Submitted by Bob Ritter

Shehecheyanu.

I have some good news, and I have some bad news. The good news, is that I am your last speaker. The bad news, is that I am your last speaker.

Eleanor Roosevelt said, “In the long run there is no more liberating, no more exhilarating experience than to determine one’s position, state it bravely, and then act boldly. Action brings with it its own courage, its own energy, a growth of self-confidence that can be acquired in no other way.”

During my years as an officer of VT, I have taken the approach of “discern, decide, do.” And tonight, in my final president’s report, I would like to tell you about our results and also the unfinished work we have.

Let me start by stating everything that your board has accomplished, we accomplished together. Even those things which may seem like an effort of just a few people would not have been possible without others!

There are five central themes that I concentrated on:
1. Hamacom
2. Recognize and Meet Fiscal Challenges:
3. An External/Community Perspective
4. Onward & Upward
5. Look to the Future

1. Hamacom:
Our temple is a holy place worthy of our care and respect. Starting with just keeping it clean. We have dealt with many difficult facility challenges these last few years. A boiler replacement with a conversion to less expensive natural gas. We abated mold in our lower classrooms and installed a new tile floor. We took measures to reduce flooding with heat tape, a new gutter, installed additional B-dry drainage and new sump pumps, removed a concrete obstruction to drainage in the rear, and made significant improvements to our roof and chimney. We did an asbestos abatement and refurbished our balcony and east chapel. We refurbished every classroom upstairs, and the three offices for the RS director, Sherrie, Rabbi Berkowitz, replaced our lobby, hall, and stairwell carpeting, and did what we could with our sanctuary carpet. Thanks to our Sisterhood we replaced our kitchen cabinets which were literally falling apart and our put up new blinds in our social hall. We repaired and replaced some AC units. We added security cameras. We converted to energy efficient led lighting. Even little things like a mailbox, a sign on our front door, and organizing our bulletin boards all make a difference. We painted the portico pillars, roof fascia, and front doors. And thanks to generous donors, we refurbished our beautiful stained glass windows and constructed a lovely new patio.

Vassar Temple has received a lot of needed attention. And we did all this without raising our dues, which leads me to the 2nd theme.

2. Recognize and Meet Fiscal Challenges:
We are not here to make a profit, but we have a responsibility to operate in fiscally proper ways. It hasn’t been easy to prepare a budget that reflects both our financial realities and our values, and it didn’t help not having a treasurer for a year. But we were determined not to raise dues!

While we were making significant capital investments, we were also making adjustments to bring our operating costs down to a more sustainable level. We’ve achieved savings in salaries, heating, and electricity expenses. Unfortunately, because of city building requirements and the needs of our building we have also picked up major costs. But despite our burdens we still managed to operate below our budget for expenses. And while dues revenue was down, we have managed to raise funds and income in other ways.

Fund raising resulted in significant support for ritual, operations and building. We began with a hugely successful gala. We had an installation dinner ($10K), Fiddler trip ($800) (I hear the play was great), a Wine & Cheese ($500), a Movable Feast/Jewish Deli Night ($1500), plus nearly $30K in gifts which made our Patio and Windows restoration possible. And there have been other individual acts of generosity. We also tried something that is significant psychologically – we made HHD tickets for non-members a voluntary donation and we raised more money and received no complaints. Scrip profits continue to be crucial to temple finances, and we have faith that it can contribute even more in the future.

We have set out to leverage our social hall, refurbished kitchen, and volunteers to make special occasions work better financially for the temple. You saw how we transformed our social hall for Rabbi’s installation dinner. We showed the social hall and kitchen is a viable venue for some special occasions. We urge our members to consider it for significant life cycle events! You can help the Temple, save money, and tie Rabbi Berkowitz’s blessing in with your occasion. What could be more perfect? Seriously … Think about it!!

