2021 Annual Report

2021 ANNUAL REPORT

WWW.IHCINDY.ORG

INDIANAPOLIS HEBREW CONGREGATION

LIVING OUT OUR MISSION

Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation (IHC) is an inclusive Jewish community where all congregants matter, are inspired to action through Jewish values, and experience Judaism in a meaningful way.

FOCUSED ON OUR VISION

IHC is a community living Jewish Values through Worship, Engagement, Enrichment and Education.

WORSHIP

In 2021, IHC engaged in meaningful, inspiring and uplifting worship from inside our sanctuary to the computer and phone screens of our congregants. In addition to the spiritual leadership from our IHC clergy, this year, we enhanced our weekly Shabbat through Torah reading, new musical accompaniment and guest speakers. On a given Friday evening, we had an average of 336 people taking part in Shabbat on the IHC website or through Facebook Live.

With a hybrid of virtual and outdoor in person experiences for 5782 High Holy Days, we focused on being “hineini”/present for the important people and moments in our lives.

Hundreds of IHC congregants attended Rosh Hashanah Retreat and we created an outdoor Yom Kippur experience at GUCI. More than 900 people connected with us virtually throughout the High Holy Days, watching services from the safety of their homes.

In the year ahead, our dedicated, creative clergy team is planning more worship opportunities at GUCI, Shabbat services including speaker series, holidays celebrations, musical guests and so much more. ~Rabbi Jordana Chernow-Reader

ENGAGEMENT Mitzvah Stitchers continued to meet regularly on Zoom and, last June, organized an in-person meeting at the home of one of our members. That event took place in her garage (with doors open) and we were able to collect items that were ready to donate as well as distribute yarn for future projects. ~Cantor Emerita Janice Roger, Mitzvah Stitchers

I've attended many more Shabbat services than I ever did before in person, thanks to Zoom and the livestream, and greatly benefitted by attending. I'm involved with the Brit Olam Committee and we regularly meet by Zoom to discuss social justice advocacy. E-communication from IHC allowed me to stay abreast of Temple events and kept me connected. ~Steve Bulloff, Social Justice Task Force

I'm lucky to enjoy Zoom. I was happy to take advantage of in-person services and seeing friends in person. ~Andy Arenson, Brit Olam

The launch of IHC Circles provided a great way to connect intentionally and build deeper relationships at IHC because of Judaism. IHC Circles focus on the lives and significant concerns of people in our community, connecting people around shared interests, life stage, geography, and profession. And though the pandemic challenged consistent in-person meeting, IHC Circles met safely outside as weather permitted. There are a number of new IHC Circles set to launch in 2022 and we welcome everyone’s ideas for new Circles! ~Patti Freeman Dorson, Engagement Committee

OUR DIGITAL REACH 1,714

Facebook Followers

+263

Gain from 1/1/2021

44,809

Page Reach for 2021

1,820

Email subscribers

43% Open Rate

4% higher than industry standard

G TED N C I P E E N E N K O C

2021 once again highlighted that our community extends beyond our temple's walls. Providing opportunities to fit all comfort levels remained a priority for IHC throughout the year, and will continue to be a priority in the years to come. IHC is committed to making sure every member can have a choice in how they want to interact or engage with this community.

I think COVID-19 has made the Caring Community volunteers more empathetic to congregants who are separated from family, alone, may need special assistance. They want to help with a phone call, meal, errand, or technology support.

By helping others we have become close. ~Andrea Burnett, Caring Community

The Cemetery Committee dealt with challenges totally unrelated to COVID-19, the destruction of the historic gate at the southside cemetery, the increased need to protect the sanctity of the northside cemetery from the continued growth of the surrounding community, the need for security at our cemeteries, etc. We continue to meet and communicate with each other, with the temple staff and with ARN who skillfully manages our maintenance and oversees the operation of our cemeteries. ~C a r o l y n H i s e r , C e m e t e r y C o m m i t t e e

People want to feel like they are making a difference. Even if our achievements are modest, coming together to share our passion helps keep us (Brit Olam) going. ~Andy Arenson, Brit Olam

Sisterhood’s official mission is “To join together in Sisterhood and, guided by the principles of Reform Judaism, strengthen our congregation, our community and ourselves."

Throughout 2021, Sisterhood clearly continued to achieve our own mission while supporting the four pillars of our IHC community (Community, Tikkun Olam, Ritual Life and Learning.

It is our honor and tradition to do so as the Sisterhood community.

