• Marian Wolfsun, Chair

• David Rabinovitz, Chair
  

  The Adult Education Committee arranges and coordinates educational offerings for the adult community. Using talents of JCA members, as well as members of the greater community, it finds instructors to teach courses which range from one or two sessions to seven or eight. The Committee attempts to provide a mixture of classes that deal with Jewish themes, from text study to folk dancing. Its tasks are to determine the interests and needs of the community, to find instructors, to devise a schedule for each semester, and twice a year to prepare and distribute a brochure.
  

• Jaymie Chernoff, Chair

• Eva Metzger Brown, Chair (256-8066; embrown13@comcast.net)
• Committee Members: Haim Gunner (haim_gunner@yahoo.com); Josette Henschel (549-5059; jhenschel@verizon.net); Kitty Talan (253-2248; kittytalan@comcast.net); Rob Okun (253-7918; raokun@mrcforchange.org)

  The Beit Shalom Committee was created to provide a place to resolve rare and particularly difficult conflicts that impact the life of the JCA Community and its members. It is available to hear complaints of any individual or group with a grievance that cannot be resolved through the normal (formal and informal) channels. Any individual or groups of individuals with such a concern can contact any Committee Member. Names will be kept confidential, unless released by the complainant. Further information regarding the grievance process and the issue of confidentiality is available from Eva Metzger Brown.

• Ken Talan, Chair

  The group meets at the JCA four times a year for an evening's discussion. Members read books by Jewish authors, usually fiction, but occasionally non-fiction, alternating male and female writers. They have read American, Yiddish and Israeli writers, and have read books by JCA members, with the authors sometimes leading the discussion. Occasionally, local faculty members have led discussions of an author about whom they have expertise. An announcment of the book to be discussed is put in the newsletter for the preceeding month or two. The book, usually a paperback, is available at the library or through the Jeffrey Amherst Bookstore. New members are always welcome.

• Tom Butler, Chair
• Committee Members: Eli Kwarlter, Gary Rehorka.
  Ex Officio: Santos Alers, Rob Kaufman

  The Building Committee is responsible for maintaining JCA facilities. It reviews their condition and decides the tasks that can be done by the committee and/or membership and those that must be purchased. The Building Committee handles landlord-tenant relations, including leases, etc.

• Eli Kwartler, Chair

Committee List

• Hollie Kalkstein, Co-Chair
• Susan Weinstein, Co-Chair

  Camp Shemesh is the JCA’s summer day camp now in its 22nd season. Located on the Amherst College campus, Camp Shemesh has a tradition of providing children, ages 6-11, with a joyful, creative, spiritually rich and educationally sound Jewish day camp experience. The camp incorporates traditional camp activities (swimming daily at the Amherst College pool, arts and crafts, drama, music and sports) into its Jewish-themed programming.
  
  Three, two-week sessions are offered, accommodating approximately 35 campers per session. The camp operates weekdays from 8:30-4:00pm, and on Fridays from 8:30-3:30pm. A Kabbalat Shabbat celebration is held on Fridays which family members are encouraged to attend. Tuition and registration information is posted on this website in early February of each year. For more information about the camp, including employment opportunities, please leave a message on the camp extension: 413/256-0160 ext. 250 or email: shemesh@j-c-a.org.
  
  Camp Shemesh must comply with the regulations of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and be licensed by the board of health.

• Linda Sinapi, Co-Chair
• Devorah Jacobson, Co-chair
• Committee Members: Sam Gladstone, Karen Hoffman

  The Cemetery Committee is responsible for the upkeep of the JCA Cemetery. The committee makes sure the grounds are well kept, sells plots to members and non-members, maintains cemetery records, and serves as the liaison between the bereaved family, the funeral director and the excavator. The committee also maintains cemetery rules.

• Chair rotates among committee members
• Committee Members: Robin Diamond, Dani Faytel, Kitty Talan, Jacki Katz, Joan Epstein, Susan Zarchin, Amy Rothenberg, Eva Metzger Brown, Cheryl Edgerly, Reed Alper

  The Chesed Committee consists of volunteers from the JCA community who strive to offer support to others during various times of need. The actual meaning of Chesed is "lovingkindness". It is what is extended to community members faced with challenging circumstances. We attempt to respond to members' needs (illness, hospitalization, isolation) or any other reason. We welcome new members to the JCA community by delivering challah and Shabbat candles shortly after the time they have joined the community. When a family is sitting shiva, we attempt to assist members by offering to help form a minyan, assist with food preparation, and/or providing condolence and support. We depend on JCA members to inform a Chesed Committee member when the need arises to offer support to an individual or family. Longtime and new members are welcome to join.

