Volunteers

Temple Beth-El is a small-town shul with a small staff! We depend on a dedicated cadre of volunteers to make the synagogue run!  There are many opportunities to be involved with our Synagogue.  No matter what your background or time commitment may be, there is a volunteer opportunity for YOU! 

Please contact the TBE office (secretary@tbeithaca.org) to discuss any volunteer role.

Membership Committee - This committee welcomes new and potential TBE members. Meeting casually, having friendly phone conversations and delivering “welcome gifts” are part of the work. Getting people oriented, giving tours of the building, and connecting them to other community members help new members feel at home. This committee also plans annual events such as a new members Shabbat dinner and the (world-famous) TBE picnic that is held at the end of the summer. To get involved, get in touch with Marjorie Hoffman (marjorie@twcny.rr.com).

Family and Youth Programs Committee - This robust committee works in partnership with the Director of Education and Engagement and the Teen Executive Board to plan and promote engaging programs for families and teens throughout the year. Members also help welcome new families and teens to our congregation and strengthen connections within the TBE community. To get involved, get in touch with Jessie Tonjes (jessie.kanowitz@gmail.com).

Caring Committee - Bikur cholim (visiting and caring for the sick) and nichum aveilim (comforting mourners) are central mitzvot (commandments) of Judaism! The TBE Caring Committee arranges for and provides assistance to TBE members who have experienced a loss, illness, or other event that may significantly disrupt their daily activities. The Caring Committee recruits and coordinates volunteers to prepare meals, offer rides to appointments or TBE services and events, send cards, run errands, and arrange visits and phone calls. To get involved, reach out to our co-chairs Rhoda Janis (rhoda.janis@gmail.com) and Marjorie Hoffman (marjorie@twcny.rr.com).

Arts Committee - The TBE Arts Committee is a group of fun-loving people who greatly enjoy the arts and want to bring them to the Ithaca Jewish community. The goal is to enrich the lives of our congregants and to open our doors to the general community. The committee was established in 1992 and since then, they have established a number of annual and one-off events including rotating galleries in the TBE social hall, community-wide Chanukah Arts Festival, and more! To get involved, get in touch with Marjorie Hoffman (marjorie@twcny.rr.com).

Security Committee - Members of this committee keep our community safe! Besides updating current security policies and procedures that are in place, the committee  works to ensure that building security, in-person gatherings, and daily activities are conducted in a manner where everyone feels welcomed, and everyone is safe. To get involved, get in touch with Myra Berkowitz (mjb20@cornell.edu).

Fundraising Committee - Just over half of TBE's annual budget is covered by membership dues. Almost all the rest is covered by donations. The Fundraising Committee plays a huge role in keeping TBE vibrant! They hosts events, schmooze with stakeholders, and do some of the most high-impact behind-the-scenes work in the synagogue. To get involved, get in touch with Melissa Musiker (melissa.musiker@gmail.com).

Adult Education - The Adult Education Committee curates a robust and diverse program of Jewish adult education opportunities throughout the year. From classes on the Book of Esther, to Exploring Judaism 101, to prayer leadership, to talks about Second Temple period archaeology, this committee makes sure that Jewish learning does not stop after b'nei mitzvah! To get involved, get in touch with Ross Bran (ross.brann@cornell.edu).

Office Support - Temple Beth-El has a need for support in the office when we need occasional coverage or helping out with office tasks such as envelope stuffing. To get involved, get in touch with Adeena Brown (secretary@tbeithaca.org).

IT Support - We have an ongoing need for IT help in the area of web design, audio expertise, and Microsoft Office 365 (Email and OneDrive).  Please consider helping in one of those areas if you have the appropriate skill set. To get involved, get in touch with David Weiner (dith607@gmail.com).

Please reach out to us at secretary@tbeithaca.org if you would like to help out!