Committees

The staff and lay leadership are thrilled to help members become involved in any aspect of synagogue life. To be involved with a committee or project, call the office and we'll connect you with the appropriate committee chair. Below is a list of committees that are active in our congregation. The level of activity of each committee varies from year to year.

Adult Education

Supports the Program Director in providing an excellent adult education program; organizes courses and course catalogs; sponsors the scholar-in-residence program, which brings a noted Jewish scholar to Seattle for a weekend of Jewish learning; coordinates Hebrew classes for adults; sponsors special programs; administers the Adult Education Fund. Contact Ron DeChene if you would like to get involved with the Adult Education Committee.

Art Committee

The art committee focuses on the beautification of the synagogue through the attainment of objects d'arte and the commissioning of Judaica artists. Working closely with the board of directors and other committees, these volunteers assess the synagogue’s artistic needs and propose exciting new projects and purchases which reflect not only the spirituality, but also the collective creative mind of our membership.

Building and Grounds Committee

Coordinates maintenance and care for the synagogue's building and grounds; establishes a preventive maintenance program; organizes lawn and garden-care parties and other beautification projects; establishes a budget for facilities operations and for a maintenance fund for large repairs to the physical plant.

Learn more about our Facilities.

Cemetery

This group of dedicated volunteers oversees Beth Shalom's cemetery, including sales of cemetery plots and making funeral and burial policy recommendations to the Rabbi and Board of Directors. Due to this committee’s hard work, Beth Shalom has its own cemetery.

Daily Minyan Committee

Working closely with the rabbi, this group ensures the sustained viability of CBS’ daily minyanim. Not only do they coordinate and run the minyanim, they also recruit other members to share in this communal responsibility.

Learn more about our Daily & Weekly Services.

Davening/Leyning/Darshan Rotations

Volunteer coordinators regularly make these assignments from a list of prayer leaders (shlichay tzibbur), who have met certain standards for mastery of the service and vocal quality. Congregants are encouraged to lead Beth Shalom services. Preparatory courses on Hebrew, davening, leyning, and chanting skills are taught regularly through the adult education program.

Development Team

Dues alone do not cover the expenses of running our synagogue. The Development Team plans and implements all synagogue-wide fundraising, such as the High Holiday appeal, Double Chai Plus Chavurah, and special campaigns as need arises. Thanks to the generosity of our members, over the years we have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to support the shul's ongoing activities and have purchased property on two lots adjacent to CBS.

Finance Committee

Supports the executive director in preparing and monitoring the annual synagogue budget. Works closely with the executive director in recommending financial policies to the board of directors; coordinates with the revenue development committee.

Gabbai Corps.

Gabbaim are responsible for greeting and helping to make congregants and guests feel welcome at Beth Shalom. They are responsible for assigning aliyot, and for assuring services run smoothly from the prospective of protocol and decorum. It is often the gabbaim that congregants turn to when they have a question or concern during service.

Learn more about the Gabbai Corps and how to join.

Kitchen Committee

Supervises the Beth Shalom kitchen; maintains standards of kashrut; establishes policies and pricing structure for kitchen use by members and nonmembers; prepares food for special occasions.

Learn more about Kitchen and Kashrut Observance.

Library Committee

Maintains the Judaic collection of the Beth Shalom Beit Hamidrash; acquires books and other media; encourages congregant usage.

Membership Committee

Recruits and helps to integrate new members into the life of the congregation; coordinates various hospitality events designed to increase a sense of community; creates a warm and welcoming environment for new and continuing members.

Mitzvah Corps

Coordinates care for members in need; organizes shiva minyans; provides bikur holim (visiting the sick).

Religious Practices Committee

Maintains halachic standards and synagogue minhag in consultation with the rabbi; organizes festival programs; cares for ritual objects and prayerbooks; determines purchases of new prayerbooks; oversees the volunteer rotations for Torah, Haftorah and leading services; considers policy issues related to religious practices; oversees the daily minyan committee and the new liturgical standards committee.

Religious School Committee

The Religious School Committee is a group of parents, educators, and other Beth Shalom members concerned with the successful operation of our Religious School, Prozdor and other aspects of Jewish education for children and youth in our community. The Board serves as a forum for discussion concerning new ideas and ongoing issues related to the Department of Education at Beth Shalom. Anyone who is interested in participating is welcome. If you would like to get involved in the Religious School Committee, please contact Tamara Griffin, Religious School Committee Chair at (206) 985-6838.

Social Action Committee/Tikkun Olam

This committee shall be responsible for identifying humanitarian needs, community services needs, and issues of social and economic justice in the larger community. In accord with the policies established by the Board of Directors and the committee, the Social Action Committee responds to such needs and issues through activities appropriate to Jewish ethical values, and creates opportunities for congregations to participate in such activities.

Youth Commission

Our youth commission is a group of parents and other adults committed to our youth, who meet regularly to discuss issues facing the youth groups and brainstorm ways to make them even stronger. The members attend approximately one meeting every other month and assist in youth group events occasionally, as needed. If you are interested in working on behalf of our youth, please contact Sam Perlin, Youth Commission Chair, at (206) 523-7847 or contact form.