Social Action: Through partnership with Jewish Family Services and the generosity of our members, we were able to serve our own congregants and the Indianapolis Jewish community in need by creating and delivering 25 Passover baskets and 10 Thanksgiving and Hanukkah baskets. By adopting 4 families in the community Hanukkah Adopt-aFamily program, an astonishing number of gifts were purchased, wrapped, and delivered. Sisterhood served the Indianapolis community at large by providing Greenbriar School students with backpacks with school supplies; winter coats; 200 food bags for each of spring, fall and winter breaks; and 46 Thanksgiving baskets. We gathered to welcome Greenbriar students and get them to their classrooms on the first day of school. During COVID-19, our programs for the Julian Center became cash donations in lieu of our annual Day of Pampering, and we provided St Vincent’s House with snacks and beverages for their pantry in lieu of a meal. We partnered with Grassroots Projects, collecting 372 pairs of children’s underwear and 415 pairs of socks.

Religious Living: We rejoiced in and celebrated our religious life with the first annual Tu B’Shevat Seder, Sisterhood Shabbat, Shabbat in the Park, an Oneg for our consecration students and their families. We also gathered for the Women’s Seder, Sisters in the Sukkah, and an incredible return to Oneg Shabbats to celebrating our new roof, the Temple’s 164th birthday and IHC Sisterhood’s 104th birthday. Whether in person or virtual, we came together as the IHC Sisterhood community celebrating our rituals.

Jewish Learning: Sisterhood’s ongoing support of IHC’s dedication to Jewish Learning and Youth programs continued with financial contributions and providing treats. We continued to partner with our clergy on adult education programs proudly co-presenting Torah Talk, offering Lilith Salon and Rosh Chodesh.

Financial Support: Through membership contributions, annual raffle, Mahj-a-thon, Hamantaschen, proceeds from our Gift Shop and other fundraising efforts, Sisterhood provided support for camp scholarships; contributions to clergy discretionary funds; gifts for consecrants, b’nai mitzvahs, and confirmands. Sisterhood's efforts allowed us to contribute more than $45,000 to the Temple. In 2021, our Membership elected to make an additional grant of $18,000 to help underwrite IHC’s livestreaming services.

Building Connections: Involvement in Sisterhood provides a path to connect with other women, whether through our social events, programs or projects, volunteering in the Gift Shop for our Social Action Projects, or helping with our events also fosters friendships. Being involved with Sisterhood is just one path to feeling connected to IHC.

Brotherhood remained steadfast in its support of educational and scholarship opportunity within the IHC community in 2021. Campers were welcomed back at GUCI (Goldman Union Camp Institute. In 2020, we gave our usual Rabbi-based contribution 100% directly to the camp, for their expenses in the face of having no campers. In 2021, with campers back at camp, the contribution went for the Rabbi's use, as usual.

Even with a 'mostly' virtual High Holy Days, the men of Brotherhood and the congregation were able to publish a virtual version of the Wohlfeld Memorial Book of Remembrance for Yom Kippur. Each year, this booklet is produced so loved ones’ names can be listed and remembered during our Yizkor Memorial service and throughout the coming year. Funds from the Wohlfeld Fund, Brotherhood's major annual fundraiser, went toward camp scholarships, Rabbi Krichiver's discretionary fund, and the Marcia Goldstein Scholarship.

While the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has limited Brotherhood's usual fundraisers and events, the men of IHC are optimistic those can return later in 2022 as the world transitions to a state of normalcy. Brotherhood is also eager to be a part of and help support upcoming events like the celebration of Rabbi Krichiver in November.

ENRICHMENT Read the reflections of our IHC President Eloise Paul, Executive Director Peter Smithhisler, and Senior Rabbi Brett Krichiver on the year 2021, and the manners in which our temple was enriched, even with the continuous stressors and challenges of a COVID-19 pandemic world.

Describe the year of 2021 at Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation in three words.

Why those three words?

Challenging, Resilience, Gratitude and Inspiring.

Why Challenging?(as if you don’t already know..). January 2021 seems like a lifetime ago.

My goal was to keep our congregation moving forward and on solid financial footing while we were still apart and living in unprecedented and ever-changing upheaval. We hired a new and extremely responsive and capable Executive Director. That was life-changing for me after operating without an Executive Director for five months. We also hired a new and dynamic ECC Director. We faced ongoing issues with our building and ended up with a new roof, upgraded HVAC system, and so many other “behind the scenes” upgrades, to keep our building the sacred space it continues to be. With the help of our new Back to the Building Task Force we continued to transition from virtual to in person and back, based on the ever-changing conditions in our community. Why Resilience?

