Committees
BUDGET AND FINANCE COMMITTEE makes detailed estimates of the income and operating expenses for the ensuing year, submit an annual budget for the ensuing year, and supervise the audit of the accounts of the congregation. The Committee also recommends a dues structure, monitors dues collection from members and recommends and monitors any special assessments.
BUILDING AND GROUNDS COMMITTEE keeps the building and grounds in good repair and establishes, with the approval of the Board of Trustees, rules and regulations for the use of the Congregation’s physical facilities.
CARING COMMITTEE strengthens the connection between and among members of the congregation by extending moral support and reaching out to members in need, in a friendly, compassionate manner.
CEMETERY COMMITTEE, subject to approval of the Board of Trustees, establishes and maintains by-laws for the design, maintenance and governance of the consecrated burial ground known as the Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Cemetery, located on West Spring Street, Vineyard Haven. Copies of the cemetery regulations may be obtained by any MVHC memebr in good standing from the office.
DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
is responsible for all specialized and general fundraising for the Congregation; and for the establishment of guidelines and procedures for solicitation and recognition of donors.
During each fiscal year, in addition to our membership dues, which cover approximately 50% of our annual expenses, the MVHC receives over 400 donations from members and non members for the High Holiday Appeal in the Summer and Fall and the Winter Annual Appeal. All proceeds from these campaigns go to the General Fund. The General Fund is important since this Fund helps us meet and cover our expenses for the year. It is used to pay for salaries; the maintenance and repair of our building, grounds, and cemetery; as well our religious, educational, cultural and social programming throughout the year.
Donations to our General Fund, or any of our specific funds listed below, are a meaningful way to congratulate and honor family and friends on Simchot, or memorialize loved ones and friends who have passed. You may designate that your gift go to the General Fund or to one of the other existing funds listed below. (If you do not specify a particular fund for your donation, it is automatically directed into our General Fund for our operations.) Funds other than the General Fund are:
ENDOWMENT COMMITTEE solicits and receives gifts of money, stocks, bonds, real estate or other convertible items, the monetary value of which shall be added to the Endowment Fund of the Congregation. The Endowment Fund is segregated and kept separate from the general funds of the Congregation. The Committee oversees the investment of these funds. The income from the Endowment Fund shall be used annually by the Congregation in a manner to be determined by the Board of Trustees, unless a gift has been given to the Congregation for which the donor has restricted the use of the income. These restrictions are acceptable only if the Board of Trustees has determined them to be appropriate for the benefit of the Congregation.
FINE ARTS COMMITTEE oversees the design and décor of the Hebrew Center’s interior and exterior space.
The committee coordinates all aspects of the Center’s interior design, including furnishings, artwork, and objects of adornment. Its mission is to beautify and enhance the space by conducting an on-going assessment of the Center’s design needs.
MINHAG RELIGIOUS PRACTICES COMMITTEE, in cooperation with the Rabbi, shall consider and establish observances for the Congregation and promote practices in the home that will enhance the values of Jewish living. In the absence of a Rabbi, they shall organize and conduct lay services to fulfill the religious needs of the community.
We are always looking for new members for our committee. This is a great committee to join if you would like to learn more about Jewish religious practices and if you want to help influence our congregation's religious observance. We usually meet on the first Tuesday of every month and we are responsible for planning all services and holiday events. We begin each meeting with a teaching from Jewish sources, either about an upcoming holiday or on a topic we are going to be discussing at that meeting. We have great discussions in our committee meetings, on such topics as special Shabbat programs, how much or little English to include in our prayers, what constitutes a minyan for a Torah service, the composition of a Yizkor booklet, how to make services all-ages inclusive, and more! We want very much to represent the diversity of our congregation in our decision making, so if you think you can contribute, please email the office to join the committee.THE committee.
MUSIC COMMITTEE oversees Shirat Hayam (the MVHC Choir) and provides funding for its current Director, Peter Boak. Also, the committee collaborates to provide a variety of music and musical activities for our Shabbat and Holiday services, and also for our Religious School. Additionally, the committee provides for music workshops, and various musical programming and special events throughout the year. The Music Committee has established a restricted Music Fund to be used for year round musical programming and concerts. Please specify the Music Fund if you wish to acknowledge your appreciation of a particular musical event or if you would like your gift to be used for enhancing the MVHC’s musical experience.
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE recruits and trains individuals from the Congregation who will be willing to serve as future Trustees and Officers of the Congregation. The Board and past President work on this committee. Whenever possible, committee members shall have personal leadership experience in the Congregation or some other not-for-profit organization.
