Committees

Beth El strives to provide diverse programming and services for all of our congregants, and we couldn’t do it without help from our dedicated volunteers. Below is a list of our committees and their chairs. Feel free to contact them if you have questions or want to learn about volunteer opportunities. If the chair does not have an email link, please send your inquiry to Executive Director Allison Newfeld.

• BESTT – Caryn Scheer
  Setting policy and advising the Eduction Director for Beth El Synagogue Talmud Torah (BESTT) and Youth Activities.
• Budget – Miriam Gottlieb
  Prepare a budget with staff recommendations for each fiscal year, based on anticipated expenses and revenue. Monitor income and expense on a monthly basis. Make recommendations and projections for the long-term needs of the synagogue.
• Building & Grounds – Phil Wayne and Bob Belgrade
  Monitor synagogue maintenance and upkeep, make recommendations for improvements/repairs, and identify long-range capital needs.
• Bylaws – Jay Gordman
  Review and recommend changes to the bylaws as needed.
• Chesed Committee – Open Position
  Extend special assistance to those individuals/families when times are the most difficult (illness, aging, death) and also at the most joyous times (birth).
• Disability Inclusion – Bob Wolfson  
  Look for opportunities for all people to get the accommodations they require in order to fully participate in congregational life.
• Cemetery Committee – Bruce Kutler and Bob Belgrade
  Arrange for adequate care and upkeep of the synagogue cemetery, including maintaining financial operation, maps, records and long-term planning.
• Engagement –  Margie Gutnik, Melissa Schop and Stephanie Grossman
• Greeters/Gabbaim/Service Coordinators –  David Finkelstein
• Membership –  Erika Lucoff
  Welcome newcomers and acquaint them with various aspects of the synagogue, deliver new member welcome baskets, develop new ideas for the first year of membership, and encourage congregants to bring new and prospective members to synagogue events.
• Life & Legacy – Joel Rich and Larry DeBruin
• Men's Group - Howard K. Marcus
• Miriam Initiative - Abby Kutler
  Implement programs and events for the women of Beth El
• Personnel Practices – Open
  Develop HR materials and procedures for Beth El
• Religious Life – Ari Kohen
  Ensure that the religious nature of the congregation is a priority and recommend steps to heighten commitment, and provide education about Jewish worship, synagogue religious practices, and the Conservative approach. Develop recommendations to changes in practices and procedures as the need arises.
• Scholarship – Shane Kotok and Nancy Skid
  Set policy and disburse Jewish Service Grants to Beth El students to attend approved Jewish summer camps or Israel experiences, determine allocations and program parameters, and support fundraising efforts.
• Security – Ophir Palmon
  Review all security checklists, procedures and guidelines to ensure Beth El Synagogue has adequate procedures in place to respond to all natural disasters and security threats.  Work closely with local law enforcement and the ADL to ensure that Beth El Synagogue remains protected from all known threats identified by any of these agencies.
• Social Action – Open
  Initiate programs that respond to humanitarian issues and causes, and initiate and plan social action and community service programs. Involve congregants in a variety of programs.
• Welcoming the Stranger – Allan Murow 
  Welcome refugee families to Omaha by providing household items, greeting them at the airport and proving post-arrival support.
• Young Adults – Sarah Frey
  Implement programs and events for congregants and community members in the 21-40 year old age group. Develop and maintain a database of this demographic, engaging in ongoing communications in order to integrate them into different areas of synagogue life.

In addition to the above areas, there are often other volunteer opportunities. Click here if you would like more information about volunteer opportunities.