Ambassadors’ Reports

The Ambassadors met to review proposals from consultants to assist our congregations in implementation of our move to a united congregation.  We will communicate to you the chosen consultant once the respective Boards have an opportunity to review the Ambassadors’ recommendation and take action.

The proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between our congregations about our potential merger was distributed to both congregations. A memorandum of understanding (MOU) is an agreement between two or more parties outlined in a formal document. It is not legally binding but signals the willingness of the parties to move forward with a common line of action. The MOU content was solidified after numerous conversations with legal counsel, Board members, and congregants.

Congregation Or Chadash has established a mail-in ballot voting process which will culminate with counting votes publicly on Sunday, February 9th beginning at 12:30 p.m. Temple Emanu-El will have a special Congregational Meeting on the same day, February 9th, at which attendees will vote in person, or by phone or email during that same time period. We will notify both congregations about the results as soon as possible after the counting on Sunday, February 9th.

This is what your vote this coming Sunday means:

A YES vote means: you approve the proposed MOU as a framework for the Board of Directors to continue working toward a merger of the two congregations. If the MOU is approved, we will schedule another vote on a specific Plan of Merger per current Arizona Law. The Plan of Merger will include greater details than the proposed MOU.

A NO vote means: you do not approve the proposed MOU and work toward a merger will be suspended and we will revisit plans for the future of Temple Emanu-El. We will consider alternative strategies for long-term survival.

Continuing from last week’s report, we want to answer a couple more frequently asked questions.

4. Where would our new congregation be located?
   The financially feasible choice is to use the Temple Emanu-El location at 225 N. Country Club. Other possibilities were thoroughly investigated, including the construction of a new synagogue. However, the financial and facilities task forces concluded that using the structure already in existence that can accommodate the most families is best. In the event of a merger, Or Chadash’s building could be put up for sale, but it is not currently on the market.
5. Who was involved in the process of merging our congregations?
   Each synagogue’s Board assembled a team of congregants called Ambassadors, as well as a set of Task Forces involving additional members of each congregation. These Task Forces assessed the feasibility as well as potential challenges to merging in areas such as joint ritual and worship, finance, governance, facilities, religious school, etc. Each Board approved actions to follow-up on the recommendations of these task forces and to take measures to allow for the possibility of merging. Each member/family in good standing at both institutions is eligible to cast a vote as to whether the two congregations should merge (this Sunday, February 9th!!).

We are still in the process of determining if the congregations should merge. To stay up-to-date, please view these weekly Ambassadors reports and each of the Task Forces reports at both congregation’s websites.

The results of your vote will be announced in this column next week. Please stay connected to find out more about the next steps in our ongoing conversation. And please feel free to share your thoughts and comments by writing to our shared email account at JewishTucson@gmail.com.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between our congregations about our potential merger and the process required for a merger was distributed to both congregations last week. A memorandum of understanding (MOU) is an agreement between two or more parties outlined in a formal document. It is not legally binding but signals the willingness of the parties to move forward with a common line of action. The MOU content was solidified after numerous conversations with legal counsel, Board members, and congregants.

Congregation Or Chadash has established a mail-in ballot voting process which will culminate with counting votes publicly on Sunday, February 9th. Temple Emanu-El will have a special Congregational Meeting on the same day, February 9th, when attendees will vote. Temple will announce a call-in option and more alternative absentee balloting options shortly. The meetings at both congregations will begin at 12:30 p.m.

We want to take the opportunity in this and next week’s weekly email communications to answer several frequently asked questions.

1. What would be the end result of a merger of Congregation Or Chadash and Temple Emanu-El?
   The end result would be a new congregation that respects the history of the two institutions and evolves with future generations to enrich and sustain Tucson’s Reform Jewish community, creating a more vibrant atmosphere than either institution could have offered alone. This would be a congregation at whose instantiation we could all chant the Shehecheyanu, feeling the weight and truth of the words, “sustained us and brought us to this season.”
2. What would be our new congregation’s name?
   While this is an important topic to address, we have not yet broached it. We are very cognizant of the fact that the name should reflect the new energy and evolving nature of a merged institution. We will form a new committee to address this topic if the MOU is approved.
3. Who would be the clergy for our new congregation?
   We will honor current contracts and work together to retain clergy or to find new clergy as necessary. In 2019, Rabbi Appel informed the Temple Emanu-El Board that she will not seek renewal of her contract, which ends on June 30, 2020. Thus, Temple Emanu-El is actively searching for an interim rabbi to serve a one-year term. Rabbi Louchheim would continue on as part of the clergy for the merged synagogue. The merged board will be responsible for finding any other clergy that the congregation will need. We anticipate that this would include a second rabbi after the services of the interim rabbi are concluded.

Please stay connected to find out more about the next steps in our ongoing conversation. Please feel free to share your thoughts and comments by writing to our shared email account at jewishtucson@gmail.com.

The Ambassadors completed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between our congregations about our potential merger and the process to take to make that happen. A memorandum of understanding (MOU) is an agreement between two or more parties outlined in a formal document. It is not legally binding but signals the willingness of the parties to move forward with a common line of action.  After numerous conversations with legal counsel, Board members and congregants, the MOU was distributed to each congregation.

