In addition to the committees listed below, several committees feature their own page and can be found in the column on the left.

Adult Education Committee serves the dual functions of aiding the clergy in decision making about adult education and informing the Board and thereby the congregation of upcoming adult education events. The former function includes decisions regarding what might be taught and when it might best be presented. For more information please contact Ricahfrd Kaiser at richkaimd@gmail.com.

Cemetery Committee oversees the gravesites that Temple Israel owns at Sharon Gardens and Mt. Pleasant, both of which are located in Valhalla. Members may purchase any number of graves for themselves and their families. The current price is $1500 per grave and payment plans are available if needed. Although purchasing graves is rarely at the top of our to-do lists, it is a great service to do this for our families when we are able to think clear ly, when we can consider the needs and desires of other family members and when we can go out and make a site visit, if desired. Joyce Engel, our administrator, will be happy to discuss any questions you may have. It really is an easy process. For more information please contact Herb Smith at drsmith@drherbsmith.com.

Early Childhood Program (ECP) Committee provides a forum for the exchange of information and ideas between parents, teachers, and administrators; draws feedback from parents for the purpose of enhancing and setting policy for the program; and plans and executes promotional events, publicity, and advertising. Having a child in the ECP is not a prerequisite for participation; everyone is welcome to lend their talents and perspectives. Committee chairperson Beverly Hoffmann oversees the program and assists the ECP Director in setting the budget and creating enhancements to the curriculum. For more information please contact her at BCHoffmann365@aol.com.

House and Grounds Committee is responsible for overseeing the maintenance, repair and renovation of the building. Many projects involve both structural and design components. “Greening" of the Temple is a primary goal. New members, especially engineers and architects, are welcome to join this committee, which Lloyd Robinson and Adam Sobel currently chair. For more information please contact Loyd Robinson at lloyd@awisco.net or Adam Sobel at adsobway@aol.com.

Worship Committee reviews with the clergy the direction our services take so that we can be sure to offer a meaningful worship experience to our community. We look at both traditional services as well as other life cycle events, whether they be solemn or celebratory, to assure that we fulfill the needs of the soul. We seek both tradition and innovation in order to satisfy the diverse preferences of our broad spectrum of congregants. We offer services directed to the youth and very young, individuals, couples and families. We are privileged to hear the inspirations of our rabbis and cantor, helping to raise awareness of our history and our responsibilities to ourselves and the world for the future. For more information please contact Brain Heaps blheaps@hotmail.com.

Youth Committee guides the Youth Group advisors in programming and policy matters. The College Committee is responsible for sending care packages to the Temple’s college students at Chanukah and Purim and for ensuring that our students stay connected to their Temple home. For more information on the Youth Committee, please contact Richard Stoerger at richard@ada-usa.com or Richard Balik at rbalik@generalglass.com. For more information on the College Committee please contact Dianne Heaps at dheaps@verizon.net.