NOMINATING COMMITTEE is appointed at least ninety (90) days before the Annual Meeting. Following consultation with the Board of Trustees and solicitation of recommendations from the membership, it shall nominate, at least forty-five (45) days prior to the Annual Meeting, candidates for all offices and Board of Trustee memberships to be filled during the ensuing year.
PERSONNEL COMMITTEE recommends personnel policies and compensation levels, prepares position descriptions and assists, as needed, with performance reviews. It also assures the confidentiality of relevant personnel information.
PROGRAM AND LIFELONG LEARNING COMMITTEE
This committee has planned and facilitated opportunities for Jewish study as well as programs of interest including speakers, films as well as lectures and book discussions
The Mission Statement is:
The Program and Lifelong Learning Committee shall plan, coordinate and implement a variety of quality programs, classes and study groups that further Jewish learning and practice, enrich our souls, challenge our minds, and strengthen ties among members of the congregation. This committee seeks to promote Jewish engagement in its membership and in the general Island population. It supports programming that contains some Jewish content, whether spiritual, religious, educational or cultural.
RELIGIOUS SCHOOL COMMITTEE, in cooperation with the Rabbi, organizes and administers the religious school. They prepare and submit a budget to the Board of trustees for anticipated operating costs for the ensuing year at least forty five (45) days before the Annual Meeting of the Congregation.
SOCIAL ACTION COMMITTEE is planning programs for the next year and invites new and existing members to attend the monthly committee meeting which meets 5:00 - 7:00 pm, every 3rd Thursday of the month.
Some of our projects for the year will include:
* providing help to Yemin Orde
* collaboration with our counterparts at other houses of worship on issues of common interest
* responding to situations on the Vineyard caused by recession
* needs and issues as the committee decides
SUMMER INSTITUTE COMMITTEE presents the Summer Speaker and Jewish Film Series www.mvsummerinstitute.net
TZEDAKAH COMMITTEE Tzedakah is at the heart of Jewish teachings about caring for the vulnerable and poor and repairing the world (Tikkun Olam) so that there are fewer vulnerable people.The Tzedakah Fund Committee at the Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center makes donations to island non-profits that:
*help with basic needs, such as food, housing, heating assistance and mental and physical health
*work on improving community conditions such as education and training, safety, the environment and the economy read more
BUILDING AND GROUNDS COMMITTEE keeps the building and grounds in good repair and establishes, with the approval of the Board of Trustees, rules and regulations for the use of the Congregation’s physical facilities.
CARING COMMITTEE strengthens the connection between and among members of the congregation by extending moral support and reaching out to members in need, in a friendly, compassionate manner.
CEMETERY COMMITTEE, subject to approval of the Board of Trustees, establishes and maintains by-laws for the design, maintenance and governance of the consecrated burial ground known as the Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Cemetery, located on West Spring Street, Vineyard Haven. Copies of the cemetery regulations may be obtained by any MVHC memebr in good standing from the office.
DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
is responsible for all specialized and general fundraising for the Congregation; and for the establishment of guidelines and procedures for solicitation and recognition of donors.
During each fiscal year, in addition to our membership dues, which cover approximately 50% of our annual expenses, the MVHC receives over 400 donations from members and non members for the High Holiday Appeal in the Summer and Fall and the Winter Annual Appeal. All proceeds from these campaigns go to the General Fund. The General Fund is important since this Fund helps us meet and cover our expenses for the year. It is used to pay for salaries; the maintenance and repair of our building, grounds, and cemetery; as well our religious, educational, cultural and social programming throughout the year.
Donations to our General Fund, or any of our specific funds listed below, are a meaningful way to congratulate and honor family and friends on Simchot, or memorialize loved ones and friends who have passed. You may designate that your gift go to the General Fund or to one of the other existing funds listed below. (If you do not specify a particular fund for your donation, it is automatically directed into our General Fund for our operations.) Funds other than the General Fund are:
- Building Fund
- Camp Fund
- Caring Fund
- Endowment Fund
- Global Tzedakah Fund
- Harriet B. Freedberg Learning Center Fund
- Jewish Learning and Culture Fund
- Kiddush / Oneg Fund
- Music Fund
- MVHC High School Higher Learning Award
- MVHC Religious School and Richard Goldberg, Stanton Gittleman, Marilyn Meyerhoff, Richard Herman Scholarship
- Funds
- Rabbi's Discretionary Fund
- Social Action Fund
- Tzedakah Fund
ENDOWMENT COMMITTEE solicits and receives gifts of money, stocks, bonds, real estate or other convertible items, the monetary value of which shall be added to the Endowment Fund of the Congregation. The Endowment Fund is segregated and kept separate from the general funds of the Congregation. The Committee oversees the investment of these funds. The income from the Endowment Fund shall be used annually by the Congregation in a manner to be determined by the Board of Trustees, unless a gift has been given to the Congregation for which the donor has restricted the use of the income. These restrictions are acceptable only if the Board of Trustees has determined them to be appropriate for the benefit of the Congregation.
