Volunteering or attending programs and services is a great way to not only help your community, but feel more a part of it. Learn about our many active committees below. Please contact Temple Administrative Director Heather Tomlinson at templeoffice@templeisraelnh.org to learn more and to get involved!
The Art Review Team encourages congregants and friends to submit work in any media that is of artistic, educational, cultural and/or spiritual nature. Goals of the exhibits:
The Art Review Team is inclusive and welcomes all levels of ability. We have plenty of display space in the Shmooze & Social Hall!
Exhibit and Display Policy
If you are interested in submitting work to the Art Review team, please review our policy and submit this form.
If you have an idea for a workshop or class or would like to schedule a meeting to see work you wish to submit, please contact us.
Community, Tzedakah, Fellowship and Sociability… The mission of Temple Israel’s Brotherhood is to promote closer fellowship among its members while engaging in social and educational activities in support of the Temple and its congregation as a whole.
Our “Chesed Squad” committee reviews our congregation’s needs and how we can best address and serve those who are ill and homebound.
The volunteers on the Chesed Committee are available to assist members with needs that come up quickly and unexpectedly. For example, they provide food and/or visits to members who may be ill, suffer a death in the family or have a new baby. They provide rides to doctor or other appointments, pick up prescriptions, transport to services or Temple programs. Additional services could be available as needs arise.
Approximately 12 members have helped other members in need over the past two years. All are welcome to participate.
The mission of the TIP Development Committee is to ensure that the temple achieves financial sustainability by developing and coordinating a diverse set of funding approaches, including but not limited to dues, tuition and other fees, special events, rentals, campaigns for operating and endowment funds, capital campaigns, major gift solicitation, and planned giving. The committee will ensure that appropriate protocols are in place for acknowledging and tracking gifts, as well as reporting on campaign outcomes.
Temple Israel currently has five designated Endowment Funds. The purpose of the Endowment Fund Committee is to screen requests made to the committee for funding of special projects and to oversee the investments of these funds.
The five endowments include:
All money contributed to an Endowment Fund is invested, not spent. It is only the earned interest, generated each year, that is spent. Unspent interest funds become part of the principal investment for the next year.
Earnings from both the Cultural Endowment Fund and the CJE Endowment Fund support the entire spectrum of cultural and educational activities in the temple and in our community. All interest earnings from the Institutional Operating Endowment, Dinnerman-Rottenberg, and Legacy Endowment Funds are turned over to the temple operating budget for supporting different temple financial responsibilities.
The Memorial Scroll / Holocaust Committee exists to fulfill the congregation’s obligations as the custodian of MST Scroll 486. The committee will promote a higher awareness of the Holocaust as a unique historical event with universal implications for today. The committee will leverage the lessons of history to promote tolerance and understanding.
Maintain MST Scroll 486 in accordance with the terms of the Memorial Scrolls Trust. This includes ongoing insurance, maintenance by an authorized scribe as necessary, and fulfilling financial obligations to the Trust.
MST Scroll 486 is an orphan scroll. The exact town of origin is unknown. The committee will facilitate a process of selecting a town to memorialize from the listing provided by the Trust. The committee will work with the appropriate congregational entities in memorializing the people of the town.
The committee will work with other arms of the congregation to develop and sponsor Holocaust education programming appropriate to the various age groups and demographics of Temple Israel.
The committee will work with other organizations and entities to promote Holocaust education in the greater community. The focus of such education shall include Holocaust remembrance and shall leverage the lessons of history to promote tolerance and understanding.
The committee shall raise funds to accomplish the goals stated above. These funds shall be placed in a restricted fund administered by the committee.
holocaustscroll@templeisraelnh.org
The Israel Affairs Committee is a board appointed group that strives to bring programming to the Temple that will increase our knowledge and appreciation of the state of Israel.
On Nov. 10, the committee invited the Federation’s new Shlicha, Avia Sagron, to talk about the cultural diversity of the Israeli population. About 30 Temple members enjoyed her slide presentation, learned about her family history, and went home with some special family recipes.
On the recommendation of Rabbi Korinow, the committee agreed that a monthly Shabbat Lunch and Learn will be devoted to learning more background and current affairs regarding Israel.
The Temple Israel Membership Committee encourages recruitment and retention of membership in Temple Israel of Portsmouth by reaching out to unaffiliated Jews, following up with people who express interest in TIP before they become members, welcoming people after they become members and helping them connect with the synagogue community, and learning why existing members may choose to leave Temple Israel.
The Committee needs current TIP members with warm and welcoming personalities and a positive attitude in representing the Temple. We seek committee members who represent a range of ages and interests. Helpful skills are event planning; event promotion; writing; and very basic computer skills.
The mission of the Ritual Committee is to work with the rabbi to oversee activities and policies related to worship and other ritual events at the temple. The Committee collaborates with other temple groups and individuals to provide events in celebration and observance of holidays.
We are partnered with the United Methodist Church in Portsmouth for 5-6 weeks during the year. When it is our week, we cook and serve dinner. A volunteer would sign up for one night during that week. You will never cook alone, always with at least 1 other person. The time commitment is shopping and cooking the food, either at home or in the church, and then serving and cleaning up. It is a great way for families to ‘give back” together.
Many Temple Israel members volunteer to cook and serve dinner. Temple members also volunteer to sleep at the Methodist Church during the weeks we are partnered together.
The Spring Event Planning Committee is responsible for organizing and executing a temple fundraiser that generally occurs on a Saturday evening in May. It involves organizing refreshments, entertainment, live music, a fun theme, and a fundraising component (silent or live auction, raffle baskets, vendor ad program).
The Tikkun Olam Committee (formerly the Social Action Committee) 's objective is to share our time, energy and talents to commit to projects for Social Justice and Gemilut Hasidim (acts of loving kindness), reaching out to help others within and beyond the Temple Israel community. Anchored in the values of Judaism, the Tikkun Olam Committee will increase the scope of Temple Israel of Portsmouth long history of tzedakah (righteous deeds) and tikkun olam (the healing of the universe), working to stimulate and support the performance of mitzvot by our members.
Activities of the Tikkun Olam Committee have included:
In the past, the Tikkun Olam Committee has been limited by a lack of membership and community outreach. We wish to express our appreciation for those who have been involved in its efforts and to Rabbi Ira for his involvement and support. We look forward to regaining momentum to address the countless needs for social action facing our community and the interest already expressed by incoming Rabba Kaya.
