Committees

At CBI, we are proud of our active and engaged membership. From programming to education, from finances to security, many aspects of congregational life are driven by congregants who bring their skills, enthusiasm and wisdom to our committees. Joining a committee is not only a great way to contribute to the Jewish community and make CBI the best place it can be, but it also helps members make meaningful connections with people who share their passions and interests. Learn more about our committees below:

  • The Adult Education Committee sets the goals and direction of our adult programming and helps to coordinate the calendar of adult learning activities. Committee members assist with programming and publicity. The Adult Education Committee organizes a film series and a lectures series. They plan these events at annual or semi-annual meetings, and are open to suggestions from congregants about both film and lecture possibilities.

    Committee Chair: Nancy Summers

  • The Building Committee is responsible for the review, analysis, and monitoring of building needs and projects at CBI. The goal is to assure that the historic but aging building is maintained and protected in a professional and financially viable way, with priorities based on urgency, cost, and need.

    Committee Chair: Diane Hillman

  • The mission of the Caring Committee is to build a caring community that provides help and assistance to CBI members who are experiencing life transitions or crises such as childbirth, illness, or death and need support. The Caring Committee serves as a connecting point to support CBI members in time of need. Opportunities to contribute include providing meals or gift cards for meals, transporting those meals to members, rides, visitation, and telephone check-ins. We know that caring for others builds connection and community, along with joy and a sense of purpose. The Caring Committee is open to all that wish to serve in this mitzvah.

    Caring Committee requests should be directed to the CBI Administrative Office.

  • The purpose of the CBI Council is to provide a broader context for discussion of current and anticipated issues. The Council provides input on topics brought to it by the Board of Directors, makes suggestions, and brings relevant issues to the Board for review and/or action. It is composed of leaders within the CBI community, including committee chairs, Trustees not currently serving on the Board, program directors , and past presidents.

  • The Hebrew Cemetery of Charlottesville is maintained as a service to the local Jewish community by Congregation Beth Israel. The Hebrew Cemetery at Riverview was recently added to provide higher inventory of and options for burial plots. Committee members provide asssistance when selecting plots, correspondence with families to ensure accordance with Jewish customs, check cemetery regularly, and oversee all aspects of property maintenance.

    Committee Chair: Kent Schlussel

  • Financial planning is necessary to the life of the congregation. The Finance Committee makes a detailed estimate of the income and operating expenses for the ensuing year, submits an annual budget for the ensuing year, monitors and reports income and operating expenses to the Board of Directors, and recommends policy for the Board’s approval on financial matters related to the fiduciary responsibility of the Board of Directors. The chair of the Finance Committee is the Treasurer of the Board of Directors.

    Treasurer: Louis Citron

  • The Forest School Committee provides guidance and support to the Director of Education, and assists in the functioning of CBI Forest School. Committee activities include parent programming, family programming, budget and tuition development, fundraising, and promotion of the education of young Jewish children. The committee assists in outreach to the parents and acts as a sounding board for Forest School decision making.

    Committee Chair: Mara Sprafkin

  • The Green Team develops strategies and processes to reduce energy use by becoming carbon neutral, to educate and change behaviors of our community about the need for conservation, to collaborate with other local, regional, and national groups, and to serve as a role model locally and regionally.

    Committee Chair: Diane Hillman

  • The New Member Committee makes connections with the new families and links them to resources that match their interests. This committee starts with welcoming emails that list all the main offerings at CBI (e.g., religious services, CBI Forest School, Religious School / Shorashim, JewC, Senior Connections, adult engagement activities), then works to engage new members in activities of interest so that they feel welcome as part of the CBI community.

    Committee Chairs: Karen Bloomfield, Alyse Craun, Miriam Fleitman

  • Composed of two Board members and three members of the congregation, the Nominating Committee recruits, vets, and recommends Board and Trustee candidates for the annual ballot. The committee also makes nominations of Officers and Directors, as provided in Article XI of the CBI Bylaws.

    Committee Chair: Charlotte Crystal

  • The Shorashim Committee supports the growth and development of religious education for children and their families at CBI. The Shorashim Committee collaborates with the Director of Religious School on creating a connected community, shares feedback on classes, events, processes, and anything else that may come up during the year. This committee helps coordinate events for families, and volunteers at various events, and is the liaison to the classes.

    Committee Chair: Rachel Tricker

  • The Ritual Practice Committee deals with public ritual at the synagogue. The committee takes responsibility for organizing holiday services and special programs. Members work with the rabbis to enhance the experience of worship at CBI.

    Committee Chair: Sandy Schustek

  • The Security Committee ensures that all members and visitors who enter CBI, the Forest School, or any location where CBI holds events or services are safe and secure. This includes training congregants and staff about safety awareness, physical security, and working with local law enforcement.

    Committee Chair: Kent Schlussel

  • The Social Action Committee works on projects to exemplify Jewish values and the mitzvot of our faith by our actions. The committee works with synagogue members to provide service to others, on both local and regional levels. The committee encourages involvement by providing service opportunities for specific projects such as Mitzvah Day, as well as for ongoing activities.

    Committee Chair: Vacant

  • The Tzedakah Fund supports community charities and programs in need. This committee promotes Tzedakah Fund giving, administers the annual funding request process, and determines which programs will receive funding and amount of each donation.

    Committee Chair: Sandy Schustek

All CBI members are warmly invited to join committees that engage in work meaningful to them - please contact the CBI office if you would like to join a committee or are interested in learning more.