A Bikkur Cholim working group is an essential component of our
sense of community and its members’ well-being and feeling cared
for during times of need. The group is tasked with ensuring that a mechanism is put in place to insure that people who are ill in the hospital or hospice or are home bound are receiving phone calls, in person visits and support.

This working group works closely with the Clergy to outline the responsibilities of a Bikkur Cholim working group, define clear
lines of communication to and from the Rabbi, and a method to
track any and all contacts with the sick and the home bound.

Chair: Enid Aaron

Members:
Doreen Korman
Morley Weinberg
Judy Mendelson
Dawna Bidwell
Lisa Morris
Boris Apel

Ex-Officio:
Cantor Baruch

The Building Maintenance working group is responsible for overseeing the maintenance of the Temple building and grounds including but not limited to conducting an annual audit of anticipated repairs and infrastructure upkeep; procuring estimates, selecting contractors and overseeing contracted work. The group systematically approaches each area of our building with a preventative maintenance plan that also identifies potential issues. By maintaining our external and internal infrastructure effectively, we can keep our occupants safe and healthy, which is the first priority of the group. All work supports our Capital Plan (building audit)

Chair: David Rayfield

Members:
Haim Goldstein
Kevin Sampson
Michele Gunn

Ex-Officio:
Marla Frank-Davis

Staff:
Shelby Frank-Davis

Cemetery

The Anshe Sholom Working Group provides oversight, maintains grounds and make decisions based on knowledge of burial laws and regulations and in accordance with the Reform Jewish faith. All procedures followed will be in accordance with the regulations as outlined by the Ontario Bereavement Association (OBA). The by-laws of Anshe Sholom Cemetery are reproduced in the Appendix form of the TAS bylaws 2022. To accomplish its goals, the Cemetery utilizes three separate accounts that are independent of the Temple’s operating account and, to some degree, fall under the Provincial Cemetery Act.

Chairs: Dave Loewith & Carl Loewith

Members:
Michele Gunn
Enid Aaron
Doug Collins
Doreen Korman
Roy Pollington

Ex-Officio:
Marla Frank-Davis

Staff:
Shelby Frank-Davis

Clergy Liaison

The Clergy Liaison Working Group serves as a liaison between the Board and the Clergy as well as, to make the Clergy aware of any issues that they may not normally be aware of, as well as, to prioritize duties as seen by this group or the Board. The Clergy Liaison Working Group meets regularly to ensure and promote an open line of communication regarding expectations to and from the Clergy. If no issues are pressuring, the group will meet at least twice a year.

Chair: Richard Levy

Members:
Lorraine Cohen
Aaron Walsh

Ex-Officio:
Marla Frank-Davis
Cantor Baruch

Education

The Education working group has historically been the group that evaluated and drove policies on Education at Temple Anshe Sholom. By working with the Rabbi and Educator, this group identifies curriculum and programs that inform and help congregants express their Judaism in some capacity.

The group is committed to raising Reform Jews whose identity is firmly grounded in Torah and Jewish texts and connected to Israel, our history, culture, language and traditions. The group may look at potential changes to curriculum, policies, fee structures, salaries, timelines, and eligibility of students and structure of the Religious School program. We engage in outreach and creative ways to attract new families to our Religious School. Fundraising has also become an ongoing focus.

Chair: Aaron Walsh

Members:
Carrie Posner-Sniderman
Gillian Burman
Joel Dubrofsky
Donna Sampson
Matthew Feldman
Paula Korman
Rhonda Dahan

Ex-Officio:
Dora-Ann Cohen Ellison

Finance & Budgeting

The role of the Budget and Finance working group is primarily to provide financial oversight for the Temple, which includes budgeting and financial planning, financial reporting, and the creation and monitoring of internal controls and accountability policies. The group has established the pricing procedure for space rentals to outside organizations; and monitors membership dues collection.

