On Sunday, January 17th, 2021, each member unit of Congregation Or Chadash received an invitation to vote electronically on the Plan of Consolidation (PoC). You can view the PoC and its supporting documents here. 

Cover Letter
Plan of Consolidation
PoC Exhibit A - Bylaws
PoC Exhibit B - Financial Projections
PoC Exhibit C - Positions
FAQ I
FAQ II

Our collaboration with Temple Emanu-El has gone through several stages. On this page, you can view the documents and reports from each of those stages, as well as read the most recent updates from the Joint Executive Committee.

Joint Executive Committee Update

The Joint Executive Committee (JEC) includes members of the Executive Committees of the Board of Directors of both Temple Emanu-El and Congregation Or Chadash. JEC has begun to meet at least weekly to discuss issues relevant to fulfilling the mandate of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) approved by both congregations February 9, 2020, in order to move forward together to become a new congregation.

The meetings from the past two weeks include updates on the following issues:

Governance: Bylaws for the proposed new congregation are based on integrating the current bylaws of both congregations with the goal of streamlining as much as possible. Many of the policies currently included were eliminated so the incoming Board could have responsibility in determining its approach. The proposed Bylaws also address the transitional period. The JEC reviewed in detail the draft proposed by congregants Amelia Cramer and Audrey Brooks. A newer version will be submitted to each Board for their input and review this month.

Finance: Gary Kippur, Mark Ross, and Jeff Rein reviewed the presentation that will be given at the upcoming Town Hall. The JEC asked many questions to ensure the information on congregants’ minds will be readily available in the presentation.

Facilities: Steve Tofel reviewed the presentation that his committee will give at the upcoming Town Hall. Many of the issues regarding our facilities was discussed.

Vision and Naming: The proposed names for the new congregation will be sent to our congregants for input and voting.

Town Halls: The second Virtual Town Hall is planned for this Sunday, November 22nd, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.; presentations from the Finance and Facilities committees will take place. Keep a look out for communication providing details on how to attend.

We want to know your thoughts, ideas and vision for our new congregation.

Please contact our presidents to advise Scott Arden and Elaine Jones of your interest by sending an email to: president@tetucson.org or president@octucson.org.

As always, thank you for your commitment and the passion you bring to our congregation!

Mona L Gibson, Temple Emanu-El, IPP

1 2 3 4 5 »

Introduction to the Task Force Reports

In early 2019, the Boards of Directors of Congregation Or Chadash and Temple Emanu-El initiated discussions between representatives of each congregation (“Ambassadors”) to consider a possible future together under two scenarios:

  1. Continued or increased collaborations in targeted areas, such as Religious School and Sisterhood.
  2. A future merger with analysis of potential positive outcomes, negative aspects and possible strategies to address barriers to successful merger.

In August 2019, with the guidance of Rabbi Fine of URJ, we populated eight (8) task forces to explore key aspects of the two scenarios. 1) Finance 2) Governance 3) Facilities 4) Religious School 5) Worship 6) Clergy 7) Communications 8) Joint Programming. The reports for the first six will be sent out to congregations ahead of town halls as follows: There will be no reports from Communications or Joint Programming as these dealt with ongoing activities not with projections about our future.

Sunday, Nov 3: Finance and Governance reports at Or Chadash 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and at Temple Emanu-El 1:00-2:00 p.m.
Sunday, Nov 17: Facilities and Religious Schools at Or Chadash 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and at Temple Emanu-El 1:00-2:00 p.m.
Sunday Dec 8: Worship and Clergy at Or Chadash 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and at Temple Emanu-El 1:00-2:00 p.m.
Please click on the tabs below to read the Finance and Governance reports.

Task Force Reports

Introduction to the Ambassadors' Reports

Text content

Ambassadors' Reports

Ambassadors’ Report

By in 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.

More

Results of the Voting on Proposed MOU

By in Ambassadors' Reports

Temple Emanu-El and Congregation Or Chadash counted ballots on Sunday, February 9th regarding the proposed Memorandum of Understanding to move forward with merging our congregations. Both congregations gave strong approval for the MOU. A total of 140 Temple Emanu-El congregants voted, with a 95% (n=133) “yes” votes. A total of 264 Or Chadash congregants voted […]

More

Ambassadors’ Report

By in Ambassadors' Reports

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 […]

More

Ambassadors’ Report

By in Ambassadors' Reports

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 […]

More