Definitions of resilience include: the ability to withstand adversity and bounce back from difficult life events; the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties, toughness; Being resilient does not mean we don’t experience stress (trust me there) but the ability to tap into their own strengths and more importantly the support systems available—which is all of you—to overcome challenges and work through problems. These include applying for and receiving a second PPP loan, having a special finance group meet weekly to review our cash flow and financial position, and, with the financial support of our members, we were able to stabilize our finances. And always looking forward, Strategic Planning and Annual Commitment task forces met resulting in the board approving a new strategic plan and an updated Annual Commitment policy. Gratitude and Inspiring (I know, it’s 4 words, but really...) and these words describe all of you- the IHC Community. Sometimes I am simply overcome with gratitude for all of you, for our clergy, for our staff, and for the IHC Board. I know that when most of the board members agreed to serve, they, like me, had no idea of the challenges and the many hours we would need to spend addressing issues none of us had ever faced. So many of you stepped up and volunteered in a myriad of ways to help IHC remain strong. You all inspire me with your humanity. Thank you.

Resilient; Innovative; Caring. Members of our congregation and community need IHC for different reasons. IHC has been amazing at pivoting to accommodate the needs of our members and trying innovative and creative ways of providing outreach, services, pastoral care, and community building.

Our small community Circles have provided connection to our congregants in ways no one could even fully imagine. IHC being able to quickly pull together an outdoor service for Yom Kippur was a perfect example of attending to the congregation. And I know that our membership appreciated the opportunities to gather together like we did at our outdoor service in Carmel, during the fall tailgates, Sisterhood and Brotherhood events, and for special life cycle occasions.

For me, the past year has to be summed up by the three words: lost and found and incomplete! As I look back on those months of uncertainty, in just about every sphere of our lives we experienced loss. Some felt keenly the loss of our physical proximity. We felt like after a full year of pandemic we should begin to return to ‘normal.’ Some focused more on the loss of communal events. We lamented the many ways our children missed out on important moments – the first year of high school, or the last. Graduations and trips, time with extended family. How should we measure the profound effect these years will have on the development of our children? How should we account for the effect they have had on us? At the same time, it was a year during which we found many, many gifts. Our community rallied around the central tenets of our mission: creating community (even over the internet), working on social justice (with masks, in the rain) our congregants still came out in force time and again; studying and learning through online classes; ensuring that visitors, guests, and those interested in learning about Judaism felt welcomed – more people enrolled in our Introduction to Judaism course last year than we have ever seen. Here is what we found out about ourselves: we are stronger and more resilient than we know. We are ready to lend a helping hand whether checking temperatures or vaccination cards at the door, or funding increased security measures (even before the horrific attack in Texas). We learned so much about ourselves – lessons we will benefit from for many, many years. Ultimately, however, this past year felt incomplete. It wasn’t the same experiencing High Holy Days, or Shabbat, or Torah study, or education classes without you there.

Technology can help, but only so much. We left this past year behind with a great appreciation for our health, for our families and friends, and for this place which will always hold us together.

How has the pandemic impacted your personal connection to IHC?

I don’t think I’ve ever felt more connected. I live and breathe IHC every day, our challenges and our opportunities. I realize part of that is the role I’ve been honored to have, but in these turbulent times, having this IHC community has given me strength and hope. My heightened engagement has resulted in a stronger spiritual connection.

My journey with IHC began during the height of the pandemic. Transitioning into a new job is always challenging. Doing so in a pandemic increases that challenge exponentially. I have loved getting to know our members and learn about our culture and traditions. I enjoy working with both the board, clergy partners, lay leaders, and especially our new members. I am fully committed to the mission and vision of IHC. I am invested in IHC’s long-term success. In truth, these written words are among the reasons I was attracted to this position. The words align perfectly with my own values and personal goals. Receiving the invitation to join this team allows me the opportunity to advance IHC’s goals, while living mine fully. I feel a deep connection to my clergy partner, Rabbi Brett. As we explore our working partnership, we are also forging a personal connection.

I believe my strengths compliment his.

A great deal of energy was spent in the past year on investing in new technologies. Many of you became accustomed to services on Zoom and then livestream. You likely did not realize the countless hours of research, training, and experimentation that went into that technology. I remember one early service during which the video we cued up (and rehearsed seven times) did not play appropriately. I did not yet know that on Zoom the camera stays on unless you turn it off (a simple lesson we were all to learn quickly enough) and the entire congregation was treated to visions of my throwing hands in the air, and sinking into my chair with exasperation.

Feeling connected to IHC fundamentally shifted for all of us during the past year. This coming year will provide us many opportunities to reflect on how to best use the lessons learned.

What is a pandemic struggle that IHC continues to deal with, and how do you envision a resolution being reached?

The challenge I am most concerned about is insuring IHC remains a relevant and essential congregation in all of our lives. Over the many years since our congregation was founded, we have been pulled in many directions Activities and social media compete for our free time. Organizations compete for our dollars. Perhaps we take it for granted that IHC will always be here. But ask yourself, if IHC was unable to survive, where would we find our spiritual home to celebrate weddings, b’nai mitzvahs, funerals, and other lifecycle events? Where would we find the support and community we need to celebrate, mourn, comfort, and support each other? Sometimes we don’t realize the importance IHC holds for us until we face a trauma or loss. I want us to realize that IHC is that place all the time and must continue to be that place to all of us.

