Shop and the Beth Hillel Kitchen. Volunteers are needed for a variety of committees.
Co-chairs: Sheila Frankel (860)-233-1030 Tobie Katz (860)-243-5672
Social Action
Beth Hillel Synagogue congregants work to alleviate the economic and social conditions that have precipitated the growing need to staff food kitchens, donate clothes and food, and extend hospitality to the sick. In an unredeemed world, the Torah and Talmud instruct us to participate in social justice in the tradition of mipnei tikkun ha'olam, for the sake of sustaining or repairing the world in which we live. Given our laws and tradition, it is no accident that Jews have been in the forefront of movements for social change and social justice. To keep this legacy alive our Committee works with other groups to build a community that improves the quality of life for all.
Chair: Len Swade (860)-688-4351
Youth Activities