In This Issue:
1. NOVEMBER MOTAS MEETING – SUN 11/12 – MOVING FOWARD
During our upcoming November MoTAS Meeting on Sunday, November 12, we will continue to discuss how MoTAS can be a visible partner in moving the congregation forward and growing our membership. We invite you to come to the meeting: this is a pivotal time, and everyone plays a significant part.
We will start, as always, by breaking bread together and enjoying our traditional MoTAS breakfast. Following that, we will have a brief update and discussion about what is happening with the congregation. Our goal is to hear all points of view, in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. The following, paraphrased from a message Sisterhood sent to its members, is appropos for this discussion:
MoTAS is more than just its leadership: it is all the men of the congregation working together. Similarly, our Temple is men, women and children who share a common thread: Judaism. MoTAS will always be there: Supporting the temple and its Board as it moves forward to a bright future.
The coming days will challenge all of us. There will be passionate opinions on all sides. Please don’t just walk away. If, just like us, you care about Judaism, want our Temple family to continue, and want our congregation and MoTAS to thrive, show it by keeping an open mind, by listening as well as talking, and by being respectful (even to someone who doesn’t deserve your respect.) Families *can* disagree and still stay together. Consider stepping up and being part of how we move forward, working together to make MoTAS and our Temple vibrant and successful.
Next we’ll be reviewing the budget prepared by the Executive Board. This budget shapes our activities during the upcoming year, and dictates how we can use our funds for the benefit of the congregation. The review will be at a high level, not line-by-line. When we are done, we will vote up or down on the full budget.
The discussion on the budget will also include a discussion on some upcoming activities, such as serving food at the Sisterhood Chanukah boutique, any MoTAS December activities such as a Chanukah Party, and the Yellow Candle program.
At that point, we’ll return to the list of projects presented at the last meeting. These are all improvement projects where MoTAS can make a visible difference in the congregation. As a refresher:
- ECEC request for a power washer for the playground, sidewalks and large toys $300
- Install canvas for displaying student art work $250
- Professionally repair south side of sanctuary building ceiling plus fascia on north side. Paint and materials $300
- Strengthen hand rail attachments and paint the hand rails $100
- Clean inside of windows and paint walls on interior of school buildings $300
- Paint metal cap over top of wall on 2nd story of school buildings $300
- Power-wash stains on school buildings and activity center exterior walls
- Additional decorative rock at west side of temple $600
- Potentially updating two outdoor electric wall sockets behind the social hall
We will asking for volunteers to lead or implement these projects. Based on those results, we will move forward with hiring folks. My hope is we can hire Temple members to do the work.
Time permitting, we’ll explore the demographic information on the congregation that Howard has developed.
IN CLOSING
As always, remember that the Men of Temple Ahavat Shalom is *your* organization. Keep up to date on our activities at http://www.tasnorthridge-motas.org/ and participate. Sign up for our action alert list at http://tinyurl.com/motas-action-alert. We want to serve all the men of Temple Ahavat Shalom and welcome new participants from the TAS membership. Join our Facebook group and “follow” our website. Come be part of the Men of Temple Ahavat Shalom!
Men of Temple Ahavat Shalom 