We must find a way to become more innovative in seeking financial opportunities and new sources of income and programs. While many of you stepped up to keep IHC healthy during these challenging times, we must continue to find ways to engage you, our members, so you feel inspired to give not only in times of crisis, but because IHC is an important part of our DNA. And it’s a chicken and egg situation. How can we continue to do more or do new things with the current finances we have with the goal of engaging you more, growing membership and thus raising our annual income. It remains our mission to make membership possible for all of those regardless of their financial situation. That requires ongoing work.

And secondly, our ECC is returning to health, but with the ongoing labor shortage, finding qualified teachers to allow us to continue to grow is a challenge many, including IHC, are facing. We have a large waiting list, but without additional teachers we can’t add more students.

Even when there isn’t a crisis.

For me, it all boils down to one unifying question: How do we create community for our congregation? In what ways can IHC “be there” for our members? Being able to provide meaningful experiences for our congregation and ensuring that our protocols are safe, effective, and reasonable.

With each new experience comes a learning opportunity for us all. We need to keep stretching our imagination and creativity in how we deliver our services, activities, and educational programs, while ensuring that we have multiple access points for them as well.

The truth is that every congregation in the country will be forced to evaluate the new engagement tools of Zoom and livestream. How do we return to ‘in person’ experiences, but preserve the many benefits of technology. How do we continue to provide high quality sound and video for those who live too far away, or cannot travel to IHC on Friday night, and wish to participate? Can we learn new classroom management skills to help our teachers learn how to incorporate online learning into our ECC, religious school, and adult education? We have heard from many of you about what works, and what doesn’t. The challenges that lie ahead are substantial, but our incredible professional and lay leadership have everything we need to succeed!

What is something that IHC accomplished in 2021 that you are most proud of?

First and foremost is how we worked together to remain a strong sacred community during a turbulent time. And the foresight of our board, clergy, and staff to develop and approve a strategic plan to make us even stronger. We applied for and received a Homeland Security Grant that will allow us to improve the safety features in our building. Additionally, we have dramatically improved our building and our infrastructure.

There are so many points of pride for me: having a new roof installed was in important long term investment for the temple. Upgrading our HVAC system helps improve environmental safety.

Fixing many of the internal infrastructure issues that have been needing to be addressed for a long time. Providing a professional, high quality livestream of services every Friday. Having the temple reopen and staff return to work. Hiring new staff! The list could go on!

One challenging moment came just days before last years Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, when it became clear to our task force, the board, and our staff that in person services were not going to be safe for our community. In a matter of hours we changed course, and spent the next few days (and nights) preparing to move almost every experience online. I am so very proud of the dedicated hours put in by our staff and board. It was quite a marathon, but our services were that much more meaningful as we entered 5782.

Looking at 2022 and beyond, what initiatives or projects are you most excited about?

Moving beyond the pandemic, engaging even more members in meaningful ways so a larger percent of our congregants are active in some aspect of synagogue life and finding more ways to support our congregants in times of need.

For me, in 2022 I want to focus on engagement opportunities and relationship building.

I look forward to celebrating with the congregation in the temple and connecting people’s passion areas to congregational activities.

Our team has spent the last several years dreaming about what Shabbat looks like at IHC. How can we bring in more spirit, more music, more of you into this beautiful weekly tradition? In the coming months you will see the results of our efforts. And we hope you will make Shabbat at IHC a part of your life – even if only to stop by for a moment to connect with friends, share a cookie, and a Shabbat Shalom before you head out to other commitments. Services will feature more musicians, more guests, and more beautiful singing than ever before. Cantor Aviva is pulling out all the stops, so to speak. I’m excited to see what we can create together.

Is Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation living out its mission of being, “…an inclusive Jewish community where all congregants matter, are inspired to action through Jewish values, and experience Judaism in a meaningful way.”? If so, how is it living out that mission every day?

We are here for all our congregants. I am very proud of some of our committees’ work.

We heard that you wanted to feel more intimately connected. We started an Engagement Committee, which has begun to spin off smaller groups called IHC Circles. And they’ve only just begun—please get involved and help us create more circles and opportunities for all of you. Our Caring Community has also done an outstanding job reaching out and caring for our congregants. Our clergy, staff, and board devote countless hours to listening, working, and serving this congregation. Our board has spent countless hours (and I DO mean countless….) meeting and discussing and brainstorming ways to make IHC just the place we describe in our mission statement—it remains top of mind. Together, we are all IHC.

