Volunteering one’s time and expertise is not only a recognized Jewish value, but one that is highly prized in our Temple community. Tikun Olam is imperative to repair the world and reflects the Jewish values of Justice (tzedakah), Compassion (hesed) and Peace (shalom). The concept has come to symbolize the quest for social justice, freedom, equality, peace, and the restoration of the environment. It is a call to action for us to repair the world through social action and our thoughtful interaction with the world and the people around us. Tikun Olam recognizes that each act of kindness, no matter how small, helps to build a new world. Opportunities for Tikun Olam within the Temple Emanu-El community are numerous and diverse. Our members are encouraged to lend their hearts, souls, and minds to the areas of our community that most interests them. Beyond the immense satisfaction of assisting to organize a program or helping someone, volunteering is the ideal way to meet other members of our diverse Temple Emanu-El community. Some of these committees deal with internal programs and functions, while others deal with the community at large. Newcomers to Rhode Island or just to Emanu-El will never have an easier opportunity to meet people with common goals and values. Some of the committees may be full and are not looking for additional members at this time. Others are growing, adding new programs and looking for additional volunteers. The best way to get involved is to look over the main committees listed here and contact the chairperson or coordinator for the ones of interest to see if there are opportunities for you to get involved.
Budget and Finance Committee - Seth Kurn, Chair: sethkurn@cox.net
Cemetery Committee – Murray Gereboff, Chair – contact the Temple office for additional information or to contact the chair.
Temple Emanu-El plays an important role in the lives of our congregants by providing cemetery space for its members. This committee sets policies, establishes guidelines and is responsible to see that the cemetery is in good shape for the membership.
Children, Youth and Families Committees –
Our Temple is a very family-friendly place. This committee develops programs, establishes policy, and helps introduce new members of the community to the wonderful programs that are offered to families and children.
College Outreach Committee – Lesley Landau, Chair: landaufamily4@cox.net
The Temple’s College Outreach Committee sends a bit of Temple Emanu-El to our college students – wherever they are. The committee sends email messages a few times a year, as well as welcome, fun, and delicious holiday packages.
Endowment Committee - Jerrold Lavine, Chair: Jll330@aol.com
Executive Committee - Nathan Beraha, Chair: nberaha@gmail.com
Gabbayim Committee - Judy Greenblatt, Chair: judygreenb@aol.com
Havurah Committee - Rabbi Seltzer, jseltzer@teprov.org or Miriam Abrams-Stark: Miriam@teprov.org
House Committee - Howard Bromberg, Chair: k1vsj@aol.com
Institute for Jewish Studies – Michael Goldenberg, Chair: MRG@goldenberg-muri.com
Tuesday night is an opportunity to learn at Emanu-El. The Institute provides learning opportunities if far reaching subjects of Jewish interest. The committee is charged with helping find faculty, organizing courses, and setting policy.
Legal Committee - Ronald Markoff, Chair: ron@ronmarkoff.com
Library Committee -
Marketing Committee –
The marketing committee oversees marketing and promotional efforts by all the committees of the Temple. It oversees this website and seeks ways to improve communication both within and without the Temple community.
Membership Committee -
Mentor Program - Roberta Schneider, Chair: LJS3@cox.net or 369-0045
Our mentor program is in its second year. Do you remember when you first became a member and felt the building was a maze, the options were endless and maybe you didn't know where to sit during a kiddush? Mentors are now needed to call our newest members to help them get acclimated with our building, programs, and be a friendly face.
Museum Committee - Ruth Page, Chair: rpage55@cox.net
Outreach and Retention Committee – Karen Hammarstrom,Chair: khammar@gmail.com
One of the most important ways to help our congregation grow is to reach out to various communities in our area to promote Temple Emanu-El. This committee plans events for membership growth and outreach such as Open Houses, monthly children’s “Story Time” program with arts and crafts, and other such events. The committee is currently considering restarting the Shabbat Greeter program. The committee has already begun a welcome wagon for new members to the Temple. They are looking for volunteers to deliver welcome baskets. Or perhaps you have some new ideas, such as hosting a wine tasting or managing an auction or other fundraiser? We would like your help. If you enjoy the “meet and greets” and want to help our congregation grow, this is the committee for you.
Personnel Committee - Mark Feinstein, Chair: markvid@aol.com
Religious School Committee –
Temple Emanu-El’s Religious School provides a dynamic educational experience for its students. The committee works with the school director to set policy and budget and to act as an advisory body. You need not be a parent of a current student to be a part of the committee.
Services Committee – Judy Greenblatt, Chair: judygreenb@aol.com
Religious services constitute an important part of the life of Temple Emanu-El. This committee is concerned with non-halakhic issues relating to the many services held throughout the year. The members gather feedback from Temple members in order to provide a sounding board for the clergy. This committee also evaluates prayer books and sets policies as they related to religious services.
Social Action Committee – Rebecca Kislak, Chair: rkislak@cox.net
The Temple community takes seriously its commitment to the greater community.
The Social Action Committee has opportunities for Temple members to get involved in community action. The first Sunday of every month we work with Habitat for Humanity. The group has formed a Homelessness Advocacy group seeking to influence legislation to help the homeless. In November they sponsor a clothing drive and in February there is a blood drive. They are involved with RISE (Rhode Islanders Supporting Education) and look to the community for people who are interested in mentoring underprivileged children. Many of the efforts are joint activities with various church and mosque congregations throughout RI and the neighboring states.
Strategic Planning Committee - Audrey Kupchan, Chair: arkmd@aol.com
Youth Commission Committee –
Temple Emanu-El’s youth group, Providence USY, continues to be one of the largest and most active USY chapters in New England. A past winner of several NERUSY [New England USY] Chapter of the Year Awards and a recipient of the prestigious International USY Chapter of the Year Award in 2001, the group continues to flourish. The Youth Committee works with staff to set policies and reviews USY activities. Meeting every month during the school year, the Youth Commission is a vibrant, informal group which provides support services to programming of Kadima, Junior and Senior USY.
Volunteers do not need to be members of the Youth Commission to help with youth programs. Volunteers are needed to chaperone events in Providence and out of town, to set up and prepare meals for our teens during conventions, Shabbat dinners and other programs. In addition you can work with volunteers are needed to work with the teens to staff the exciting annual Purim Carnival.
Ushers Committee - Bob Lieberman, Chair: rlieberman@cox.net