FINE ARTS COMMITTEE oversees the design and décor of the Hebrew Center’s interior and exterior space.
The committee coordinates all aspects of the Center’s interior design, including furnishings, artwork, and objects of adornment. Its mission is to beautify and enhance the space by conducting an on-going assessment of the Center’s design needs.
MINHAG RELIGIOUS PRACTICES COMMITTEE, in cooperation with the Rabbi, shall consider and establish observances for the Congregation and promote practices in the home that will enhance the values of Jewish living. In the absence of a Rabbi, they shall organize and conduct lay services to fulfill the religious needs of the community.
We are always looking for new members for our committee. This is a great committee to join if you would like to learn more about Jewish religious practices and if you want to help influence our congregation's religious observance. We usually meet on the first Tuesday of every month and we are responsible for planning all services and holiday events. We begin each meeting with a teaching from Jewish sources, either about an upcoming holiday or on a topic we are going to be discussing at that meeting. We have great discussions in our committee meetings, on such topics as special Shabbat programs, how much or little English to include in our prayers, what constitutes a minyan for a Torah service, the composition of a Yizkor booklet, how to make services all-ages inclusive, and more! We want very much to represent the diversity of our congregation in our decision making, so if you think you can contribute, please email the office to join the committee.THE committee.
MUSIC COMMITTEE oversees Shirat Hayam (the MVHC Choir) and provides funding for its current Director, Peter Boak. Also, the committee collaborates to provide a variety of music and musical activities for our Shabbat and Holiday services, and also for our Religious School. Additionally, the committee provides for music workshops, and various musical programming and special events throughout the year. The Music Committee has established a restricted Music Fund to be used for year round musical programming and concerts. Please specify the Music Fund if you wish to acknowledge your appreciation of a particular musical event or if you would like your gift to be used for enhancing the MVHC’s musical experience.
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE recruits and trains individuals from the Congregation who will be willing to serve as future Trustees and Officers of the Congregation. The Board and past President work on this committee. Whenever possible, committee members shall have personal leadership experience in the Congregation or some other not-for-profit organization.
NOMINATING COMMITTEE is appointed at least ninety (90) days before the Annual Meeting. Following consultation with the Board of Trustees and solicitation of recommendations from the membership, it shall nominate, at least forty-five (45) days prior to the Annual Meeting, candidates for all offices and Board of Trustee memberships to be filled during the ensuing year.
PERSONNEL COMMITTEE recommends personnel policies and compensation levels, prepares position descriptions and assists, as needed, with performance reviews. It also assures the confidentiality of relevant personnel information.
PROGRAM AND LIFELONG LEARNING COMMITTEE
This committee has planned and facilitated opportunities for Jewish study as well as programs of interest including speakers, films as well as lectures and book discussions
The Mission Statement is:
The Program and Lifelong Learning Committee shall plan, coordinate and implement a variety of quality programs, classes and study groups that further Jewish learning and practice, enrich our souls, challenge our minds, and strengthen ties among members of the congregation. This committee seeks to promote Jewish engagement in its membership and in the general Island population. It supports programming that contains some Jewish content, whether spiritual, religious, educational or cultural.
RELIGIOUS SCHOOL COMMITTEE, in cooperation with the Rabbi, organizes and administers the religious school. They prepare and submit a budget to the Board of trustees for anticipated operating costs for the ensuing year at least forty five (45) days before the Annual Meeting of the Congregation.
SOCIAL ACTION COMMITTEE is planning programs for the next year and invites new and existing members to attend the monthly committee meeting which meets 5:00 - 7:00 pm, every 3rd Thursday of the month.
Some of our projects for the year will include:
* providing help to Yemin Orde
* collaboration with our counterparts at other houses of worship on issues of common interest
* responding to situations on the Vineyard caused by recession
* needs and issues as the committee decides
SUMMER INSTITUTE COMMITTEE presents the Summer Speaker and Jewish Film Series www.mvsummerinstitute.net
TZEDAKAH COMMITTEE Tzedakah is at the heart of Jewish teachings about caring for the vulnerable and poor and repairing the world (Tikkun Olam) so that there are fewer vulnerable people.The Tzedakah Fund Committee at the Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center makes donations to island non-profits that:
*help with basic needs, such as food, housing, heating assistance and mental and physical health
*work on improving community conditions such as education and training, safety, the environment and the economy read more