Yes. Every day in unique and interesting ways. Each of us connects to the temple in diverse ways and through different people. As the old song says: “I’ll be there for you.” That’s IHC. We are here for our members when they need us. Our members can express and experience their Jewish faith in a variety of ways on any given day. Where we are in the timeline of our life also creates connection. So whether you are feeling comfortable bringing your child to IHC at the ECC or religious school programs, attending services, shopping the Sisterhood Gift Shop, coming to Torah study, volunteering in committees, playing Mahjong, or needing to hear from a friend... IHC is there for you. In those moments of celebration at baby namings, b’nai mitzvah, marriages, and other life cycle events, IHC is there for you. IHC is the constant presence. IHC is the foundational environment for learning and growth. IHC is home.

I’ve always felt that our mission statement is beautifully crafted to be aspirational. We should never feel like we’ve reached the finish line. Every day there are new opportunities to become more inclusive, to connect with more congregants, and to connect more of you with one another. I’ve often shared an old story that says living Judaism is like walking through a field littered with precious gems.

Some are enormous, some are tiny. Some are very dull, others shiny and bright. There are way too many stones for us to carry them all. So sometimes we carry a few larger stones, and sometimes we drop those to make space for other, smaller stones. They are all beautiful, and they all inspire us to live better lives. I am reminded of that beauty every single day. We are absolutely living our values as a community. And there are many bright moments of meaning that lie just around the next corner.

FUNDING OUR VISION Total Revenue $2,903,973

Commitments 24.3%

Fundraising & General Donations* 31% *includes $836,044 in donations from COVID-19, High Holy Days, and the Journey Continues fundraisers

Total Tuition: JLP & ECC 17.9%

Grant income & Other 5.4%

Foundation Income** 21.3% **includes $295,023 reimbursement for parking lot project

IHC was eligible for COVID-19 relief funds in the form of PPP loans ($449,800) and ERTC credits ($35,221). These were one-time, extraordinary receipts that are not included in total revenue.

Total Expenses $2,984,779 Each year, IHC shares a “sustaining commitment” amount with our members. If we were to receive this much or more from every IHC household, we would ensure IHC meets all its planned financial obligations. The amount for 2022 is $3,042 per household.

Programming 4.7% Building repairs & Maint.

15.4%

Utilities 5.1% Technology 4% Total payroll & related expenses 60.6% Operational + other expenses 10.2%

STRATEGIC DASHBOARD

The IHC Board of Directors established a task force responsible for reviewing the Congregation’s 2006 Strategic Plan and providing recommendations to the Board of Directors for an updated plan. The plan, last updated in 2012, includes a focus on four Strategic Objectives to be achieved over a three-year period. IHC recently entered year two. Read about each objective below and the progress IHC has made on fulfilling each objective in years one and two. View the full Strategic Plan here.

Strategic Objective #1

Promote a culture of involvement through enhancing engagement of IHC community members beyond periodic attendance at worship services or annual giving.

Y1: 5 / 6 c omplete

Y2: 7 / 7 c omplete

Y3: 1 / 3 c omplete

Strategic Objective #2

Enrich the lives of IHC community members through worship, initiatives, programs, and experiences through being a welcoming community, promoting Jewish learning and culture, and strengthening relationships between its members.

Strategic Objective #3 Create Jewish learning aspiring to the highest levels of quality in vision, innovation, and change.

Y1: 2 / 2 c omplete

Y2: 1 / 2 c omplete

Y3: 1 / 2 c omplete

Y1: 6 / 6 c omplete

Y2: 1 / 2 c omplete

Y3: 4 / 8 c omplete

Strategic Objective #4

Establish as an organizational guard-rail that decisionmaking, at all levels, is guided by foundational statements – mission, vision, and values statements – which articulate the purpose and aspirations of IHC, ground its initiatives and drive its work; its process reflective of the sacred purpose of our community and based in Jewish values.

Y1: 4 / 5 c omplete

Y3: 1 / 1 c omplete

EDUCATION

If 2020 taught us the meaning of the word “PIVOT,” 2021 certainly reinforced it. From our youngest learners to our oldest, we found new ways of reaching out and adapting. We were with you on Zoom and in person, in our building, in your home, and on the road. We showed off our pets, Zoom backdrops, and hilarious costumes. Regardless of how we came together, the most important result is that we connected.