Staying with finances, because we must, we sought more opportunities for support from outside the temple. We received $1700 in grants from the Schlossberg Family Fund and the Poughkeepsie Library District for today’s showing of Complicit. And $2500 from the Federation for an Israeli Day project. We can do better! We must leverage the resources of other organizations in the community through partnerships on projects, special events, and initiatives, like we are doing to put on programming at the Adriance Library and with Vassar College and other faith based groups for the Vassar Solidarity Initiative.

Our involvement with various social action projects, such as those on Mitzvah Day, Cereal Counts, Can Jam, Turkey Trot, Tzedaka collections and other projects all help heal the world without putting a financial strain on the temple.

Vassar Temple is small, but we have been blessed in big ways over our many years as evidenced by our Special Funds. Jen Dahnert prepared a sheet about our many Special Funds and what they are each for which is posted to the temple blog. Link to list of funds. These funds are meant to be used! Use brings benefits to the temple, to you, and is a blessing as well to the donor.

Use of those directed funds encourages further giving. Giving for a specific purpose is another way to give which the older generation are familiar with but had gone a bit dormant. We are bringing that back. Thanks to the Robert Lipshitz fund we were able to purchase an electric piano and percussion instruments and take our musical experience to new places. It is a special feeling which I am sure Elaine will attest to, to see your money go to something so personally meaningful. Another example of making a gift for a special purpose is the Erlebachers’ gift of funds for a new building sign which we are planning and need to get approved by the city. And there are those who give just to sustain us. Like the Seligmans. Gilbert and I were talking about the patio while it was under construction. Gilbert asked me, what did it cost. I told him, $15,876.00. He asked, did you raise that much. I said no, we received $15k from Emily and Howard Himelstein. He said then, “I want to give the remaining $876.00, but I want it to be anonymous. I want the Himelsteins to get all the credit.” After thanking him, I said I want to ask you a favor. I want to tell people about your gift. Because it may motivate others. We need that. He said, “if it will help, then OK, but I only want their name on it!”

Yesterday I got a call from my friends Michael Arnoff, and his father Richard Arnoff to tell me about trees and flowers he was planting by the gates he installed at our Route 44 Cemetery. He also hired a person to power wash the grave stones. He just did it – because it needed to be done!

In the near future we are going to try crowd funding to raise money for the new projector the temple needs. If people can raise thousands this way over the Internet, why can’t we? We shall see … we can too!

Let me foreshadow another wonderful way we can fund raise. This idea came from Alan Kaflowitz. The same guy who gave me the idea to raffle off the contents of the safe. So, are you feeling lucky? Here is sure way for everyone to be a winner! We need to purchase the new HHD prayer books which Rabbi wants us to have. Instead of the temple spending thousands of dollars we frankly do not have, we can each purchase our own books, and our Temple will inscribe them as you wish. So on the holidays, when you sit down and open your prayer book you will see a name of a member, and hopefully a friend, and if you’re lucky, your own name. So, are you feeling lucky?

Right now we need to purchase a new religious school curriculum. And Rabbi and Julie would love to have people consider a gift of books for our students – a gift that will get used for 5 or even 10 years! Maybe that’s right for you or someone you love.

Some people get uncomfortable when a temple or church talks about money. Don’t be!! Because sustaining Vassar Temple is the only way we can be Vassar Temple – it’s the only way we’ve made it 168 years!

3. External / Community Perspective:
We know Vassar Temple is wonderful. But our future depends on our ability to let the population in the Poughkeepsie area know this. There is a fundamental marketing principle referred to as AIDA, which stands for Attention, Interest, Desire, and Action. Before you can expect action, let alone trigger desire, we have to catch people’s attention and interest.

The unaffiliated population in our area is the key to VT’s future. Some are Jews who’ve turned their back on all temples, but not on Judaism. Some have turned their backs on their Jewish roots, but want to find their way back. Some have a tiny bit of Jewish ancestry. Some have none but are searching, and may do well to discover Reform Judaism. The motivations for engaging with a temple run the gamete. Reform belief system and openness make Vassar Temple especially suited for Interfaith marriages, Jews by Choice, and those are Jew curious! Our ritual and Torah study is no less Jewish, it is just more accessible. And our efforts to heal the world are compelling.

