Wishing all our congregation a Happy Thanksgiving and a joyful Hanukkah. I shared just a month ago the staffing challenges that JCOGS is facing, including the departure of our FT office administrator and upcoming departure in mid December of our PT bookkeeper, Elisabeth Ortiz. Again, I thank you all for your patience at this time and I would like to update you on the Board’s work to address this issue.
The loss of staff that the Board faced provided an opportunity, allowing the board to rethink our administrative structure. JCOGS is an organization with a budget of over half a million dollars. We are run by lay leadership who lack the skill set or time to run an organization of this size and complexity. After much discussion and debate, I am incredibly happy to report that the JCOGS board unanimously voted and has begun a search for a full-time Executive Director. With an Executive Director, we will be better able to improve programming, support staff, better manage our finances, operate our building and grounds and serve our membership and community. Positions of this kind are often filled by word-of-mouth, so please take a moment to forward this link to anyone you think may be qualified and interested.
We are currently interviewing for a part-time office administrator. We are also looking at bookkeeper options. I can assure you, your JCOGS board is working diligently to keep JCOGS running as effectively and efficiently as possible.
Even with the administrative upheaval, Rabbi David and Beth have kept the show running. Friday night and Saturday services, onegs, Hartmann Institute learning, Olam Chesed, Kinderlach and Gesher, Ateed, many upcoming Hanukkah events, Mitzvah celebrations, and much more continue without a hitch.
Appropriate for this time and season, I would like to thank Rabbi David, Beth, Carol Marshall, the Rabbi’s assistant, and the JCOGS board, especially Cyndy Wyatt and Lynne Gedenken, all of whom have taken on the lion's share of the work in keeping us moving forward.
We are entering the season of giving, the Warm Toes Fund was featured in the Rabbi’s weekly email. And as the end of the calendar year approaches, we will be rolling out the End of the Year Appeal. Thank you for your generosity in this season of giving.
Again to you all, a Happy Thanksgiving and Hanukkah Sameach.