We were together as a community of learners exploring Hebrew, Jewish values, our sacred texts, and some humorous traditions. Pirkei Avot 1:6 offers this lesson, “Get yourself a teacher, find someone with whom to study (acquire a friend), and judge everyone favorably. ” Through our partnership in 2021, we were able to learn from one another, to deepen our relationships with our community, and, ultimately, to fill this world with more understanding and acceptance. We, at IHC, are grateful for our clergy, our teachers, our staff, and our learners of every age. Our Jewish learning truly enhanced our Jewish living. ~Rabbi Roxanne Shapiro, RJE

On October 20, 2021, our IHC ECC community came together in solidarity as we celebrated the importance of connection, community, and unity. Walking together, we symbolized kinship that we share not only as an ECC family but as a greater community. Our 106 children are a vital part of our community as they carry on the torch of the past, carry the light of the present, and burn bright for our future. We had more than one hundred people participate in our Inaugural Unity Walk which concluded with the children coming together and singing to commemorate that every voice together creates a beautiful melody. Our focus on connection and community this year did not stop in October, It continued all year round in our classrooms and with our incredible Hanukkah Spectacular performance, and our first ever dance performance led by Indy Dance Academy.

Teachers have built their classrooms into families within our community through the creation of engaging activities, lessons, and instruction that bring everyone together.

Although the pandemic has made this more challenging for everyone, our ECC will continue to celebrate, connect, and unite together. ~Jodi Kaseff, ECC Director

“Tell me,” I ask them as they look at me, wide-eyed.

“Where does your family come from originally?”

They look at their parents and answer my question to the best of their knowledge, often referring to a great-grandparent who came from the other side of the world. It is in these precious few minutes, just before a b’nai mitzvah service begins, that I remind our students what this journey is all about. I tell them about their ancestors, years ago, often endured living conditions we could never imagine. Long before cell phones, WiFi, and sometimes even airplanes, a young family came to this country on a ship, unsure of what their new home would look like. I paint a picture of a child just like them who perhaps did not enjoy the Jewish freedom that we often take for granted. We touch on antisemitism and remind ourselves of the struggle inherent in our shared Jewish history.

“Do you know why they made the trip here?” I ask.

“Why would they put themselves at risk and come to a completely foreign land?”

I watch as the wheels turn in their beautiful minds, almost as though a switch has flipped and all of the work leading up to this day finally makes sense.

“For this.” I say. “For today. They endured everything they did so that you could stand here today, in a free country, proudly, as a Jew. They struggled and survived for no other reason than to ensure that their Jewish legacy would live on. And even though they knew they would not live to see this day, your presence on the bima as you chant Torah for your holy community makes all of it worthwhile.”

We take a communal deep breath as parents wipe tears from their eyes.

“Judaism is about resilience,” I tell them.

You are part of that resilience, and we are so deeply proud of you.”

In the year 2021, we officiated 27 b’nai mitzvah services, each one as unique as the child we honored. Since April of 2020, we have officiated 42 altogether, finding meaningful ways to connect with families through the use of our multi-access platforms. While some celebrated over Zoom or livestream, most were in our sanctuary with all of our safety protocols in place. Each one of these services is a testament to the resilience of our children and their families. ~Cantor Aviva Marer

OUR LEADERSHIP

CLERGY

STAFF

Rabbi Brett Krichiver: Senior Rabbi Cantor Aviva Marer: Cantor Rabbi Jordana Chernow-Reader: Associate Rabbi Rabbi Roxanne Shapiro: Director of Lifelong Learning Cantor Janice Roger: Cantor Emerita

Accounting Manager: Kathy Madvig Early Childhood Center Director: Jodi Kaseff Communications Specialist: Emily Kaufmann Librarian: Evelyn Pockrass Youth Engagement Coordinator: Matt Hastings Learning Experience Coordinator: Stefanie Shapiro Bookkeeper: Adrienne Aronson-White Office Manager & Clergy Assistant: Amber Harter Receptionist/Administrative Assistant: Kendra Steele Administrative Assistant to the Office of Lifelong Learning: Beth Meade-Hession Maintenance: Gary Davis, Will Turner, Joyce Patterson Security: Willard Mosley, Rayce Young, Stephon Seymour Executive Director: Peter Smithhisler

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Officers President: Eloise Paul Vice President Elect: Mitch Katz Vice President: Amy Isaacs Treasurer: Ben Abraham Secretary: Betsy Backe Immediate Past President: Marc Katz Arms Sisterhood President: Risé Friedman Brotherhood Representative: Ken Gould

Members Jeffrey A. Abrams Lorraine Ball Jon Barefoot Cara Berg Raunick Andrea Burnett Alexi Dolgin Sarah Freeman

Jennifer Kelley Steve Kofkoff Pauline “Polly” Spiegel Carly Turow Carol Weiss Sheila Yuckman

FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS Officers 2022 President: Linda Cantor 2021 President: Sally Cook Secretary: Evan Nisonson Treasurer: Jeffrey Abrams

Members Mitch Katz Tilden Mendelson George Sanders Justin Wiser Diane Lutz Steve Kofkoff Carly Turow

OUR GRATITUDE

We would like to recognize those whose generosity went beyond our sustaining membership commitment from January 2020 to June 2021.