The greatest days, from a membership standpoint were also the greatest growth years of the Poughkeepsie area, after which, since the late 80’s Poughkeepsie began a long slide! The past years, the USA had a great recession and the slowest recovery on record. But the days of a vibrant economy in the Poughkeepsie area have started, and they will bring greater prosperity to our temple.

A rising tide lifts all boats. The Buzz is Back in Poughkeepsie, and as Poughkeepsie gets its mojo back, Vassar Temple will benefit. We’ve seen how demographics can change everything in Beacon. It can and will happen in Poughkeepsie, the Queen City, too. And thanks to much of the work we’ve done as a board and organization at Vassar Temple, we’re ready! Bring on the Buzz!!

The community is our future so we’re doing things to make the connection. Here are examples:

We’ve developed ties with Adriance Library. We caught people’s attention and interest with Music in the Torah, and Dueling Rabbi’s and a film about the first woman Rabbi, Regina Jonas and her fearless pursuit of the Torah right up to her murder by the Nazis.

The Sukkah open house introduced the new city of Poughkeepsie Mayor to Vassar Temple.

Our Torah To Go activity has given us a very unique and powerful way to introduce ourselves while we introduce the Torah and Judaism to the community. God works in mysterious ways and I personally believe we can not calculate or foresee all the amazing possibilities this program can lead to! If Vassar Temple leads with the Torah, God will carry us the rest of the way!

This morning we had the Complicit Film Screening with Long Island Temple Educator and attracted 140 people to our Sanctuary on a Wed. morning!!

There are more examples such as:
– Our return to Gesher where we join the community to educate our high school children in ways that take a community.
– Our Social Media Presence with the use of FB, our blog, and growing YouTube Channel.
– Field Trips are another way we can go out into the community such as (Fiddler) . And we tried with RS but weather required us to postpone that.
– Support a refugee family in cooperation with VC and other faith groups
– Our Shabbatons with other temples
– The interfaith march
– We’re working with Half Moon Theater and hopefully their will be an interesting theatrical event with a uniquely Jewish theme.
– Advertisements in both the Half Moon and Vassar Powerhouse theater programs.
– Our hands came together with the community on several amazing Mitzvah day projects.
– And, let’s never forget our involvement in the Lunchbox!
– Our numerous Social Action gifts help heal the world and expose people to the very best about Vassar Temple. As they bring out the very best in us.

The Buzz is Back in Poughkeepsie … and the Buzz is Back at Vassar Temple.

4. Onward & Upward:
A temple is never done. Especially not a Reform Temple. We’re always adapting and these last few years have been filled with transition. Transition requires an openness to change and a willingness to do the hard work it takes! It took countless hours and huge effort to change our Office Manager, and Education Director, and replace Rabbi Golomb so he could take retirement. The Nominating committee has to replenish our Board and Officers,

We even changed our cleaning service and other contractors

We’ve transitioned our Committee Chairs, for the RS, Ritual, Music, and Sisterhood. With all these changes, leadership and staff have been open to change in their areas of responsibility. For example, our Ritual Chair, Sandra, worked with Rabbi to go to one HHD evening service; our Religious School Chair Shaari Roland and Rabbi are integrating the Gesher program; our new religious school education director will work with Rabbi to make our school even better with a new curriculum and teacher development;

Onward & Upward means exploring how we could use music to further enhance our ritual experience – starting with a piano and percussion. We have more exciting things in store for our members because we love song.

And, Sherrie, in our office has done a lot to improve our back-off with systems.

Onward & Upward includes enacting By-Laws amendments that make sense and are needed to right size our board, affirm our acceptance of the LGBT community, comply with new laws for non-profit organizations.