• Chair is currently vacant

  Bikur Cholim is the mitzvah of caring for the ill. It is an act of gemilut chasadim and is one element of the work of the Chesed Committee. The Bikur Cholim's aim is to tap into our community's rich spiritual resources to offer support to members coping with illness and other crises. Spiritual support can take the form of visits to the home or hospital or forming healing circles to bring the community together to pray for members and their families in time of need. We also work to raise awareness of illness and the potential for healing in the JCA community. Above all, our mission is to combat the despair and isolation often experienced in times of crisis.

• Joan Saperstan, Chair

  The Chevra Kadisha, when requested, performs the mitzvot of ritually washing, dressing, and preparing the body for burial according to Jewish custom. The members of the Society are Jewish members of the JCA who make a significant long term commitment to the Society, appreciate the awesome nature of ther holy tasks, engage in educating themselves about the Jewish approach to death, and provide information to the larger community on the topic.

• Chair is currently vacant

• Kitty Axelson-Berry, Co-chair
• Mark Israel, Co-chair
• Committee Members: Aaron Bousel, Eli Kwartler

• Andra Rose, Chair
• Committee Members: Felician Mednick, Jody Levine

  The Community Education Committee oversees the intergenerational educational programming at the JCA, It includes the Family Educator and the Education Director, as well as parents and other interested community members. The programs range from specific grade-level events (that also include the children's families) to community-wide educational events. The committee generates ideas for programs, assists during programs, and evaluates them to help with future planning.

• Stacy Tobin, Co-chair
• Ted Trobaugh, Co-chair
• Committee Members: Karin Kayer, Karen Helfer, Jim Levine, Lisa Perlbinder

  The Education Committee, working with the Rabbi and the Education Director, formulates and enacts policy regarding the Religious School. We look at long term issues, such as curriculum development and training opportunities for teachers, as well as day to day issues that affect the children in the school. We also run the Parent Association and keep the Board informed of the issues in the school. Recently we have been working to create a Teen Programming Committee to do the crucial work of keeping post-B'nai Mitzvah teens engaged.

• Stacy Tobin, Co-chair
• Andra Rose, Co-chair
• Committee Members: David Rabinovitz, John Loeb, Lisa Perlbinder, Ted Trobaugh
  (Non-voting members: Rabbi David Dunn Bauer, Jody Rosenbloom)

• Alan Peterfreund, Chair
• Committee Members: Norman Brown, Michael Bulman, Bob Feldman, Marilyn Blaustein, Eli Kwartler, Stephen Marglin

  The Finance Committee works with the JCA Treasurer to develop financial guidelines, procedures, and policies, including drafting the budget and setting dues levels subject to Baord and community approval in accordance with the JCA by-laws. The committee is also responsible for dues and tuition collections and for approving expenditures within the parameters of the by-laws and the community budget.

• Robyn Miller, Co-chair
• Randi Stein, Co-chair

• Jaymie Chernoff, Chair
• Committee Members: Eli Kwartler, John Loeb, Laurie Nissenoff, Ted Trobaugh, Steve Woolf

  The Fundraising Committee plans events and projects intended to generate sufficient funds to minimize dues increases. New members welcome.

• Paul Charette, Co-chair
• Marian Wolfsun, Co-chair

  The task of the High Holidays Committee is to organize the five days of services at two different locations for between 600 and 700 adults and children. The co-ordinator of the committee and the five subcommittee chairs in charge of tickets, childcare, ushers, moving, honors, and the oneg/break-fast, recruit about 180 volunteers to help make the High Holidays a successful community event.

• Aaron Bousel, Coordinator

• Hadar Grabel, Chair

• Oran Kaufman, Co-chair
• Robyn Miller, Co-chair
• Committee Members: Lisa Blain, Jordene Hale, Lisa Kent, Eli Kwarlter

  The committee seeks to create a welcoming atmosphere for new members. To that end, it sponsors gatherings at which new and current members can meet informally. It produces informational material about the JCA for prospective and new members, answers queries from prospective and new members, co-sponsors with other committees events for the new and existing members, and offers advice to better serve the needs of those new to the community.

• Anita Page, Co-chair
• Eva Sartori, Co-chair
• Committee Members: Natalie Jarmon, Ann Hastings, Laura Simon

  The committee brings a combination of concerts, lectures, art exhibits, and poetry readings to the JCA. Anyone with expertise, contacts, or interest is welcome to participate.

• Judy Glaser, Co-chair
• Beverly Woolf, Co-chair
• Committee Members: Barbara Burkart, Eli Kwarlter

• Judi Fonsh, Co-Chair
• Committee Members: Steve Freedman, Bob Kumin, Ann Nusbaum

  The Personnel Committee is charged with the recruitment and hiring, subject to JCA Board approval, of non-professional paid staff.

• Marilyn Kushick, Chair
• Committee Members: Sarina Ergas, Hadar Grabel, Yaffa Gunner, Eva Sartori, Jody Wax

• Committee Members: Reed Alper, Jim Seltzer, Rhonda Shapiro-Rieser, James young

• Ruth Kane-Levit, Coordinator
• Committee Members: Aaron Bousel, Judy Glaser, Haim Gunner, Eli Kwartler

  The Rabbi Liaison Committee’s charge is “to provide an effective process that will expand and enhance both the functional and personal relationships between the Rabbi and the JCA community.” If there is an issue that you would like the committee to consider with Rabbi Bauer, please contact a Rabbi Liaison Committee member.

