Celebrating the Joy of Judaism, Embracing all Jews.
Bulletin THE BETH TFILOH
TEVET-SHEVAT 5777 JANUARY 2017
Strategic Plan approved to insure BT’s vibrant future Thank you for responding to our call to help chart BT’s future! We are pleased to announce that the Board of Directors at its December 1, 2016 meeting unanimously approved the Beth Tfiloh Congregation Strategic Plan 2017—2021. This initiative was undertaken in preparation for the Congregation’s 100th anniversary in 2021, and includes our new Mission, Vision, and Values statement, priority areas of focus, and action plans.
30th Annual Florence & Joseph
WEINER BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT November 30-December 3, 2016 • weinerfever.com
The Strategic Plan’s main objective is: To sustain the Beth Tfiloh Congregation’s ability to serve and maintain its relevance to its membership and the broader Jewish community over the next generation through the transition of key Rabbinic and professional leaders. These are the six priority areas for which goals and success measures have been established: • Multi-Generational Membership • Leveraging “One BT” • Being a Hub of Jewish Life in Baltimore • Balancing Modern and Orthodox • Preparing for Leadership Transitions • Financial Sustainability To read about these in more detail, please view the approved Beth Tfiloh Congregation Strategic Plan 2017—2021 online at bit.ly/BTStrategicPlan or to receive a printed copy contact the Communications Office at 410-413-2312. We thank all who participated in the member survey, committee work, and/ or the leadership retreat. Your input was used to develop this important roadmap. We are especially grateful to Cass Gottlieb and Michael Friedman, our fearless Strategic Planning Committee Co-Chairs, who so ably led this inclusive and participatory process over the past 18 months.
THE 30th ANNUAL WEINER BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT was one of the highlights of the BT school year. Boys and girls teams came from Jewish high schools in Israel, Canada, New York (2), and Texas to compete with our Beth Tfiloh boys and girls varsity basketball teams.
STANLEY Z. PENN MEMORIAL LECTURE presents:
Increasing Our Awareness of Jewish Diversity Featuring Yavilah McCoy
Jewish diversity educator and advocate for Jews of Color
Wednesday, January 4 • 7:30 pm Beth Tfiloh Rosen Arts Center/Mintzes Theatre 3300 Old Court Road, Pikesville Use East Entrance - follow signs to High School
Free and open to the public
“.;sr, esm esm”
“Justice, justice, shall you pursue.” –Devarim 16:20 As the Jewish community grows more racially and ethnically diverse, how can Jewish texts and traditions shape our commitment to racial justice? How is the Jewish community pursuing racial justice and inclusivity, honoring both our Jewish tradition and Dr. Martin Luther King’s mandate? For more information, contact 410-413-2321 or mercaz@btfiloh.org.
Yavilah McCoy, an African American Orthodox Jew from Brooklyn who attended Chassidish elementary schools and a yeshiva high school, is a teacher, writer and diversity consultant who has been a forceful proponent for Jewish diversity and advocacy for Jews of Color in the United States.
Continued on page 5 I N S I D E > Calendar 2 | B’Nei Mitzvah 3 | Sisterhood 4 | School 6 | Camp 8 | Development 10 | Contributions 13 | Good and Welfare 14