The detailed MOU with its introduction will be distributed to all congregants of each congregation. The two synagogues will conduct a vote of its members. Or Chadash has established a mail-in ballot voting process which will culminate with counting votes publicly on Sunday, February 9^th. Temple Emanu-El will have a Special Congregational Meeting on the same day, February 9^th, where attendees will vote during the meeting, with alternative absentee balloting options to be announced. Both meetings will begin at 12:30 p.m. and end at 2:00 p.m. Details of these processes will be forthcoming to each congregation by your leadership.

As stated last week; if the MOU is approved by both congregations:

• Boards of Directors vote to authorize expenditures related to preparations for merger
• Apply for funding for expenses related to merger (IMPACT)
• Hire a consultant to help with the steps in a merger
• Create new committees to assist in development of the details in the Plan of Merger
• Retain legal counsel to draft final documents in accordance with current Arizona Law, including Articles of Incorporation and Plan for Merger
• Congregational vote on Plan of Merger

If the MOU is not approved by both congregations:

• Work toward a merger will be suspended
• Usual annual financial planning process will continue for each synagogue
• Each Board will review their financial situation and work to mitigate losses for the current and upcoming fiscal year
• Fundraising efforts through dues and donations will be redoubled. Expenses associated with programming, services and administration may be cut
• Boards of Directors will consider merging Religious Schools while remaining as independent congregations

Please stay connected to find out more about the next steps in our ongoing conversation.

And please feel free to share your thoughts and comments by writing to our shared email account at JewishTucson@gmail.com.

We’ve been busy since the 2^nd meeting with the Finance Task Force on January 6! The Ambassadors met to review our status, the current draft of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between our congregations, and the process necessary to continue toward a potential merger. A memorandum of understanding (MOU) is an agreement between two or more parties outlined in a formal document. It is not legally binding but signals the willingness of the parties to move forward with a common line of action.

Click here to view the PowerPoint from our January 12^th Town Hall Meeting.

The MOU has eight essential elements, including the following:

• Combined congregations at 225 N. Country Club
• Religious schools will be combined
• Worship service styles decided by clergy and Ritual Committee
• Clergy continue. Their roles/responsibilities negotiated with the new board
• Administrative functions/financial operations merged
• Governance merged, with equal representation of former congregations
• New committees e.g. mission/vision, naming, governance, yahrzeit board, and Imagination Committee
• Target date: On or before December 31, 2020. The timeline is subject to change based on the progress of the various committees and the approval of the two boards.

The detailed MOU with its introduction will be distributed to all congregants of each congregation. The two synagogues will conduct a vote of their members. Or Chadash has established a mail-in ballot voting process which will culminate with counting votes publicly on Sunday, February 9^th.  Temple will have a Special Congregational Meeting on the same day, February 9^th, where attendees will vote during the meeting.  Details of these processes will be forthcoming to each congregation by your leadership.

If the MOU is approved by both congregations:

• Boards of Directors vote to authorize expenditures related to preparations for merger.
• Apply for funding for expenses related to merger (IMPACT)
• Hire a consultant to help with the steps in a merger
• Create new committees to assist in development of the details in the Plan of Merger
• Retain legal counsel to draft final documents in accordance with current Arizona Law, including Articles of Incorporation and Plan for Merger
• Congregational vote on Plan of Merger

If the MOU is not approved by both congregations:

• Work toward a merger will be suspended
• Usual annual financial planning process will continue for each synagogue
• Each Board will review their financial situation and work to mitigate losses for the current and upcoming fiscal year
• Fundraising efforts through dues and donations will be redoubled, and expenses associated with programming, services, and administration will likely be cut
• Boards of Directors will consider merging Religious Schools while remaining as independent congregations

Please stay connected to find out more about the next steps in our ongoing conversation.

And please feel free to share your thoughts and comments by writing to our shared email account at JewishTucson@gmail.com.

Members of both congregations attended the Finance Task Force open meeting on Monday, January 6, 2020 at 6:30 pm in the Temple Emanu-El Schlanger Chapel. Approximately 90 people were present to ask financial questions relating to the talks between Temple Emanu-El and Congregation Or Chadash. Elaine Jones and Scott Arden, Presidents of Or Chadash and Temple Emanu-El, respectively, moderated the meeting. Mark Ross and Jeffrey Rein, Treasurers of each congregation, responded to questions and comments for about two hours.

There were many questions regarding the Financial Task Force report, as well as specific line items in the sample combined budget for the current and future fiscal years. Concerns were raised about cash flow issues, proposed savings, and future expenses. Several members, representative of both congregations, expressed their appreciation of the efforts to bring these talks to fruition and of their interest in seeking a combined congregation.

Please stay connected to find out more about the next steps in our ongoing conversation. And please feel free to share your thoughts and comments by writing to our shared email account at JewishTucson@gmail.com.

The calendar year of 2019 was significant for our synagogues and a pivotal time for our collective future.  During this season of reflection and celebration, we hope you had a Happy Chanukah and a safe secular New Year celebration.