Chair: Ettan Romm

Members:
Liora Malka
Tami Rotman-Martino
Gillian Burman
Paul Jaye

Ex-Officio:
Marla Frank-Davis
Cantor Baruch

Staff:
Keana Pakosh
Paul Sarmento

Human Resources

The purpose of the Working Group is to oversee the creation and implementation of our policies and procedures.

Chair: Tom Gorsky

Members:
Tami Rotman-Martino
Mitch Levine
Angelique Hamilton

Ex-Officio:
Marla Frank-Davis

Israel Engagement

The purpose of the Israel Engagement working group is to educate the Temple Community about Zionism and Israel; cultivate an enduring love of Israel and a commitment to its well-being and; liaise with ARZA Canada ensure that the temple community is fully engaged in their work.

Chair: Gerald Fisher

Members:
Anna-Rae Fishman
Glenna Eby
Norm Eby
Cheri Elson
Ralph Benmergui
Dan Kollek
Laura Wolfson
Bradley Davis

Ex-Officio:
Cantor Baruch
Marla Frank-Davis

Marketing & Income Generation

The Marketing and Income Generation working group is
responsible for marketing the Temple’s programs and services
to members and to the Jewish community at large and to
generate income for TAS through creative initiatives. Members
consider the most appropriate marketing vehicles and channels
and marketing messages to connect with audiences. The group
creates on-going and one-off fundraising events, researches and
identifies grants from appropriate foundations and creates in a
robust planned giving strategy. This group approves and
streamlines marketing and fundraising efforts by other Temple
groups.

Chair: Ettan Romm

Members:
Gillian Burman
Yves Apel
Ginny Levine
Josh Grant-Young

Ex-Officio:
Marla Frank-Davis
Cantor Baruch
Dora-Ann Cohen Ellison

Staff:
Shelby Frank-Davis
Keana Pakosh

Membership & Retention

The purpose of the Working Group is to oversee the dues commitment structure for new and existing members, develop a marketing campaign(s) including social media and manage our welcoming introduction to new members.

Chair: Lorraine Cohen

Members:
Sue Passow
Alan Morantz

Ex-Officio:
Marla Frank-Davis
Cantor Baruch
Dora-Ann Cohen Ellison

Staff:
Shelby Frank-Davis
Keana Pakosh

Ritual

This working group meets Task Force will meet from time to time at the request of the Rabbi to consider a variety of both broad and specific issues related to religious services and synagogue protocols.

The group offers guidance to the Temple’s ritual leadership who seek to educate the congregation, and gauge its temperature on certain matters before instituting changes.

Chair: Paul Jaye

Members:
Carrie Posner-Sniderman
Laura Cattari
Lorraine Cohen
Norm Eby
Roy Pollington

Social Action

This working group undertakes projects and other activities that enhance the welfare of society, both Jewish and Non-Jewish. This working group performs actions of Tikkun Olam.

Chairs: Karen Rosenberg & Paul Jaye

Members:
Mark Davidson
Ezra Teitel
Kathryn Ferguson
Lisa Feinberg
Rachel Weiss
Sarina Isenberg
Angelique Hamilton
Soraya Quintela Chusyd
Lori Dessau
Sandra Rabin
Janet Kronick
Shelle Rose Charvet

Ex-Officio:
Cantor Baruch
Evie Auchinvole

The Succession Planning working group focuses on the identification, development and mentoring of leadership and governance skills among the Temple’s volunteer members serving on the Board of Trustees and the Working Groups and Task Forces. By intentionally cultivating leadership, TAS is investing in today’s and tomorrow’s leaders, using the new governance model (2019) as a framework for for building members’ confidence and support for aspirational leadership at TAS.

This group requires members with expertise in technical skills and soft skills plus experience in training, team building, mentoring, etc. so consultants (defined here as a part of a family unit who is a non-Jewish partner) are also welcome and encouraged to serve on this working group but voting is reserved for members only.

Chair: Ginny Levine

Members:
Carrie Posner-Sniderman
Sarina Isenberg
Steve Smith

Ex-Officio:
Marla Frank-Davis