L’dor Vidor "Generations" $18,000 and above Teresa Beam & Eric Adolph Jacqueline & David Barrett Estate of Connie & Stanley Braun Sally Cook Judie & Thomas Doehrman Janis & Jerome Gershman Janie & Thomas Herman Louisa & David Hollander Susan Jacobs & David Kleiman Sonja Kantor & Henry Efroymson Caroline & Gregory Kroot Wendalon & Philip Larman Jerry Litwack Diane Lutz Joani & Gregg Ossip Dorit Paul Eloise Paul & Bill Lee Jill Rose Marya & Anthony Rose Lisa & Larry Sablosky Phyllis & Gary Schahet Alice & Robert Schloss Colleen & Scott Shapiro Virginia Spencer & Arthur Cutler Susanne & Daniel Spitzberg Tzedak "Righteousness" $9,000 - $17,999 Lynn & Jeffrey Abrams Kathleen & John Ackerman Gayle & Jerald Ancel Barbara & Charles Asher Betsy & James Backe Jeff Berebitsky Kathryn & Daniel Cantor Linda & Robert Chinsky Karen Cohen Beth Fineberg Bonnie & David Foster Judy & Michael Harrington Lori & David Hirsch Amy & Dwayne Isaacs Dana & Marc Katz Karen & Mitchell Katz Natalie & Martin Kroot Stephanie Kroot Karen Lamott Schiffer & Adam Schiffer Leslie & Joseph Leffel Flo Mary & Thomas Mantel Joan & Nathan Miller Susan & Marvin Mitchell Rebecca & Mark Ristow Marcella & Alex Slabosky Beth Weinberg Chazon "Vision" $7,200 - $8,999 Linda & Jonathan Abels Louise & Stuart Abramson Sharon & David Baldwin Cara & Michael Berg Raunick Barbara & Michael Blickman Carol Bogar Andrea Del Guidice & Michael Tamaddoni Laurie & Edward Freeman Lisa & John Goldenberg Arlene & Thomas Grande Rachel & Benjamin Greenfield Diane & Patrick Healey Tascha Horowitz & Joseph Marchal Roger Hurwitz Nicole Kirch & Steven Kofkoff Esther & Martin Kramer Barbara & Richard Leventhal

Kimberly & Douglas Patterson Sonya & Jordan Seeder Denise & Robert Silbert Brenda & Andrew Soshnick Marla & Mark Tasch Sara & Jeffrey Weinberger Carol Weiss Masha & David Wiener Mazon "Bounty" $5,400 - $7,199 Karen Alfrey & Andrew Arenson Roseanne Ammirati & Kevin Krulewitch Eliana & Joshua Armstrong Kylea Asher-Smith & David Smith Chris Bauer & Elliot Lewis Kimberly & Douglas Berebitsky Sydney & Shawn Blumenthal Lisa Brown & Mark Steingold Jennie & Jeffrey Cohen Rochelle & Michael Cohen Stephanie & Jeffrey Cohen Tina & Bradley Cohen Patricia & Roland Dorson Irene & Andrew Engel Lois & Sidney Eskenazi Tamela & Robert Falender Lynn & Stephen Farber Barbara Few Joan FitzGibbon Susan Fuldauer & Terry Evans Jessica & Bradley Gershman Lisa & John Goldenberg Patricia & Gary Goodman Patricia & Richard Hellman Elizabeth & Gregory Humrichouser Andrew Kleiman Susan & William Kleinman Amy Kressel & Bruce Pfeffer Jane & Barry Kroot Joan Larman Nathali & Jethro Lloyd Catherine & Jeffrey Loeser Cathy & Tilden Mendelson Elizabeth & John Moorin Sandra Moreira & Robert Malinzak Vanessah Ng & Jeffrey Levy Jennifer & Eric Orman Andrea & Jon Pactor Sue & Jon Pryweller Jamie & Jason Rich Robert Rifkin Karen & Charles Rossen Shelly & Greg Sachs Stephen Shideler Ellen & Jerrold Simon Sarah Skwire Pauline Spiegel & Peter Grossman Leslie Thompson & Benjamin Pecar Debra Wagner & Robin Lybolt Bess Walter Barbara Ward Robin & Richard Weiss Julie Wechter-Smith & Andrew Smith Constance Whitman & Leonard Dintenfass Margaret & Steven Wise Elliott Yolles Heritage $3,600 - $5,399 Nichole & Benjamin Abraham Gregory Anema Ilene & Richard Arends Dianna & Aaron Balanoff Lorraine & Andrew Ball Marcy & Michael Bandick Mary Ruth Barnard

