Shalom CST,

I’m writing to share some important updates on our Board Nominations process and Committees, and to invite you into the many ways you can get involved in our kehillah right now.

Board of Directors Nominations for FY2027 — Great News: All Directors Are Renewing!

Our Nominating Committee has confirmed that all current Directors will be renewing for another term, so there are no open Board seats this cycle. It is tremendous to have our board leadership so dedicated to this work and committed to helping move us through this essential transition as our Together for Tomorrow campaign kicks into high gear later this year. Board continuity will be invaluable as we navigate what’s ahead.

If you’ve ever been curious about service to our shul, now or in the future, I’d love to chat about ways you can help move our work forward. Now is a great time to get involved through our many volunteer opportunities. Read on to find the right fit for you.

Committees Need You Now!

Committees are where so much of the real work of our shul happens, and they’re a wonderful way to plug in, contribute your skills, and make a direct impact on our kehillah. If you’re considering Board service to the shul down the road or want to contribute now, serving on a committee is a great way to get a firsthand look at the many priorities and efforts that make our shul run.

Reach out to Melissa if you’d like to join a committee or just learn more.

CST’s Standing Committees (named in our Constitution)

    • Cemetery — Preserving our cemetery as a sacred and dignified resting place.
    • Development — Fostering financial sustainability and growth.
    • Facilities (formerly Building Committee) — Monitoring our building’s condition and recommending repairs. Actively seeking new members.
    • Finance — Managing our financial resources with transparency and accountability.
    • Membership — Attracting, welcoming, and retaining members.
    • Ritual — Supporting Rabbi with guidance on services, lifecycle events, and religious programming.
    • Sisterhood — An auxiliary that functions like a committee, supporting the shul, running events, the Gift Shop, and contributing to youth education.

Ad-Hoc & Additional Committees

    • Chesed — Providing outreach, meals, and support to community members during illness, loss, or other lifecycle moments. (Yes, that birthday call came from them!)
    • Do The Right Thing — Originally focused on protecting vulnerable community members, this committee has grown to include emergency planning and safety preparedness. Join them Sunday, May 31st for a community earthquake and disaster preparedness session in the Chapel — details and registration in the weekly eBlast.
    • Education — A work-in-progress focused on youth and adult learning opportunities. If you have a passion for education, we want to hear from you.
    • Together for Tomorrow Campaign — After months of Shaar-ing Sessions across the city, the Together for Tomorrow Campaign itself is expected to launch later this year and into 2027, with many opportunities to come.

There is no shortage of ways to plug in, and every bit of involvement makes a difference. Talk to me about Board service, reach out to Melissa about Committees, and watch the weekly eBlast for upcoming events and ways to stay connected. We are at an exciting moment in CST’s story, and we want you to be part of it.

It is genuinely rewarding to preside over a warm, heimishe, and thriving shul in a city I love. I see you, and I appreciate everything you give to this kehillah.

B’Shalom,

Raphi Rosenblatt
President, Congregation Shaarie Torah
President@shaarietorah.org