While we must remain open to change, we must also preserve the traditions we’ve come to cherish and which work. Like our community Passover Seder, Hanukkah celebration, and Purim Spiel.

5. Looking to the Future Aware That we have Unfinished Business.

(Avot 2:21) attributed to Rabbi Tarfon, says “It is not incumbent upon you to complete the work, but neither are you at liberty to desist from it.”

Every President leaves unfinished business. I’m no different.

We’ve done a lot to get ready to grow membership – and now we have to concentrate on that. I’ve already described a lot of the things we need to do to increase membership.

At my first HHD President’s speech, I said , “The only thing that matters is if being A Jew Matters To You, then this temple does too.” Our leadership and membership stepped up and proved being a Jew and VT do matter! And, for the last few years we have drawn on the strength of our congregation. From strength to strength – we are stronger together!

Now the question is not internal question directed at you. It’s an external question directed at people in our community. “Is there a little bit of Jew in You?” For literally hundreds of years our people have been separated and diluted. Out of fear and necessity many Jews lost touch with their roots. We faced stifling anti-semitism that lead us to change our names and our religion. And yet, I’m convinced that the image of Judaism has never been better or more desirable! According to Pew Research, Judaism has an extremely high favorable rating. Nearly twice that of either political candidates. (Had to through that in. Notice how I have balanced my criticism.)

People who have a little bit of Jew in them are curious. So are those who’ve become disenchanted with other religions. Some are going through significant life cycle moments for which a temple can help. And, because Reform Judaism is such an amazing path, and we are such a lovely temple, I’m convinced that all we need to do at Vassar Temple is help them to find us.

Drawing on the strength of our past we can build a stronger future. And, when we do, it will take care of our other needs, finance, building, social benefits, social action, and more!

When we grow our membership back to 250+ we’ll be able to build a entrance circle with handicap parking and drop off spaces. We’ll be able to repair the retaining wall and side entrance. We’ll be able to refurbish our sanctuary and build a handicap accessible restroom and changing room on the first floor. We’ll be able to install better storm water drainage. We’ll be able to give our social hall a face lift.

This final fifth theme, looking to the future, is the perfect place to end this meeting. Because we are never done, thank God. This is why VT has survived 168 year years, through the civil war, WWI, the great depression, the Holocaust and WWII, and why the Torah the and Jewish people have lasted. Because we are never done, we are forever transitioning onward & upward. And the reason we are able to do that is because of people like those who are serving on our new board of trustees who said Heneni! And because you, our fellow members and friends, who ask how can we help? How can we be a part of this community – our Jewish village.

The answer is simply this! Be on the team – the membership team. You can be a player, you can be a fan. They’re both important. Pick a position you feel comfortable playing on the membership team. And join the fun – and cheer! L’chaim!

MEMORANDUM

TO:  Bob Ritter

FROM: Jennifer Sachs Dahnert

DATE:  June 14, 2016

RE:  Summary of Vassar Temple restricted funds

At the request of the Vassar Temple Executive Committee I am pleased to submit the following memo for distribution to the Temple Membership at the June 15, 2016 Congregational Meeting.  I regret that a work commitment precludes my ability to attend the meeting to present this in person, and hope that the following information will achieve the objectives of the Temple leadership in asking me to provide this information.

Our conversation regarding restricted funds stemmed from questions raised within the Temple membership regarding expenditure of funds and accountability around designated funds.  In compiling this information, I seek to remove any mystery that may exist regarding the purposes of specific funds and how decisions are made regarding their use.  The information that follows is intended to provide a base of information that is reinforced through the pieces I began publishing in the Temple Bulletin last summer (“Fund Facts”).

 
In general, individuals wishing to make philanthropic contributions to Vassar Temple are encouraged to make their gifts for unrestricted purposes, to support operating expenses for the Temple and thus strengthen the financial underpinnings of our Temple.  Some donors, however, prefer to attach their contributions to specific purposes – also known as “restricted funds” – so that they can have a more direct awareness of the impact of their donations.  Following is a complete list of all current funds toward which those who are inclined may direct their contributions to the Temple.  

