Solel Board Achievements and Welcomes

by John Lewsen, May 31, 2023

Earlier this week we held our annual board strategy refresh, and I feel very gratified with what we have achieved, and what we are focussed on.

The board strategy refresh has become a key component of the joint meeting of our outgoing and incoming boards. As such it provides a chance to welcome our new members, thank our outgoing members, identify, and celebrate our achievements over the last year, and review our Strategic Priorities. It allows us a pause to celebrate what Solel’s outgoing board has achieved, and it provides our new members with a great introduction to what we have achieved and are planning. Here are a few of the many highlights.

With COVID-19 no longer dominating our agenda, we have shifted the focus of our Return Committee to Safety and Security. The Prayer, Ritual and Holidays Committee continues its work on our High Holiday liturgy while delivering in-person and virtual services with an added focus on incorporating video clips from those who are not able to attend in person. We have a team focusing on enhancing processes around membership and engagement. Recent enhancements in financial reporting and transparency provide key steps toward securing Solel’s future financial health; with the support of our Charity Gaming activities, we have been able to improve our community experience with major upgrades to our Sound System. Our Bet Sefer Solel School has adapted to open-plan teaching in our Solel facilities, combined with online tutorials and field trips. Our House Committee addressed a significant number of improvements to our facilities including a new stove and venting system and has costed an ongoing list of repairs and replacements that are on our to-do radar. And then we have a range of celebratory events and activities planned for our Solel at 50 celebrations and related Living Torah fundraising initiative that will culminate with the dedication of our new Torah next year.

We were also pleased to welcome three new board members each who bring an impressive depth of relevant expertise and experience to our board: Ruth Ostrower, Miriam Schoeman and Dennis Perlin. At this time of year, we also thank and say goodbye to departing board members. Huge thanks go to Faith Ellen for the valuable work she did over the past year and her commitment to joining our cemetery committee. Thank you also to Amy Greene for your voice and we look forward to your continued focus and support of our event planning activities. And then to our outgoing secretary Rita Grossman: as our past secretary and you have been a stellar contributor to our board, executive, and house committee, and I know how much we will all miss your thoughtful and dedicated contributions to the well-being of our board.

I am looking forward to the instalment service of our new board this Friday, June 2 and hope our readers will be able to join us in person on online.

John

Filed under: President's Message

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