The Liaison Committee took on the role of addressing both these issues. The committee consists of Michael Feldstein, president; Joyce Lazarus and me, vice presidents; and the chairs of the committees that directly interact with Rabbi Audrey. These are Naomi Myrvaagnes for Ritual, Joyce Hollman for Adult Education, Ruth Seidman for Programming, and Madelyn Morris and Judith Hurwitz for Membership.

The first thing we did was to assume the role of the centralized coordinator of the requests Rabbi Audrey was getting for her involvement. The next was to come up with a mutually agreeable plan for her activities for the remainder of the year. Some of the programs that were initiated year were a 5-session course on Jewish prayer and another 5 session course on leading Shabbat services; a program on Jewish Perspectives on Death and Mourning; and a session on poetry and the introduction of new melodies for services at the retreat. These were in addition to her role in morning services, Kabbalat Shabbat services, and Torah Study as well as holiday celebrations. We then went on to plan her activities for the period prior to her maternity leave and then for the period following her return from maternity leave. A sampling of the programs that we have agreed upon for this year are a continuation of Torah studies, a joint program with Rev. Stendhal and the Lutheran congregation on the meaning of water in both traditions, joint programs with Hillel B’nai Torah and Dorshei Tzedek and a very successful joint Kabbalat Shabbat service with the Sunday School for Jewish Studies.

The areas of Rabbi Audrey’s role at Shir Hadash, as stated in her contract are: 30% each Ritual, Education and Sustainability and 10% Other such as pastoral care. For 2007 – 08 we agreed that her primary focus should be on Ritual and Education.

For 2008-09, the Liaison Committee turned its focus to sustainability. We recognized that Shir Hadash had become quite insular and this affected not only our ability to grow but also the quality of our members’ experience. The questions we are now facing is what do we mean by sustainability and what would we be willing to do to support the Rabbi in these efforts. These questions go well beyond defining her role as rabbi. They are questions that define how we view Shir Hadash and what we want to be as we move forward. It is the intention of the Liaison Committee to initiate this discussion.

Rosalind Bronsen
rosalind10@comcast.net