A meeting of the Ritual Committee of the Library Minyan of Temple Beth Am was held on October 29, 2003 at the home of Robert Braun beginning at 7:30 pm. In attendance were the following individuals:
Jonathan Friedman
Rachel Green
Sandra Braun
Robert Braun
Scott Taryle
Paul Nisenbaum
Mitch Miller
Steve Spronz
Avi Havivi
Cathy Lippman
Shaya Kass
Norm Levin
Robert Braun called the meeting to order and acted as Chair of the meeting. He began with a short D’var Torah, after which the following matters were discussed:
Mitch Miller presented a proposal to add a prayer for members of the United States military serving abroad to be added to the Minyan’s regular prayers. Mitch presented two versions. One is a Prayer for the American Armed Forces which has been used in the past during times of armed conflict. The second, shorter proposal was taken from the Jewish Welfare Board prayerbook for service personnel. The participants discussed the advisability, timing and text of the addition, and whether it should become a permanent part of services, or only during times when United States military personnel are clearly in active armed conflict.
After further discussion, the Ritual Committee resolved to recommend to the Library Minyan as a whole that the following prayer be added to the existing prayer for the country:
We beseech You, O God, to shield and protect our armed forces, in the air, on sea and on land. May it be Your will that the dominion of tyranny and cruelty speedily be brought to an end and the kingdom of righteousness be established on earth with liberty and freedom for all mankind. Amen.
It was suggested that if adopted, a laminated copy be kept at the bimah, and that inserts be made available to all attendees at Minyan services.
Paul Nisenbaum presented the proposal to add a prayer for members of Israel’s armed forces to our daily prayers. After discussion, it was determined that the existing Prayer for Israel contained in Siddur Sim Shalom and read in the Synagogue each Shabbat directly addressed the issue and that no additional prayer was required. It was, however, recommended that the Kahal be reminded that the Prayer for Israel does encompass the safety and well-being of Israel armed forces, and that we should keep this in mind when praying.
Shaya Kass presented a proposal regarding the Minyan’s position regarding the presence of young children on the Bimah. The Committee reiterated the desire of the Minyan to encourage attendance by families, including children, and determined that no change in the Minyan’s present policy was required. The Committee reiterated the Minyan’s existing policy:
Bob Braun presented the question of whether videotaping of simchot will be allowed in the Minyan on Shabbat and Chagim. It was noted that Steve Spronz had submitted a separate proposal. Steve also showed a short segment of his son’s Bar Mitzvah which was recently recorded. The segment showed the area from the bimah furthest from the ark to the entire ark, the area between the seats facing toward the center of the Chapel, and the two or three seats closest to the ark.
Each of the committee members present had an opportunity to speak and individuals on the committee raised the following issues (in neither order of presentation or importance):
After further discussion, the Committee determined that it was unable to propose a recommendation to the Minyan as a whole. Instead, it was the sense of the Committee that a full discussion and vote by the entire Kahal was necessary. It was anticipated that the matter would be discussed at the November 9 meeting, to be followed by an email discussion, and a mail-in vote prior to Chanukah.
Avi Havivi and Sandra Braun presented proposed guidelines to assist families celebrating b’nai mitzvot at the Minyan. The Committee reviewed and, with changes noted in the guidelines, unanimously adopted the guidelines. The guidelines are to be provided to the Temple to give to families when their simchot are scheduled for the Library Minyan. Because the guidelines are limited to implementing existing policies (whether at the Synagogue level or at the Minyan), it was determined that no further action was required.
It was noted that certain members had complained about the lack of decorum, ranging from excessive talking during services to inappropriate dress. It was the consensus of the Committee that existing policies adequately covered the matter, but that all members are encouraged to remind their friends and neighbors of the goal of creating a prayer-friendly environment.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:15 pm.