Committees

Please see below for descriptions of PBJC's committees.

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Chair: Sandy Gonzalez and Carol Kotch

The Caring Committee provides assistance to our friends and fellow congregants in need and we need your help. Examples of the types of assistance we provide include:

*Delivering Shabbat meals.

*Providing needed rides to doctors’ appointments.

*Shopping for those who can’t get out or picking up and delivering a prescription.

*Setting up a house for shiva.

*Keeping someone company or calling someone who would appreciate the companionship.

Please remember to let the PBJC office know if someone could use our help. We would like to know about illnesses, accidents, hospitalizations, births and deaths in our community. We want to be there for our fellow congregants in their time of need or happiness. Each of us can be part of our conduit. If you find out about any of the events that were mentioned above, please let the office know. We will then take the necessary action to respond to the event. Remember, you are our eyes and ears.

Chairs: Abby Edelman, Randi Friedman, Jamie Kideckel and Ali Wise

The Community Outreach Committee began with a simple mission: to provide living necessities to those with a defined psychiatric illness who are clients of the Mental Health Association of Essex and Morris Counties. Since its inception, the committee has provided beds, mattresses, bedding, tables, chairs, rugs, microwave ovens, etc for individuals who were placed in apartments or group homes by the Mental Health Association of Essex and Morris Counties (MHA). In addition, we established a food pantry for the clients (consumers) at the MHA. We also have worked with the New Jersey Council for Jewish Women, to provide the resources to purchase clothing and sneakers for 40 children who were living in shelters maintained by Homeless Solutions. We also have provided first class Thanksgiving dinners for over 100 guests, which were served by members of the committee.

This committee continues to thrive under the leadership of a Board of Directors comprised of dedicated young adults who receive guidance from the committee chairs. The committee now provides resources for the clothing of children living in shelters as well as supporting nourish.NJ.

Chair: Gillian Zachary

The Early Childhood Center (ECC) committee works with our ECC Directors on executing the mission and goals of our wonderful early childhood program, which includes the PBJC Preschool, Giggle Zone Day Care, and PBJC Day Camp. The committee reviews the budget, policies, and rules and regulations for the administration of the ECC, oversees operations, engages in long-term planning and reports to the Board of Trustees.The committee meets throughout the year to allow parents to discuss ways to further enhance the program.

Chair: Jodi Benson and Susan Kantor

The Fundraising Committee is responsible for conducting such fundraising activities as may be required to support Congregation projects and special projects. The Fundraising Committee works to raise funds for PBJC projects and special programs. A large gala type fundraiser is held every few years that brings our entire community together for a night of celebration to raise important funds for the synagogue. The committee will also run smaller events such as bowling nights, theme parties, dances, and more.

Chair: Aili Monahan

The Legal Committee is convened as necessary to oversee legal matters for the synagogue. The committee meets during contract negotiations and when needed to deal with any legal matters pertinent to PBJC. The Legal Committee is also responsible for interpreting and updating the Constitution and By-Laws.

Chairs: Louis Schwartz and Jen Abfier

The Community Soup Kitchen & Outreach Center is now known as nourish.NJ. The name was changed to better reflect the full scope of services they provide. Besides serving meals, they also provide a free farmer’s market, offer mental and physical health services, legal and immigration assistance, job search help, and secure housing assistance.

For more than 25 years, PBJC has served as a member congregation of this organization, taking responsibility for donating food and serving lunch whenever there is a fifth Sunday of a month. Volunteers are no longer needed to regularly serve meals. However, we continue to help nourish.NJ with donations of non-perishable food items as well as with monetary donations so the organization can continue to provide much needed services and supplies to the community in need.

We look forward to continuing our relationship with nourish.NJ as the organization grows and evolves. We will see how we can best support the organization and the people it serves. Thank you for your continued support.

Chair: Erica Paris

The Public Relations and Social Media Committee is responsible for the promotion and publicity of PBJC events and activities, both to members and the greater community, including through the use of social media. They will also help create press releases for local media as appropriate for various events.

Chairs: Jonathan Cohen and Evan Neadel

The Ritual Committee is responsible for the conduct (but not the content) of all religious services of the Congregation, including, but not limited to, weddings, B’nai Mitzvah, and funerals. It shall offer the Rabbi advice and guidance regarding the character, conduct, and mode of the various services. The committee, with the Rabbi's guidance, maintains the rules of Kashrut for all Congregational activities. The Ritual Committee is responsible for conducting an annual review of Clergy, to present to the Board. The committee also organizes and plans High Holy Day services each year and works diligently throughout the year to help ensure the spiritual needs of our entire congregation are met.

Chair: Jack Wenarsky

The Security Committee works to ensure the safety and security of our Congregation and works with private security and local, County, State and Federal law enforcement as necessary to ensure such safety and security.