Gayle & Randall Bernstein Dee & Ronald Bloom Jacklyn Bolles & Barry Wormser Rosemary Borek David Brokaw Deborah & Steven Bulloff Linda & Louis Cantor Caren & Michael Chopp Darla & Howard Cohen Dona & Larry Cohen Jennifer & Jeffrey Cohen Sara & Brian Cox Roberta & Thomas Dakich Miriam & David Dant Risa & Thomas Davidson Myrna Davis Susan Dluz & Kenneth Gould Juliet & Alan Duncanson Susan & Howard Edenberg Jon Efroymson Joanne & J. Stuart Engelberg Amy & Eric Essley Stephanie Fleck Karen Fried Peter Fruehman Lisa Freeman & Kevin Hardie Sarah Freeman & Ian Stewart Sylvia & James Funk Susan & Robert Garelick Lynn Giles Valerie & Shelby Goldblatt Meredith Golomb Janice Goodman Lynda & Evan Goodman Melanie & Oren Gottlieb Jaclyn Grahl & Joshua Simonds Judith & Chester Hastings Sara & Jeffrey Hastings Linda & Robert Hewitt Carolyn & Harold Hiser Robyn & David Honig Rebecca & Marc Jaffe Carol & Kenneth Joseph Jane & David Josephson Phyllis & Kenneth Kaplan Matthew Kaprove Rachel Katzenellenbogen & Bernard Mansavage Carol & Norman Kempler Tamara Kester & David Cream Betty & David Klapper Sally Klein Christina & Andrew Klineman Dorothy Klineman Stephan Kort Alison & Aron Kramer Kimberly & Jonathan Kranz Jean & Albert Lee Judy & Gerald Levine Neil Levine Barbara Levy Debra & Steve Leyndyke Mona Loft Paula & David Magee Gerald Mansbach Debra & David Mennel Angela & Jarrett Meyer Deborah Milkey Lindsey & Jason Mintz Susan & Jack Moss Catherine & Jeffrey Mossler Elizabeth & Brad Mouser Alan Norris Erin O'Leary & Jonathon Barefoot Faye Owens Emily & Rick Peltz Sally (Sara) & Mark Perlstein Carolina Pimentel-Nelson & Miles Nelson Nancy Porter Joseph Rabb Pamela & Stephen Rappaport

Nancy & Howard Ratner Kirsten & Adam Rubin Marcia & Zachary Ruderman Ellen & David Schwartz Ann Shepherd Caryl Shideler Heather & Todd Shumaker Benice & Al Silver Jennifer & Mark Sniderman Valarie & Matthew Solomon Judith & Theodore Sosin Rebecca & Mark Stempel Elizabeth & Michael Sulkin Stanley Talesnick Betty & Morton Tavel Mitchell Tobin Jennifer & Gary Vigran Debbie & Douglas Waldman Ariel & Robert Weissbach Elaine White & Mark Langer Melissa & Steve Williams Rebecca Willis & Jeremy Goldstein Gloria & Thomas Wiser Marion Wolen Joan Wolf & Walter, Jr. Tina & Robert Youkilis Carolyn & Ronald Zhiss Shana & Brian Zwick Enid & Leslie Zwirn Sustaining Members $2,900 - $3,599 Sara & Mark Bernstein Victoria & Seth Cahn Elyse & Curt Chuvalas Jennifer & Matthew Cohn Ellen & William Cooler Jane & Kevin Corn Linda & Andrew Falender Risé Friedman & Todd Wentico Marilyn & Milton Gilbert Judy & Mark Goldberg Rose-Marie & Robert Goodman Sara & Gary Halberstadt Beverly Harrison Phyllis & Stanley Herman Susan & Robert Himelstein Lainie & Steven Hurwitz Nicole Keller & Thomas Bush Gaye & Michael Kerschner Rena & Beau Kessler Gina & Robert Laiken Cynthia & Ronald Levin Jane & Irwin Malament Elizabeth & Larry Martin Janet & Michael Miller Marsha & Mark Millikan Ellen & R. Brian Modiano Estelle & Elliott Nelson Claire Newkirk & Andrew Levy Susan Popp Franklyn Prickett Kathleen Rice Janice & Brandon Roger Joyce Rose-Weisberger & Phillip Weisberger Mark Rosentraub Dana & George Sanders Priscilla & David Schnur Norman Sider Florence & Greg Silver Mary & Eric Simons Darlene Slaby Jeannie & Mark Stein Carly & Larry Turow Elizabeth Wathen Susan Williams & David Rimstidt

IHC extends its deepest thanks to the Braun Family, whose generous bequest provided a new roof for our temple.