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.
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.
Update on our Work Together
Hello Congregants,
Following our vote to approve a Plan of Consolidation for Or Chadash & Temple Emanu-El, we learned that both Or Chadash and Temple Emanu-El were eligible to apply for the second round of the federal Payroll Protection Program (PPP) which (if successful) would provide us with funds for our personnel costs. Because the application requires documentation of the prior year’s financial situation and how an organization has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, Kol Ami would not be eligible.
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:
- Continued or increased collaborations in targeted areas, such as Religious School and Sisterhood.
- 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 Sarah Bollt 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.
Results of the Voting on Proposed MOU
By Sarah Bollt 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 […]
Ambassadors’ Report
By Sarah Bollt 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 […]
Ambassadors’ Report
By Sarah Bollt 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 […]