Committees, Coordinators, and Volunteer Administrators
Here at Chevrei Tzedek, our membership is actively involved in all aspects of synagogue life. We take great pride in our very knowledgeable and enthusiastic volunteers who, along with the Rabbi, plan the Shabbat services, make our kiddush time together joyous, plan interesting, meaningful programs, organize fundraising, and support each other in times of need.
The work of our volunteers is overseen by our Chair and Vice Chair and coordinated by our Coordinating Committee, which functions as a board of trustees or directors does in most other organizations. The Coordinating Committee is comprised of our elected officers (Chair, Vice Chair, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, and Treasurer), our immediate past chair, the chairs of our standing committees, and our Rabbi.
Standing Committees
Building Committee works with the Myerberg Center on facilities issues, including reserving dates and providing guidance for the set up of special events.
Chesed Committee embodies the caring community that is Chevrei Tzedek. The committee develops policies and offers assistance for members during challenging times. In conjunction with the Rabbi, the committee supports mourners during their grief, including assisting with shiva logistics and providing a meal of consolation. (Additional information available here .) In addition, the committee helps coordinate community support for members during serious illness and other needs, and member confidentiality is maintained. The Chesed committee also offers programming on sensitive lifecycle topics. For assistance contact chesedchair@chevreitzedek.org
Communications Committee is responsible for all internal and external communications, such as the weekly, calendar, website, and social media.
Educational and Cultural Programming Committee (ECPC) organizes and coordinates all adult education programming, including Shabbatot Limuds, mini-courses and Shavuot eve Tikkunim.
Finance and Fundraising Committee is made up of the two Co-Treasurers plus any other Chevrei Tzedek members who are interested in the money side of how the congregation works. We are responsible for putting together the budget each year, and monitoring actual income and expenses each month vs. the budgeted amounts.
In addition, this committee is responsible for raising the funds necessary to operate our shul. This is done through membership commitments (aka dues), additional voluntary contributions from both members and non-members, sales of tickets for High Holidays, and other miscellaneous revenue sources.
Human Resources Committee proposes human resources policies, develops and maintains job descriptions, and coordinates evaluations of employees and independent contractors.
Israel Action Committee helps instill and strengthen our congregation's connection to Israel, by organizing at least two events per year of an educational, celebratory, cultural or commemorative nature.
Membership Committee helps onboard and acclimatize prospective and new members of Chevrei Tzedek including acting as a point of contact and forwarding to other committees such as Communications and Finance and to answer basic logistical questions about our community. Its purpose is also to encourage Members to participate fully with Chevrei Tzedek, including annual giving/membership renewal, High Holy Days volunteerism, and helping to new members join at least one of the other committees that perform the operations that keep our community alive and well.
Ritual Committee develops policies related to halachic observance (kashrut, etc.) according to Conservative Judaic standards, and oversees services and ritual observance with the Rabbi’s guidance.
Social Action Committee leads Chevrei Tzedek’s efforts to bring our Jewish values into action in the wider world. We focus on four core areas—climate justice, reproductive rights, supporting refugees and immigrants, and LGBTQ inclusion—reflecting our commitment to dignity, equity, and caring for the most vulnerable. We organize hands-on volunteer opportunities, learning programs, and community-wide initiatives that address pressing moral issues. Throughout the year, we guide our congregation in observing Tu B’Shevat, Refugee Shabbat, Repro Shabbat, and Baltimore PRIDE, creating opportunities to connect Jewish tradition with environmental stewardship, immigration, reproductive justice, and LGBTQ+ inclusion.
We also work closely with Jews United for Justice (JUFJ) to engage in local advocacy and deepen our impact. Our projects range from providing direct support to vulnerable neighbors to mobilizing our community around social, environmental, and racial justice initiatives. Whether you’re drawn to hands-on service, public advocacy, or helping shape our values-driven programming, we welcome anyone who wants to help Chevrei live out its commitment to tikkun olam.
Strategic Planning Committee develops processes, membership surveys and other means for enhancing our short-term and long-term direction. Oversees bylaw revision and Coordinating Committee retreats.
Youth Committee prepares programming for children and teens. Each month we host a Tot Shabbat modelled on the world-renowned Mother Goose on the Loose. We also do outreach to grandparents to bring their grandchildren to our community to widen our circle. We take the occasional field trip (and sometimes allow adults to join!). Our teenagers help with childcare, available on every Shabbat. Many of our events are centered around Jewish holidays and shabbat. During the high holidays we host crafts and games for the little ones and discussions for the teens. Our young people are involved in setting up and breaking down the sukkah and building miniature edible sukkot. Our teens participate in the amazing tradition of the annual Mitzvathon where they combine fun and food with an outing to buy holiday gifts for families in need.
Rabbinic Committees
Rabbinic Liaison Committee facilitates communication to minimize and resolve in a timely and informal manner any complaints or disputes that may arise between members and the Rabbi. They can be reached at rlc@chevreitzedek.org.
Rabbinic Oversight & Evaluation Committee establishes goals for the Rabbi, evaluates the job performance of the Rabbi, solicits and receives feedback on the Rabbi's job performance, and recommends to the Coordinating Committee whether the Rabbi should be offered renewal of the Rabbi's contract and the terms of the renewal. They can be reached at roec@chevreitzedek.org.
Coordinators/Administrators/Etc.
B'nei Mitzvah Coordinators develop policies and procedures and coordinates activities relating to bar and bat mitzvahs and the B'nei Mitzvah Chug (group).
Cemetery Advisory Board oversees the Chevrei Tzedek cemetery and is the liaison with the Jewish Cemetery Association.
Kiddush Coordinator coordinates members to sponsor kiddushes and maintains supplies and equipment.
Communications Related
Chief Information Officer manages the Google Workspace suite and other tech infrastructure
Social Media Administrators manage and moderate the public facing Facebook page, the Facebook Bulletin Board, and Instagram accounts
Webmasters maintain the congregation's website and online calendar
Weekly editors create and send weekly messages and other updates and information to the congregation.
Ritual Related
Coordinator of Daveners schedules people to be service leaders for Shabbat and Holiday services
Coordinator of Divrei Torah schedules people to lead discussions or give a short teaching, usually related to the Torah portion
Coordinator of Torah/Haftarah readers schedules people to read Torah and Haftarah at Shabbat and holiday services.
Yahrtzeit Coordinator collects yahrtzeit dates of loved ones and sends reminders about when to say Kaddish; the coordinator informs the weekly and the coordinator of Daveners of the yahrtzeits for the upcoming week.
High Holy Day Related
High Holy Days coordinators organize and coordinates Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur services and tickets
Yizkor book administrator collects and compiles readings and memorials for the Yizkor book