Dear Kol Emeth Family:
As another year has passed, it was great to see a return to an in-person Annual Meeting. In-person and hybrid participatory meetings, with sometimes spirited debate, are the hallmark of the Kol Emeth community. The discussion generated some ideas for better ways to present financial information in the future, and the Board and I are now tasked with making our financials even more transparent, including our investments. I would like to thank our participants sincerely for helping improve the quality of our communication.
Up for consideration at the meeting was approval of the Board slate for 2023-2024, and approval of the annual budget, as passed by the Board of Directors. Both measures passed; the Board slate received over 98% of the vote in the affirmative, and the budget received over 93% of the vote in the affirmative.
Related to practicalities and daily business, the budget passed for 2023-2024 as approved by the Membership includes a 10% dues increase. You will see this increase reflected on your invoice for 2023-2024. If you have a special rate, the increase will be added proportionally to your special rate. As always, we do not want to allow a Member’s financial status to keep them from participating in the community should this increase prove to be too steep. KE Cares is available to members who wish to ask for a scaled rate due to financial need on a case by case basis. Please email KECares@kolemeth.org to have a confidential conversation about your dues rate at any time throughout the year. Vivek Sharma, Finance Manager, is available for questions about invoices you receive. He can be reached at vivek@kolemeth.org.
I would like to thank Lisa Peckler, Dan Kletter, and the rest of the Board for their support of the Administrative side of KE, Rabbi Booth and Rabbi Graff for their teamwork and visioning, and Sarah Miller for developing programs that have been allowing KE to buck the trend of shrinking Conservative shuls across the country. Over the last year it has become evident that “word on the street” is Kol Emeth is the place to bring your family and friends to worship, learn, play, and socialize.
Finally I would like to thank all of KE staff for making the dream happen, and to thank you, the members, for making Kol Emeth a so very special and rewarding place to work.
L’Chaim,
Risa
