GROUPS & COMMITTEES We invite you to take part in our many groups and committees.

Adult Learning (also see our Adult Education Page)
Lifelong learning is a deeply held Jewish value. In the prayer V'ahavta, we are commanded to teach our children, but Maimonides tells us that to be able to teach our children, we have to learn first. So it is no surprise that the Adult Learning Committee is a critical component of the Shir Tikvah community. The committee works closely with Rim and the School Director to create new and exciting Adult Learning programs that focus on ritual observance, Hebrew language (both prayer book and modern), interfaith understanding, Jewish history and culture, and Israel. We also work to integrate some Adult Learning programs with our Religious School.

Please share your ideas! To meet the needs of the community, we often use surveys and requests from Temple members to help develop new programs. Indeed, some classes have come about simply because a few congregational members spontaneously explored a topic of mutual interest. We want your help to shape the learning experiences at Shir Tikvah. Let us know your thoughts by contacting the Adult Learning Committee.


Caring
There are times in our lives when we need and welcome helping hands. Times of illness and mourning can be particularly difficult. Once, extended families were close by to offer support. Today, many of us are geographically distant from relatives, and have limited support. In addition, our busy lives and commitments do not always foster close relationships with neighbors and a sense of community.

Temple Shir Tikvah’s caring community reaches out to Temple members in times of need. We offer care and support to congregants who are ill, homebound, have experienced a loss, or are returning home with a new baby. Performing gimilut chasadim (acts of loving kindness) is part of our Jewish tradition.

Committee coordinators and support network of volunteers serve congregants by making telephone calls, writing notes, preparing meals, giving rides, and more. If you would like to be part of the caring network volunteer list, please contact the Caring Committee. For contact information on caring coordinators for the current month, please see Temple Announcements (login via Members' Page).


Finance

Get involved with us!
Membership Committee
Get involved with us! The Membership Committee is the portal to Shir Tikvah, but we do more than talk with prospective members and host Open Houses. We welcome our newest members and help them make meaningful connections and become active participants. We try to learn what people are seeking in a Jewish community, so we can help them find it. That helps us keep Shir Tikvah relevant to the changing needs of our members. We welcome you to join us in making new members feel at home. Help create special events such as the Prospective Member Open House and New Member Shabbat Dinner and Service, and other activities. You might find your own meaningful connections on the Membership Committee. For more information contact the Membership Committee.

Newsletter
The Shir Tikvah Newsletter publicizes Temple activities to the membership and other interested readers. This helps our programs attract the attention they deserve and draws people into our community’s exciting events. It includes articles by members and staff on a range of Temple and community-related topics. We love to display photos of recent Temple events. The Shir Tikvah Newsletter is produced monthly, 10 issues per year. The Temple Office sends out printed copies to our mailing list, and Temple members can also access the newsletter via the Members' Page of this website.

Add your own two cents! You can help by serving as a back-up editor. We also would love to include your articles or photos. Please contact us at: Newsletter@shir-tikvah.org

Nominating
Our members are committed to taking responsibility for working in partnership with our professional staff to help make Shir Tikvah a responsive, dynamic Jewish community. Lay leadership is an opportunity to shape the future of the congregation, and a way to make meaningful connections with others as you learn new skills and grow as a Jewish adult. The Nominating Committee identifies future leadership and helps with the evolution of our leadership structure and processes. (Check our Leadership Directory to see how Shir Tikvah’s governance is organized.) If you’re interested in leadership development, have questions, or  want to discuss your interest in future leadership roles, contact: Nominating Committee.

Ritual
Ever wonder how High Holiday services just seem to happen so smoothly each year? Look no further than our Ritual Committee. The Shabbat evening Services, Dine 'n Daven, and Spirit Links services are examples of the committee’s efforts to develop meaningful, relevant Jewish ritual. For a description of all our religious services please visit our Worship Page. We’ve developed the family Kehillah High Holiday morning services for families with older children who want a different Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur experience; we're always working on new Shabbat and holiday observances for adults, too.

You can play a role in this central aspect of our Jewish community experience. The committee has room for people with any level of knowledge. Join the Ritual Committee as we work with Rim and professional Temple staff to enhance the spiritual and ritual life of Shir Tikvah. To explore the possibilities please contact the Ritual Committee.

School Committee (also see the Education page)
The more you participate, the more meaningful the Religious School experience is for you and your family. Do you want to get more involved in your child’s Jewish education experience — as a room parent, a chaperone, or through a special classroom project? Your ideas have a home: the School Committee. Join us in the journey to keep our children engaged through a stimulating school and curriculum. The School Committee welcomes your input and involvement as we try to instill a lifelong love of Jewish learning in our children. The School Committee also organizes the Jewish Book and Gift Fair in November (just in time for Hanukkah).

The School Committee meets the first Sunday of every month at committee member homes. Contact the School Committee for the location.

Strategic Planning
During the 2007–08 year, the Temple began working on fine-tuning and implementing a new Strategic Plan. To learn about our process and progress, members can check under "At Home @ Shir Tikvah" on the Members' Page. For more information, contact: Trustees@shir-tikvah.org.

Tikkun Olam (Social Action) (also see the Tikkun Olam page)

“Tzedek, tzedek, shall you pursue” — Deuteronomy 16:20

Is Tikkun Olam — repair of the world — a core value for you? If so, you have a lot in common with the members of Temple Shir Tikvah. The mission of the Tikkun Olam Committee is to find ways for Shir Tikvah and its members to address issues of social justice and contribute to the needs of many communities both Jewish and non-Jewish, local and far-off. Issues we are working on include feeding the hungry, housing and homelessness, elder services, environment, health, and helping our Christian neighbors. For more details, check out the Tikkun Olam page.

Take action with us!  The Tikkun Olam Committee invites you to get involved with one of these projects, or start a new one if you have a particular passion. There are opportunities ranging from one-time volunteering to ongoing participation. If you are interested in getting involved with the committee, please contact the Tikkun Olam Committee.

Family Social Committee
On Hanukkah and Purim, Shir Tikvah families with children gather together to celebrate and make community memories to last a lifetime. The Social Committee plans wonderful holiday parties. These two parties, held at the Temple, are geared to families with children ages 4–10 with an effort to offer something for everyone. Attendance has been between 75 and 100 people, with about 40–50 children. We usually devote an hour to crafts and games followed by a second hour that includes singing with Cantor Beth Levin and a lively presentation related to the holiday.

Hanukkah Party, December 2008