 
Hineni Fund

The Hineni Fund provides ongoing support for Vassar Temple’s Seth A. Erlebacher Religious School and youth programs. The name Hineni – meaning “here I am” – reflects the devotion to Jewish youth and education demonstrated by Temple President Seth Erlebacher (1965-2011) and his enduring legacy of service.

 
Tree of Life

The Tree of Life provides a means to honor the living and commemorate joyous events.  Half of the proceeds from the Tree of Life fund go directly into the Endowment Fund; the other provides current-use support for ongoing programs and operations of the Temple. Following are the various sponsorship levels on the Tree of Life:  Leaf — $180.00; Large Branch — $1,800.00; Rock — $2,800.00; Trunk — $7,500.00.

 
Memorial Plaques

The names of departed loved ones are listed on bronze plaques in the sanctuary.  On each Yahrzeit and at every Memorial Service, a memorial light is kindled beside the plauue and the name is remembered from the pulpit.  The current minimum donation for a Memorial Plaque is $500.

 
Sustaining (General) Fund

Contributions to this fund provide an additional source of current use funds for the Temple.  The fund is administered by the Board of Trustees and is to be used for operating expenses and appropriate non-capital projects (e.g. not building projects).  Various Temple committees rely upon this fund and as such, it has a direct impact on the entire congregation.

 
Capital Fund

This fund is used for repairs, maintenance and physical improvements to the Temple.  Each new Temple member unit is assessed a contribution to the Capital Fund, which is paid n the first full year of membership, but may also be paid in annual installments up to a five-year period.  Additional contributions help offset the potential need for additional capital assessments and may be made at any time.

 
Rabbi’s Fund

This fund is administered at the Rabbi’s discretion to provide additional professional materials or services and to make financial assistance available to individuals and causes deemed appropriate.  Contributions to this fund may be made in any amount at any time.

 
Nathan L. Reifler Memorial Library Fund

Donations to the Nathan Reifler Fund are used to purchase books, CD, publications and materials for our Temple and thereby build on the strong Jewish tradition of education, teaching and learning. Purchase decisions are made by our Rabbi and the Library Committee.  With a minimum contribution of $15, donors may request a bookplate noting the donor or honoree.

 
Community Tzedakah Fund

This fund supports Vassar Temple’s commitment to worthy organizations serving the needy in our community, particularly the Lunch Box program. In the event that insufficient food donations are made for a particular meal at the Lunch Box, money from this fund is used to offset expenses.

 
Groten Fund

The Groten Fund supports Social Action programming stemming from Vassar Temple and generally offsets expenses of the Social Action Committee. Expenditures from this fund are recommended by the Social Action Committee and approved by the Temple Board.

 
Trees in Israel Fund

Contributions are used to buy trees in Israel. A minimum donation of $18 is required. 

Robert H. Lipschutz Scholar’s Fund

This fund was established in memory of Robert H. Lipshultz to perpetuate the values and ideals he espoused. His dedication to Jewish education and community service translates to an award every other year to enable a Vassar Temple college-age student to pursue a special project in Jewish Studies and to funding for special music programs. A committee to determine the award is comprised of the Rabbi, the Educational Director and members of the Adult Education, Music and Youth Committees.

 
Andrew Erdreich Youth Education Fund

This fund honors the memory of Andrew Erdreich, an active member of the Youth Group who was also confirmed at Vassar Temple. Monies are used to benefit the children and young people of the congregation. Decisions about the specific use of the money will be made after consultations among the Rabbi, President, Treasurer and Director of Education.

 
Alexander D’Imperio Fund

This fund, honoring the memory of Alexander D’Imperio, sponsors supplementary educational experiences such as field trips and events of Jewish interest. The education of our Temple religious school students is enhanced by these special educational events.

