LC Meeting - March 29, 2011

Attendees:  Rivka Friedman, Dena Roth, Gil Landau, Deena Fox, Rebecca Murow, Ariella Kurshan, Zvika Krieger, Julia Zuckerman, Dina Epstein, Ben Freedman

 

1. Shavuot Retreat Pricing

In our efforts to stay in our budget for the Shavuot Retreat, we will be raising the prices slightly.  For the last two years we have gone over budget and have subsidized more than was originally budgeted.  We discussed the possibility of a progressive pricing structure, so that people who register late will pay more than those who register early. We are also in the process of determining appropriate pricing with a flat across-the-board increase for members, non-members, and children.

Ariella will crunch some numbers to figure a pricing system that is in-line with our 2011 budget.

Dina suggested fundraising in order to subsidize more for this event in the future.

The SC explained that DC Minyan could theoretically subsidize the retreat more heavily, but that the retreat already receives over $5,000 in subsidy funds.  Given that the retreat is a program that less than one-third of members attend, the SC felt that the budgeted subsidy level was appropriate.  However, the SC agreed to reconsider the issue given LC feedback that the retreat is one of the best programs DC Minyan coordinates throughout the year, and while not every member attends, every member has the option to attend.

 

2. Feedback on Purim

Rivka said we have received wonderful feedback across the board. People preferred a day-time spiel during the seudah as opposed to a night-time spiel after the megillah reading.

Ariella asked about the partnership with 6th & I. She said Saturday night with didn’t feel like DC Minyan. Gil agreed.

Ben mentioned the seating upstairs inadvertently became mixed, and noted that some people preferred having that seating option.

Deena likes the partnership with 6th & I, as she sees a value to DC Minyan participating as part of the larger DC community. It allows new people to try out DC Minyan.

Gil agreed that it is a great opportunity for people to experience DC Minyan.

Rivka asked whether people are actually experiencing DC Minyan or just experiencing an event DC Minyan puts on at Purim. We will need to make more compromises to meet 6th and I preferences if we continue to partner with them.

Dena shared the perspective of the Gabbai Committee. Four of the five members of the GC do not prefer a partnership with 6th & I because of the physical distance of the building, the necessary use of a microphone, the space, and the vibe. The fifth GC member appreciated the contrast the Saturday night partnership provided to the Sunday morning megillah reading/seudah/spiel.

Ariella asked if we have other options.

Dina said that once a year it is ok to have a different kind of experience in order to reach out to a broader group and be a part of the greater DC Jewish community. She noted that unless we are in the community room of the DC JCC on Shabbat, it likely won’t really feel like DC Minyan.

Julia reiterated the need to make compromises with 6th & I in the future. Specifically, some of our megillah readers would not be able to read in order to allow room for 6th & I readers.

Rebecca explained how megillah reading is a valued honor for our committed involved members, which might make it difficult to tell them they can not read megillah.

Dena also mentioned the difference between the holiday falling on a Saturday night and a weeknight.

 

3. Kashrut Taskforce Update

Dena said the KT is trying to schedule community meetings for the spring. Jon Dine is drafting FAQs for the website about how people can prepare food in their kitchens that conforms to DC Minyan kashrut standards.

4. Brainstorming about potential volunteers and upcoming events

Rivka announced that we have a couple leadership positions currently available (webmaster, community relations coordinator) and asked for new people to reach out to to fill the roles.

 

5. DC Minyan’s 10-Year Anniversary

We brainstormed potential events to mark DC Minyan’s 10-year anniversary next year.

Dena suggested a gala dinner and also pointed out that the Shavuot Retreat will be 3 days in 2012 because of Shabbat.

Zvika said the Independent Minyan conference will likely be in DC this fall, which could be a good kickoff to the year.

Ariella reminded the group of the leyn and learn campaign from the 5th anniversary where every member had the opportunity to present a d’var torah or read torah.

Dina suggested a fundraiser or some sort of 10th anniversary donation campaign. She also said we should reach out to all of our members - former and current - through Facebook and other social networking sites.

Gil suggested we present it as “ten years back, ten years forward.”

Dina suggested having an event at the bookstore where the minyan held its first meeting.

Dena would like a special appearance from Kanye and/or Kim Kardashian.

Dina said the big event should take place in January, February, or March.

Rivka added that the entire DC Jewish community should be included.

 

6. Fifth Shabbat Programming

Dina suggested onegs in peoples’ houses on Friday nights, seudot shlishit, outdoor picnics during the summer, rotating minyanim in people’s homes.

Ben said we should use these “fifth shabbat” programming opportunities as experiments to try new, “crazy,” things.