Author Archive
President’s Greeting
by rabbidebra on Jan.11, 2011, under General
The State of Our Congregation: An Overview
By Karen Numerof, President, December 2010
To date our membership for 2010-2011 is 196 units. A “unit” can be a single person, a couple or a family with children. Most of our “units” are couples or families which expands our total number to almost 500. We can no longer call ourselves a “small congregation”.
Our congregation is not a homogeneous group. We are full time residents of the Vail Valley, part-time residents and visitors from all over the country who come only at certain times of the year. We are members who were part of B’nai Vail from its beginning over 30 years ago, young families and many who have supported B’nai Vail through our years of growth and change.
The majority of our full-time members, including most families, live mid-valley, while our part-time residents (associate members) are spread out from Vail to down-valley. These demographics present many scheduling and location challenges. Using information gathered from our recent survey, to which we had an amazing response, the Board, Rabbi and committee members have put much thought into the scheduling of our special events, Shabbat services and programs.
We will continue to hold services and events at the Vail Chapel, and you will also begin to see some programs and services being scheduled at the new Edwards Interfaith Chapel and Community Center. This facility will soon be providing classrooms for our children and meeting rooms for committees. Many B’nai Vail members have played a major role in the realization and financial support of this long-time vision. I hope you all will attend our programs held at this beautiful center. You will see how our community is truly a unique example of interfaith collaboration.
Providing a Jewish education to the 60(!) children who attend our religious school continues to be a major focus. The success of this year’s “Pillar Membership Campaign” will provide support for our education programs and many other financial responsibilities of our congregation, as dues alone do not fund all our expenses. The pledges of our “Guardians” from “Imagine the Possibilities” continue to provide funding for our programs, such as 92nd St Y and celebrations for Hanukkah and Passover. If you are interested in becoming a “Guardian” or “Pillar”, please call the office at: (970) 477-2992
Our Board and the revitalized Membership Committee is focusing on ways to retain our members, seek new members, and be responsive to the needs and suggestions we heard from you through the survey. To date we have over 20 new members, some of whom were once members and have returned, and we are reaching out to those who have not renewed.
We must always pay attention to growing our membership base and each of us can be part of this process. Invite friends and people you meet to a service or event. Welcome those you don’t know at our services and programs. And most important, your participation creates wonderful energy and provides the motivation to belong to our Jewish community.
Here are some statistics which I believe reveal the commitment of our members and the support which goes beyond the mountains of Vail.
• 34 members stepped up the level of their membership this year to become “Pillars”.
• Over a third of our membership consists of part-time residents.
• 40% of our “Guardians” and 50% of our “Pillars” are part-time residents.
• Our extraordinary mountaintop services are attended by almost 200 people, who often are moved to then become members.
It is apparent that B’nai Vail is working hard to fulfill our Mission Statement….welcoming individuals and families of diverse backgrounds… creating a supportive environment that is spiritual, intellectual and social. We aspire to be a Jewish community that fosters a sense of belonging and enables us to connect with one another.
Although there will always be things we can improve upon, and we will always be challenged by transitions and the unexpected, B’nai Vail is strong and we are so because of you. Thank you for being a member.
B’Shalom
Karen Numerof
President
