Bulletin May 2016 Nisan-Iyyar 5776 Vol. 65, No. 8 Established 1858
Meet Josh Kashinsky, CBI’s Incoming Executive Director Josh Kashinsky is originally from California, where he grew up in the Silicon Valley. He is a graduate of UC Santa Barbara where he studied Philosophy and Dramatic Art. While at UCSB, Josh received the Ralph W. Church Undergraduate Award for Philosophy, the Hatlen Award for Dramatic Art, a University Service Award, and the William R. Reardon Award. Josh also has a Masters of Fine Arts in Theatre from Sarah Lawrence College, where he was a recipient of the Lipkin Award in Playwriting. Prior to joining the CBI family, Josh served as the Assistant Executive Director at the Siegel JCC in Wilmington, DE, during which time he helped complete a strategic plan, oversaw organizational restructuring, implemented new membership and programmatic initiatives, and supervised the Membership, Marketing, Fitness, Aquatics, Special Events, Adult, and Senior Center departments.
He has also worked for Santa Barbara Hillel, Princeton Hillel/Center for Jewish Life, and Hofstra Hillel. Josh was a recipient of Hillel’s Richard M. Joel Exemplar of Excellence Award. In the theatre world, he has worked for several regional theaters including McCarter Theater Center and Westport Country Playhouse in a variety of positions and has worked in New York City as a freelance director and producer. Josh is passionate about creating transformative Jewish experiences and building a vibrant and sustainable Jewish community. He is also very passionate about his wife Michelle and their two daughters, Rose and Fiona. Josh joined our community on May 1st. He can’t wait to meet the CBI membership and to explore the Portland area!
The Clergy, Officers, and Board of Trustees of Congregation Beth Israel cordially invite you to attend the 158th Annual Meeting
New High Holiday Prayer Books
Friday, May 6, 5:00 PM Goodman Hall, Schnitzer Family Center According to the bylaws of Congregation Beth Israel, the Nominating Committee, consisting of David Bean, Ilene Davidson, Ned Duhnkrack, Sarah Epstein, Robin McCoy, Joanne Menashe, Ted Nelson, Jill Rubinstein, and Libby Schwartz, have nominated the following: • For election to a new two-year term on the Board of Trustees 2016-2018: David Goldwyn • For re-election to a two-year term on the Board of Trustees 2016-2018: Stacy Friedman, Ali Garfinkle, Ted Nelson, Yale Popowich, Robert Rosenbaum, David Sarasohn, and Arthur Steinhorn The proposed trustees will join Ilene Davidson, Ned Duhnkrack, John Epstein, Steve Gradow, Glen Levy, Sharon Meieran, Joanne Van Ness Menashe, Mark Peterman, Brad Tonkin, and Tony Urdes, whose terms have not expired. We anticipate that the new officers will include Ted Nelson as President and Steve Gradow as Treasurer, and therefore we also will be thanking and honoring Ned Duhnkrack and John Epstein for their service this year. Please join us for this short annual meeting, to be followed by our celebration of Shabbat and an Oneg. It is important that all members of our Congregation exercise their privilege to vote at this meeting.
Your clergy team is thrilled to be introducing the newly revised High Holiday prayer books written and designed by scholars of our Reform Movement. We are among the first congregations throughout the country to adopt the new Machzor, “Mishkan HaNefesh” Sanctuary of the Soul. We will have several introductory programs on these beautiful new prayer books over the summer before the High Holidays. You are also invited to honor a loved one’s memory or achievement by purchasing a bookplate through our Sisterhood Giftshop. See p. 7 for more information about making a prayer book donation.