Our Sinai Temple Bylaws describe the team of officers who serve on our Executive Committee, which helps steer the decision making and governance of our Temple. The bylaws also outline which officers have a portfolio of committees, which they guide and support.
Many synagogue members serve our community by actively participating in one or more of these committees. Below you will find committee descriptions. We hope you will review this list of committees and contact [email protected] if you are interested in learning more and/or serving as part of these hands-on leadership groups.
COMMITTEE: ART AND DECOR
Committee Chair: Paul Herman
Description:
The Art & Décor Committee is responsible for the art displayed around the Sinai Temple building.
COMMITTEE: BAR/BAT MITZVAH
Committee Chair: Ellie Pourbaba
Description:
The Bar/Bat Mitzvah Committee is charged with setting dates for all upcoming B’nai Mitzvah. The Committee also reviews any B’nai Mitzvah eligibility request forms and make a recommendation to the Cantor’s office. The Committee meets at least once a year to discuss any issues with eligibility requirements that need to be addressed. Other than that requests from families are sent out through email and committee members can give advice or recommendations via email. Once a year the chair meets with the Cantor’s office and designated parent liaisons to set dates.
COMMITTEE: Barad Hall
Committee Chairs: Jina Rezvanpour, Mehrzad Roshan & Rosa Berman Ruder
Description:
The Barad Hall Committee coordinated logistics and honors for the Barad High Holy Day services.
COMMITTEE: BIKKUR CHOLIM
Committee Chair: Lebeabu Kpone-Tonwe
Description:
The Bikkur Cholim Committee reaches out to those Temple members who are ill — as well as to those who are home-bound or lonely. This is done through visiting, note writing, phone calls and food delivery. The Committee meets once a year and as needed.
COMMITTEE: BOARD DEVELOPMENT
Committee Chair: Marci Maniker
Description:
The Board Development Committee oversees the training and development of new and current Board of Directors, and provides tools used by the Board to manage information exchange.
COMMITTEE: CATERING
Committee Chair: Janet Rosenblum
Description:
The Catering Committee oversees relationships between the in-house caterer (Pat’s), customers and Sinai Temple, including reviewing client and synagogue surveys.
COMMITTEE: DEVELOPMENT
Committee Chair: Lisa Pompan
Description:
The Development Committee is charged with Temple wide fundraising efforts, including the Annual Appeal and the Gala. The Chair of the Development Committee and/or the Vice President of Development report periodically to the Board of Directors the status of the fundraising efforts.
COMMITTEE: COMMUNICATIONS
Committee Chair: Lisa Pompan
Description:
The Communications Committee administers and manages all Temple-related public relations, advertising, print material, online publications and other communications.
COMMITTEE: DOR CHADASH
Committee Chairs: Sabrina Adler, Sherri Ghodsian, Tobi Kaufman & Julie Silberstein
Description:
The Dor Chadash Committee works with Rabbi Guzik and the Programming Manager on events and programs for Dor Chadash families. Dor Chadash is Sinai Temple’s warm and welcoming community for young families with young children ages 0-6. Together, families engage in social, cultural and spiritual activities that build upon and enrich Jewish identity.
COMMITTEE: GREETERS
Committee Chair: David Matloob
Description:
The Greeters Committee schedules greeters to assist at religious services during the High Holy Days, Shabbat, other holidays and events.
COMMITTEE: HISTORY & ARCHIVES
Committee Chair:
Description:
The History & Archives Committee oversees a permanent historical record of congregational activities, collecting and organizing historical documents, photographs, etc.
COMMITTEE: HOUSE & GROUNDS
Committee Chair: Frank Pournazarian
Description:
The House & Ground Committee oversee the use and configuration of the Temple/Schools building and oversees capital improvements and repairs of the Temple grounds.
COMMITTEE: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS
Committee Chair: Eric Mamos
Description:
The Information Technology Systems Committee that has oversight responsibilities concerning the overall role of technology in executing the mission of the synagogue including, but not limited to, technology investment, technology strategy, operational performance, and network performance and security.
COMMITTEE: ISRAEL CENTER
Committee Chair: Tom Flesh
Description:
The Israel Center Committee oversees the Sinai Temple Israel Center. The Israel Center is the first synagogue center that provides programmatic resources and avenues for Los Angeles Jewry to establish cultural, professional, spiritual, and economic ties to the State of Israel. The Center seeks to forge an ever-stronger link between Los Angeles Jewry and our sacred land of Israel by providing programming and resources in the areas of education, culture, activism, and travel. The Center also aspires to enhance Israel’s image and standing in our community and across the United States, and acts as a role model for other institutions to follow with the hope that they can replicate our various projects in their communities.
COMMITTEE: MEMBERSHIP & RETENTION
Committee Chairs: Rob Galperson & Rosa Berman Ruder
Description:
The Membership & Retention Committee formulates and implements plans to retain, engage and recruit Sinai Temple members. The Committee also oversees timely collection of all dues commitments of the members.
COMMITTEE: MUSIC
Committee Chair: Jane Cohen
Description:
The Music Committee works with the Senior Cantor of Sinai Temple in the selection of music for Shabbat, Holidays and High Holy Day services, showcasing the music of Sinai Temple. The Committee also assists the Senior Cantor in maintaining the music library of Sinai Temple.
COMMITTEE: PLANET PURIM
Description:
The Committee plans and supports the annual Planet Purim carnival.
COMMITTEE: PROGRAMMING
Description:
The Programming Committee works closely with the Sinai Temple Director of Membership & Programming and the clergy in planning and offering a wide variety of classes, workshops, panel discussions, lectures, retreats, Shabbatons, and Scholar-In-Residence programs.
COMMITTEE: RELIGIOUS SCHOOL
Committee Chair:
Description:
The Religious School Committee oversees the operations of the Religious School.
COMMITTEE: RITUAL
Committee Chair: Elie Alyeshmerni
Description:
The Ritual Committee membership includes clergy, staff and Temple members. The Committee discusses proposals and recommendations pertaining to the rules, regulations and procedures for religious services, including the High Holy Days. On an annual basis, the Committee reviews High Holy Day services and discusses recommendations relating thereto.
COMMITTEE: SECURITY
Committee Chair: Leon Biederman
Description:
The Security Committee oversees the physical security of all non-MSMP facilities.
COMMITTEE: SHIVA
Committee Chairs: Linda & Abe Knobel
Description:
The Shiva Committee supports Temple members during their seven days of mourning upon request. The Committee sets up the home for shiva, provides prayer books, kippot, chairs, and ensures there are enough people to hold the minyanim services.
COMMITTEE: SOCIAL ACTION
Committee Chair: Sindy Paikal
Description:
The Social Action Committee provides unique leadership in addressing the diversified needs of the community. The Committee organizes and plans social action events throughout the year for the entire Sinai Community. Committee members represent the various affiliates and communities at Sinai Temple. The activities of the Committee are coordinated with affiliated organizations (Men’s Club, Sisterhood, etc.) to avoid duplicate of efforts.
OTHER COMMITTEES
The below committees are by invite only, for more information contact [email protected]
