Lay Leadership
Officers and Board of Trustees
Alan Parker
President: Alan S. Parker, aparker24@comcast.net
Vice Presidents: Gail Weinstein, Gary Zachariah, Dr. Sheila Silverman, Ira Henowitz
Treasurer: Joanne M. Pasternack
Assistant Treasurer: Dr. Laura Berlin
Secretary: Lisa Levy
Assistant Secretaries: Sharone Kornman
Chairmen of the Board: Michael Levine, MD, Dr. Seymour Melnick
The Board of Trustees, consisting of twenty-seven members, generally meets at 7:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month. Meetings are open to members of the congregation. Please check with the synagogue office for any changes to the regular schedule.
Committees
Adult Education
Identifies interest and needs for adult education programs/activities in order to develop and implement programs in conjunction with the professional staff.
CONTACT Tom Fromson, (860) 236-1275, emansyn@emanuelsynagogue.org
Art
Determines artwork to be hung at the synagogue and ensures that artwork, plaques, and other items are hung properly.
CONTACT Gail Weinstein, (860) 236-1275, emansyn@emanuelsynagogue.org
Board of Education
Works with our Director of Education to oversee the operation of the Religious School.
CONTACT Dr. Andrew Magin, (860) 236-1275, emansyn@emanuelsynagogue.org
Biblical Garden
Re-creates flower, tree and shrub combinations that are mentioned in the Torah and other Biblical texts.
CONTACT Ellen Kaplan Weingold, (860) 236-1275, emansyn@emanuelsynagogue.org
B’yadeynu (Social Justice)
Promotes causes of social justice, helps those in need, and reaches out to local and national communities.
CONTACT Risa Davidson, (860) 236-1275, emansyn@emanuelsynagogue.org
Caring
Provides comfort and support to our Emanuel community in times of need and joy.
CONTACT Joanne Pasternack, (860) 236-1275, emansyn@emanuelsynagogue.org
Cemetery
Works in conjunction with the Executive Director to oversee the sale and maintenance of cemetery plots and administrative issues related to the running of the cemetery in conjunction with the Executive Director.
CONTACT Jeremy Weingast, (860) 236-1275, emansyn@emanuelsynagogue.org
Chevra Kadisha (“Holy Society”)
Sees to it that the bodies of Jews are prepared for burial according to Halakha (Jewish law) and protected from desecration until burial.
CONTACT Faith Helene, (860) 236-1275, emansyn@emanuelsynagogue.org
Dues and Assessments
Works in conjunction with the Executive Director to adjust dues and make financial considerations for congregants.
CONTACT Sydney Elkin, (860) 236-1275, emansyn@emanuelsynagogue.org
Endowment Committee
Sets investment policy for Endowment Funds, oversees investments working with a professional financial planner, and promotes new funds and planned giving.
CONTACT Jeffrey Renert, (860) 236-1275, emansyn@emanuelsynagogue.org
Finance
Formulates and provides oversight of the budget during the year and has responsibility for approving major expenses prior to Board of Trustees’ approval.
CONTACT Saul Pasternack, (860) 236-1275, emansyn@emanuelsynagogue.org
Fundraising
Plans and executes all events designed to raise additional funds for the synagogue.
CONTACT TBD
Gabbai (Torah Service Assistant)
Appoints, trains, and assigns congregants to be gabbayim who help with the Torah services and coordinate bimah protocol (e.g., handing out aliyot).
CONTACT Joe Bacher, (860) 236-1275, emansyn@emanuelsynagogue.org
Israel Solidarity
Part of the B’yadeynu Committee, this group addresses the crisis in Israel through education, advocacy, and support.
CONTACT Risa Davidson, (860) 236-1275, emansyn@emanuelsynagogue.org
House Committee
Works in conjunction with the Executive Director to oversee improvements and maintenance of the physical plant.
CONTACT Howard Smith, (860) 236-1275, emansyn@emanuelsynagogue.org
Membership
Works to increase membership, monitor membership satisfaction, and review lapsed or cancelled memberships.
CONTACT Valerie Michaels, (860) 236-1275, emansyn@emanuelsynagogue.org
Music
Helps Hazzan Cohn to plan musical events, including publicity and format.
CONTACT Joan Glazier, Regina Miller, (860) 236-1275, emansyn@emanuelsynagogue.org
Ritual
Composed of congregants and advised by our rabbi and cantor, this committee establishes and maintains the religious standards of The Emanuel Synagogue and promotes the practice of living as a Conservative Jew.
CONTACT Don Miller, (860) 236-1275, emansyn@emanuelsynagogue.org
Scholarship
Gathers requests for scholarships for USY programs and camp programs and determines amounts to be awarded.
CONTACT Jay Smith, (860) 236-1275, emansyn@emanuelsynagogue.org
Usher
Recruits, trains, and assigns congregants to be of assistance during Shabbat and holiday services.
CONTACT Joanne Pasternack, (860) 236-1275, emansyn@emanuelsynagogue.org
Website
Advises the Board of Trustees on the development of the synagogue’s website, its web strategy, and its information technology needs.
CONTACT Connections Coordinator Francene Weingast, (860) 523-7778, franiwg@comcast.net