Congregation Or Chadash has many committees and new faces are always welcome. Where would you like to put your talents and energy?

Our committees (as well as our auxilliary groups) are organized into four "houses". Each house has a designated board member that acts as the point of contact between the committee and the board, as well as facilitating communication among the various committees in the house.

House of Prayer 
Board Contact: Karen Conner

CHOIR
Choir director: Ron Isaacson

Do you like to sing? The choir would love to have you. Our choir sings at High Holiday services and selected other services throughout the year. Practices are held Monday evenings.

ONEG SHABBAT COMMITTEE
Chair: Karen Conner

The Oneg Shabbat committee organizes the calendar for our families to sponsor onegs on Friday nights and other holidays. We take into account the night that certain classes will be participating in services, the ages of the children in a particular family and the dates of upcoming b'nai mitzvah.

The members of the Oneg Shabbat committee help the sponsoring families to set up the food and candles so the sanctuary is ready when services begin. Most committee members choose one Friday per month that they are able to be at services.

RITUAL COMMITTEE
Chair: Karl Gussow

The Ritual committee provides input and support to the rabbi and musicians as they prepare services throughout the year. Much of the committee’s work takes place in the months leading up to High Holidays

House of Study
Board contact: Julie Swain

ADULT EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Chair: Bill Ruvinsky

The adult education committee plans events that we hope will interest and educate our adult members. Recent events include Movie Nights and Midrash class. Upcoming events include a tour of Jewish Baltimore, book discussions and more movie nights. Please let the chair know if you have an idea for a topic or a speaker.

RELIGIOUS SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Chair: Howard Benowitz

The RSC works with the School Administrator and Education Director to keep our school running smoothly. This committee works on curriculum updates, teacher training and makes policy recommendations to the board among other things. It meets on the first Wednesday of each month.

Our Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) and our three Youth Groups are also in this house.

House of Assembly
Board Contact: Rob Eisenberg

BUILDING MAINTENANCE COMMITTEE
Chair: Andrew Hyman

Keep our building and grounds in great shape. This committee deals with upkeep of the building and grounds.

FINANCE COMMITTEE
Chair: Alex Lebedinsky

Help the President, Treasurer and the Board assess our finances and discuss the best way to secure our financial future.

FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE
Chair: Brian Wigutow

Do you have ideas for fund-raising? Do you like planning events? Then this committee is for you. We plan various fund-raising events and other activities throughout the year.

LIBRARY COMMITTEE
Chair: Michael Abrahams

The Or Chadash library welcomes you to come in, look at the collection, and borrow something that might interest you. Thanks to all who have donated books and other media--please keep the donations coming. A library donation is an inexpensive but lasting way to memorialize a person or special event. Just include a donation form--they can be found on the table in the library--into your gift of a book, cd, dvd, etc. so that we can properly thank you, and include a donation sticker in your donation. Our catalogue can be found online at http://www.librarything.com/catalog/OrChadashLibrary

PERSONNEL COMMITTEE
Chair: Saul Schwartz

The personnel committee is responsible for developing, defining and articulating the temple's policies regarding its employees. For example, we draft contracts of employment for our paid professional staff and deal with personnel issues of a wide variety.

SECURITY COMMITTEE
Chair: Ira Stern

Current assessment of our security needs is underway.

TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE
Chair: Bruce Thorner

Keep our computers and phones running smoothly.

House of People
Board Contact: Claire SanNicolas

HINEINI COMMITTEE
Chairs: Melissa Hyman

Going through tough time? Hineini is here for you. This group can provide meals or other services in your time of need, whether you've had a death in the family, an illness, a birth or anything else where you need a little extra help.

INTERFAITH COMMITTEE
Chair: Jane Harris, Sarah Rothschild

We have many interfaith families here at Or Chadash. This commitee holds discussions about interfaith marriage, December dilemma and other topics.

MARKETING COMMITTEE
Chair: Melissa Benowitz

In conjunction with the membership committee, this group advertises upcoming events and arranges for other publicity.

MEMBER RETENTION COMMITTEE
Chair: Dave Bender

Every congregant is a de-facto member of our membership committee. Reach out to our current members to keep them involved and reach out to the community to attract new members to Or Chadash. Our future depends upon membership growth.

NEWSLETTER
Editor: Laura Jackel

It's a big job to get our bi-monthly newsletter out the door! Contact our newsletter editor to offer your assistance.

SOCIAL ACTION COMMITTEE
Chair: Pamm and Andy Shankman

This committee acts as an umbrella group for our social action activities throughout the year.

Our Brotherhood and Sisterhood are also in this house.

Updated 06/10/10