During January, the Ambassadors will prepare a memorandum of understanding between our two congregations that will outline the elements of a merged congregation and the steps to be taken to move us to this new entity after approval by both congregations. After seeking advice from our respective legal counsel, we will present the document to our Boards and our congregations.

To ensure our congregants are fully informed, all of the Ambassadors’ weekly and monthly reports, and every task force’s findings and presentation, are posted on our websites for your review and re-reading. Prior to casting your ballot to decide if we proceed with merging our congregations, you will be alerted to the voting process by several methods. Please make sure to contact your synagogue’s administration to confirm that you are a member in good standing in order to be able to vote. And look for further information and voting process announcements in your email and online.

Thank you for the commitment and passion that you bring to this conversation. And please feel free to share your thoughts and comments by writing to our shared email account at JewishTucson@gmail.com.

The Ambassadors created eight task forces to actively envision what a merger of our congregations would look like, identify any hurdles that would conflict with this future, and provide possible solutions to these issues. Six of these task forces will be reporting to our congregations during November and early December in order for the members of both congregations to hear first-hand their findings from these groups. The Communications and Collaborative Efforts task forces will not be reporting as they are already actively working to ensure that our congregants are aware of our processes and have opportunities to meet/work with each other during this time period.

Our third Town Hall meeting to roll out two of our Task Force reports was held on Sunday, December 8, 2019.  As promised, these reports from the Worship and Clergy Task Forces are being emailed to congregants and posted to our synagogue websites. The meetings at each synagogue were well attended, and we thank you all for your continued interest and fabulous questions.

The representatives presenting from the Worship Task Force were Kathylynn Saboda of Or Chadash and Amy Ruskin of Temple Emanu-El. They both presented portions of the presentation with outstanding content and a deep understanding of each of our congregation’s worship activities. The task force reviewed recent and upcoming collaborative efforts between our congregations and the great many types of services in common that are currently offered. Though the services are in large part similar, there are many substantive differences in the approaches taken by the clergy. The task force believed that each congregation’s ritual committee would continue to abide by the traditions of each shul and continue during a transition period that would overlay the actual legal merger into a new entity. During this transition period, there would be parallel services with a multitude of opportunities for all congregants to enjoy a great variety of observances under one roof and to become familiar with different ritual styles. The length of the transition period is not defined by any given date, but rather by the clergy and congregation at large. And, at every opportunity, we will eat, study, and pray together to create a joint sacred community.

The representatives presenting the Clergy Task Force included Rabbi Thomas Louchheim and Emily Joseph of Or Chadash in the morning presentation, and Emily again with Scott Arden of Temple Emanu-El for the afternoon presentation. They reviewed the process the task force took, including extensive research of successful congregational mergers as well as review of different models of clergy leadership. A combined congregation would include two rabbis with both cantor and cantorial soloist and will accommodate a diversity of worship experiences. A clergy integration committee will continuously evaluate the success of the division of responsibilities among the clergy, and how they are working together and with the congregants. The spiritual future of our congregation will be through collaborative problem-solving – working together to understand and change conditions that involves congregants to raise their own consciousness to the fundamental issues that face our Jewish community.

In the morning Town Hall at Or Chadash, Dave Flyer reported on a very detailed and professional process for congregants to vote via a mail-in ballot. At the afternoon session at Temple Emanu-El, Mona Gibson explained that Temple will use the same process as developed by Dave and have requested his guidance on this most important administrative matter.

Our next step is to prepare an outline of the elements of a merged congregation and the steps to be taken to move us to this new entity. Our congregants will be fully informed before any vote is taken. All of our weekly and monthly reports, task force findings and presentations, and general information will be posted to our websites for your review.

Thank you for the commitment and passion that you bring to this conversation.  And please feel free to share your thoughts and comments by writing to our shared email account at JewishTucson@gmail.com.

The Ambassadors will be meeting this week to review our last Town Hall meetings where the Religious School and Facilities Task Forces reported their findings. Last week’s communication reviewed the information for you and remember, the final reports and presentations are posted to our synagogue websites.
As we all begin our travels and preparations for Thanksgiving, we want to take a moment to acknowledge all of you for your commitment and passion to our congregations. Both Or Chadash and Temple Emanu-El have an incredible sacred community where warmth, care and concern are in abundance. We are thankful for all of your contributions to these conversations between our synagogues.

Our next Town Hall meetings will be on 12/08/2019 – Worship and Clergy, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at Or Chadash and 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. at Temple Emanu-El. Members of each task force will present their findings, and our goal continues to be to review and discuss each new report openly and honestly. Our congregants will have opportunities to learn more about each topic and to be fully informed before any vote is taken. We will publish meeting reminders via our weekly email communications, and we’ve posted the schedule on our websites.

Thank you for the commitment and passion that you bring to this conversation. And please feel free to share your thoughts and comments by writing to our shared email account at JewishTucson@gmail.com.

May you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving week, where you experience the joy of family, companionship of good friends, and gratitude of the rich land in which we live.