Committees

The Adult Education Committee plans, publicizes, and facilitates opportunities for Jewish learning for our adult members.  Rabbi; Cantor Geller; our Educational Director, Jill Epstein; and others in the community teach courses on topics such as "Genesis", "Torah Reading", "Women's Rituals" and others.  We also plan individual lectures of interest on Jewish topics.  Additionally, the Committee sponsors an annual Scholar-in-Residence Shabbat.  We welcome members who wish to join the committee as well as teach or help organize programs.

A Chavurah (Hebrew for friends) is a group of congregants that have some interest in common and get together on a regular basis.  Typical activities might include break-the-fast after Yom Kippur or a picnic at Lake Needwood.  Many Chavurot have started with new members as a great way to meet people in the congregation and become friends.  It can also make families more comfortable participating in synagogue activities and attending services with people they know.    We are always looking to start new Chavurot for people who would like to make new friends at BSO.

The B’nai Shalom of Olney Religious School Committee is a proactive group whose goal is to ensure that the school program is consistent with its stated mission. The Committee will consult with educational professionals to frame school policy and educational curriculum. The committee will support and advise the Educational Director and promote the school’s interest and reputation, both within the synagogue and the surrounding community.

To address/supplement the needs of congregants 55 and older by providing the opportunity for such congregants to have fuller programs of social, spiritual, educational and cultural activities as well as to permit such congregants to interact with other HAZAK chapters on a local, regional and, eventually, national basis.

The mission of the Land and Building Committee is to plan and execute physical changes to our property.  This ranges from landscaping to building expansion and remodeling.  The committee currently is involved with the expansion project which will end this calendar year.  The Committee is convened by the Board of Trustees when needed.  The committee will continue to meet after the current building expansion is complete in order to consider long range plans and to consider aesthetic issues with our building and grounds.

Established, organizes, maintains and distributes books and periodicals on a wide range of Jewish subjects and makes books and periodicals available to congregation members; orders new materials; removed outdated books and maintains an accurate inventory.

To seek out new arrivals to the community, as well as residents who are not affiliated with any synagogue: to acquaint them with the various aspects of the synagogue program, and with the synagogue’s particular approach to Conservative Judaism; and to extend them a warm welcome to the synagogue and an invitation to join.  To present to new members appropriate documentation of membership including a statement of the purposes of synagogue membership and a gift to mark their formal association with the synagogue.   To maintain an ongoing program of education that is designed to encourage personal participation by all members in the synagogue, and to foster a feeling of genuine warmth in the synagogue as a second home and family.

The role of the Religious Committee is to enhance worship at B’nai Shalom of Olney.  The Committee, working with the Rabbi and Cantor also tries to provide the most spiritually satisfying service for the broadest population of B’nai Shalom of Olney congregants while remaining committed to our Conservative Jewish traditions.  Some of the issues that the Committee has recently been involved with includes:  Double B’nai Mitzvah ceremony, coordination of the B’nai Mitzvah tutoring program, providing shiva minyanim for congregants, training lay people to lead services,  introducing instrumental music at Friday evening services and holiday services,  providing a Gan Shabbat program for children in kindergarden through 2nd grade, providing babysitting on shabbat and holidays, coordinating high holiday services, and offering a family service on the high holidays.

The events of 911 have raised our country to a new level of security awareness.  Our Federal, State, and local governments have synchronized alert codes that let us know the severity of possible terrorist activities.  There has been much discussion and activity on how we should prepare at home.  We also need to be prepared at B'nai Shalom of Olney.

A sub-committee of the House Committee will be forming to address security issues at the synagogue.  The task of the committee will be to evaluate the security risks and then determine which are of the greatest impact.  We will need to take into consideration the risks and the costs and benefits of the solutions to them.  Once we have gone through this process, we will make recommendations to the Board of Trustees on how to lessen the risks.

Please contact Ezra Schneider in the evenings at 301-926-8632 or by email at EzraSchneider@Westat.com if you have some expertise and/or interest in helping review our security needs.

To carry out the mission of fulfillment of mitzvot through direct service, education about Jewish tradition and community issues, and advocacy.

Endeavor to remove barriers of architecture, communications and attitudes that encourage people with all levels of ability and disability to practice Judaism and use their gifts in worship, study, service, leadership and social interactions.

BSO already plans to include structural changes while updating the existing building to allow easier access to all areas for those with limited mobility.  In addition we will upgrade lighting and sound enhancement systems in the sanctuary and provide ramp access to the bimah.

• To reach out to a broad youth population, creatively engaging and empowering Jewish youth through personal interactions and compelling programming.
• To strengthen and expand BSO’s USY program.
• To make Kadimah a signature program and a feeder to USY.
• To foster a strong sense of belonging and Jewish identity.
• To develop a connection to Conservative Judaism.
• To nurture spiritual expression and growth.
• To encourage participants to explore and grow Jewishly.
• To encourage a connection to and passion for Israel and the Israeli people. 
• To build a warm and welcoming community for all participants, both in the synagogue and throughout the community. 
• To support leadership development and participation in regional and national leadership programs.