 
Grandmother’s Fund

The Grandmother’s Fund was established by Dr. and Mrs. Albert Rosenberg to support programs and projects affecting the youth and children of Vassar Temple. Programs supported in the past include field trips, Shabbatons, Youth or Junior Youth Group activities. The authorizing committee is comprised of the President of the Board of Trustees, President of Sisterhood, Rabbi, chairperson of the Religious School Committee, the chairperson of the Youth Committee, and up to two additional people. The President of the Board will convene a meeting periodically, at least once a year, to determine which programs will be funded.

 
Mildred Gould Religious School Fund

This fund, established in memory of longtime beloved Temple member, Mildred Gould, is used to purchase materials for the Religious School based on a list of needed books and materials compiled by the Religious School Director. Donors can designate a specific item on the list or make a general gift to the fund. When appropriate, these materials will indicate the name of the contributor and/or the occasion for which the donation was made.

 
Paul Fa’gut Religious School Fund

This fund, honoring the memory of Paul Fa’gut, is used to purchase educational materials such as books, CDs and DVDs for the benefit of the 6th and 7th grade students in the Seth Erlebacher Religious School. The decision about the particular materials to be purchased each year will be made by the Director of Education.

 
Richard Satz Audio-Visual Fund

This fund honors the memory of Richard Satz, who was a prominent member of Vassar Temple. Donations are utilized to provide instructional media equipment for the Vassar Temple Religious School.

 
Music Fund

The Music Fund was established to support the musical programming at Vassar Temple. Expenditures from the fund are recommended by the Music Committee and approved by the Temple Board.

 
Prayer Book Fund

Vassar Temple’s regular prayer book is Mishkan T’filah, published by the Central Conference of American Rabbis in 2007. Through the generosity of Matthew and Muriel Lampell and Ralph and Marian Schwartz, the Temple was able to acquire a full set of the new siddurim as soon as they were published.  This is a current use fund and books purchased through it recognize the donors with a bookplate on the inside front cover of each book.  Those wishing to dedicate one or more copies in honor of a person or occasion, or in memory of a loved one, you may do so with a contribution of $36 per book, which funds the preservation of the new books and their replacement when necessary.

 
Vassar Temple Sisterhood General Fund

Donations “in appreciation” or “in memory” are accepted for the general fund for Sisterhood and may be used for a wide variety of purposes. Previous examples include offsetting the costs of Tiny Temple, supporting the Andrea Rabin Scholarship Fund (scholarships for teens to attend the National Federal of Temple Youth conclaves), and contributions to youth programming through the Youth Scholarship Fund (scholarships to attend summer camps with Jewish programming and also for programs in Israel).  Gifts of any amount may be made at any time.  Expenditure decisions are made by the Sisterhood leadership in discussion with the Temple Executive.

 
Endowment Fund

The endowment fund is a corpus of resources whose interest income provides a revenue stream that supplements dues and fund raising income to support religious, cultural, educational, social and other programming. In order to maintain the spending power of the endowment, only a portion of annual income is spent while the balance is reinvested in the principal.  Contributions to the Endowment Fund may be made as outright gifts during members’ lifetimes and as testamentary gifts through bequest provisions.  Gifts can be made in the form of cash, checks, stocks, bonds, real estate (both income and non-income producing), interests in family partnerships and life insurance policies.  Pledges may be made and fulfilled over a three-year period. A donor who makes a gift of $10,000 or more may designate the specific area to which the income generated by the gift shall be applied, and those funds shall be acknowledged in the donor’s name. Endowment gifts of less than $10,000 provide income that is used for the aforementioned purposes.  Gifts to the endowment (or any of the funds mentioned above) may be made anonymously. The Board serves as a gift acceptance committee on proposed contributions to the endowment, as necessary.  Under no circumstances shall the endowment Fund be commingled with those of any other fund.

The Temple is indebted to the generations of generous donors whose enduring support has sustained the vitality of our congregation.  I welcome questions or feedback from any members who wish to discuss any aspect of their philanthropic support of Vassar Temple.