• Paul Charette, Co-chair
• Rhonda Shapiro-Reiser, Co-chair

  The Religion Committee supports the Rabbi in meeting the needs of the religious life of the community. It meets with the Rabbbi monthly and plans most religious services and other observances, except for the High Holidays. It publishes the monthly calendar of religious services in the newsletter and makes decisions regarding religious policy in the community. It solicits input from the greater community on contoversial issues. One of the committee co-chairs sits on the JCA Board. Activities include scheduling cantors and other lay leaders for Shabbat services, organizing holiday activities such as the annual Sukkah building, maintaining ritual items, and discussing policy issues such as the Kashrut policy for the kitchen, Members of the community often take on tasks that give them the opportunity to learn more about Jewish ritual and practice, and to interpret this practice in ways that are meaningful for a pluralistic community.

• Barbara Burkart, Coordinator

• Randi Stein, Chair
• Committee Members: Hannah Blau, Jaymie Chernoff, Michael Chernoff, Larry Fine, Sarah Schley

  The Scholar-In-Residence Committee annually brings a guest scholar to the JCA for a weekend retreat and Shabbaton that is open to JCA members and to the larger community. Past guests have included Rabbi Arthur Green, author of Seek My Face Speak My Name, ancient religions scholar Tikva Frymer-Kensky, Sylvia Boorstein and Rabbi Alan Lew in a program on Jewish meditation, and Rabbi Rami Shapiro, author of Minyan. In 2000, drawing on local scholars, the committee initiated a Sunday evening series entitled, "Evening Tea and Text Study". Topics covered in the series included a comparison of King Lear and Job, a study of the minor prophet Habakkuk, and a consideration of a new Jewish approach to sexual ethics, drawing on the Song of Songs and Leviticus.

• Ruth Love Barer, Contact Person

  Shomerim are watchers or guardians of the soul. Jewish tradition requires that the deceased not be left alone prior to burial. "Shomers" and "Shomeretts" therefore sit at the funeral home in close proximity to the deceased, reading psalms and assisting them in making the transition from life to death. This activity is considered holy.

• Amy Mittelman, Chair
• Committee members: Jeff Cohen, Helena Donovan, Karen Loeb

  The Social/Fun Committee plans, organizes and runs events and activities that are fun for both members and non members alike. Such events build community and provide a positive image of the synagogue for potential members. Our activities in past years have included Hanukkah parties with live music, Family Fun Day, a Family Dance and the 36th Anniversary Raffle. We also help plan events that will be both enjoyable and energetic as well as raise funds in conjunction with the fund raising committee and other committees of the JCA.

• Michael Burkart, Chair
• Committee Members: Arnie Alper, Kitty Axelson-Berry, Sarina Ergas, Jenny Heller, Irv Howards, David Rabinovitz, Flo Stern, Rabbi David Dunn Bauer

• Epi Bodhi, Chair
• Committee Members: Saul Gladstone, Frederique Marglin, Johanna Plaut, David Schimmel, Flo Stern

  The Tikkun Olam/Social Justice Committee is the social justice arm of the JCA. We are directly concerned with tikkun olam (repairing the world), and we operate fron the assumption that"the world" is not separate from the microcosmic world of the JCA. We examine racism, class assumptions, violence, poverty, drug addiction, and the consequences of these and many other of the world's "critical issues". We avoid the "us-them" paradigm which would separate the Jewish community from "others" whom we wish to "help". Instead, we recognize the need to look inward as well as outward for both the causes and the solutions to the world's social ills.

• Karen Loeb, Chair
• Committee Members: Libby Arny, Sarina Ergas, Rebecca Fisher, Yaffa Gunner, Eva Sartori, Tamar Shadur, Jody Wax

  The World Jewish Concerns and Action Committee seeks to provide a link between the JCA and the broader world Jewish community, in particular with Israel. It attempts to bring current issues of political, social, and cultural significance to Jews to the attention of our members. It sponsors the anuual Rabin Memorial Lecture dealing with ongoing issues in Israel and the annual Holocaust Remembrance. It is also responsible for conducting the Israel Scholarship Fund, an annual program which encourages and supports visits by teenagers to Israel. The Committee also raises money for Project Rehovot which supports a part-time therapist working in Rehovot Elementary School with immigrant children, primarily from Ethiopia. The United Jewish Appeal and the New Israel Fund are also projects of the committee. The Committee also responds to current issues as they emerge.

• Committee Members: Karen Loeb, Haim Gunner, Yaffa Gunner, Joe Kushick, Scott Neilsen, Jonathan Souweine

Committee List
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