[Original size] NVHC Annual Financial Report · 2018. 8. 30. · NVHC ANNUAL REPORT / PAGE 2 C ha v...

ANNUALREPORT

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2018 ANNUAL REPORT

NVHC ANNUAL REPORT / PAGE 1

Dear NVHC Family,

When we adopted the Mission/Vision statement in November 2016, together with theBoard and other key leaders, we articulated our aspirations for this Jewish community.Turning that goal into a reality is a daily labor of love, as we think through each program,service, class, meeting, and interaction.

We are extremely proud of this community. It is not easy being Jewish in 2018 America:distractions surround us, our schedules are stretched thin, we no longer live in naturalcommunities, Judaism is a foreign language to many in our community, and modernitydistances us from religious living. Despite these hurdles, NVHC members consistentlyapproach us eager for more learning, deeper spirituality, opportunities to do good forothers, and a chance to help repair our corner of the world. NVHC commits itself towelcoming all backgrounds and abilities, providing safe space for personal growth, andchallenging each other to become better human beings.

The pages of this annual report describe some of the ways we have worked to make ourMission/Vision into a reality. Each section includes specific moments that illustrate thethree parts of our vision. In addition, in 5778, our Strategic Planning Task Force completeda Strategic Plan with five elements, to guide our work for the next 3-5 years. Thus, in eachsection, we have identified areas where the plan for the future overlaps with ongoing work.

Our tradition teaches “When two people share words of Torah between them, then God’spresence rests between them” (Pirke Avot 3:3). In this same way, we hope that when we dothings together, whether we literally share words of Torah, or if we figuratively share Torahthrough songs, prayers, jokes, classes, mah-jongg, acts of kindness, travel itineraries,social justice, or the work of building community, God’s presence rests between us. That isour aspiration, and by doing that, we create “A Spiritual Home, where we Connect throughCommunity to Judaism that Matters.”

L’shalom (In Peace),

Rabbi Michael Holzman Cantor Susan Caro Rabbi Jessica Wainer


Chaverim (Friends), I am proud to share with you NVHC’s first ever annual report. It provides an important opportunity tosummarize our community’s accomplishments over the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018, and to look forwardto the coming year. You may be aware of much of what NVHC does, but this report probably says somethingthat you did not know, so keep reading! We started this year facing daunting challenges in governance, funding, and member engagement. But ourclergy, staff, lay leaders, and most importantly you, our dedicated members, remain committed to overcomingthose challenges because we share a connection to each other and a commitment to sustaining ourcommunity, or a covenant. As our mission statement says: NVHC is our spiritual home where we connectthrough community to Judaism that matters. Our financial results for fiscal year 2018 were better than expected, finishing the year with no deficit for thefirst time since fiscal year 2014. We achieved this with strong member response to last year’s requestedincrease in annual giving, fundraising that exceeded budget, and careful management to keep most expensesunder budget. Also, as explained at the Congregational Meeting, we used our Preschool Strategic Reserve tooffset losses due to low enrollment, a challenge addressed in our budget for the coming year. This report details many of our accomplishments as a congregation. In addition, our governance team: • Engaged the National Commission on Rabbinical Congregational Relationships (NCRCR) to strengthencollaboration between clergy and lay leaders. • Finalized a new 5-year contract with Rabbi Holzman, including mutual commitments to address governance,performance review, conflict resolution, and sabbatical leave. • Created our Personnel Task Force to develop a personnel handbook and new performance review process. • Launched a Governance Task Force, which drafted a Board Covenant of Service and continues to improve ourgovernance processes and roles. • Completed our congregational strategic plan under the leadership of our Strategic Planning Task Force. • Successfully completed a search for our new Temple Administrator, David Markovich. We still have much to do, guided by our mission and vision statement, strategy, shared love for NVHC, andJewish values. For the coming year, we will engage in a variety of discussions about the meaning of terms like“community,” “membership,” “belonging,” and “covenant.” We need to hear your voice, so please share yourthoughts. As you read this report, I especially encourage you to look for opportunities to engage with othermembers, participate in our programs, and offer your time and talents as a volunteer or leader. Please alsotake a moment to review the page in this report that describes several ways that you can provide philanthropicsupport to NVHC. Thank you for being part of our community, by attending, engaging, volunteering, leading, and supporting us inso many ways. L’shalom (In Peace), Andy Cohen


Spiritual Home

For our second year, we gathered for the High Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippurin our own building. We expanded the experience by using Mishkah HaNefesh, an inspiringset of new High Holy Day prayerbooks, for the first time. Rather than find space elsewhere,we worshipped on those days in the same space where we name our babies, celebrate B’naiMitzvah, commemorate Yahrzeit, and learn Torah all year round. The quintessential celebration of Home in the United States is the holiday of Thanksgiving,so on the preceding weekend we celebrated with Yom Hodu, our Gratitude Shabbat.Members of all ages joined together to recognize life’s blessings, with prayers ofShehecheyanu, study texts, and the making of Gratitude Boxes that would transformgratitude into tzedakah. We continued the new tradition of last year’s ‘50 Shabbat Dinners’ with our night of ‘SharedShabbat Dinners’ in early January. By welcoming each other into our homes, we extend our“Spiritual Home” and deepen our relationships. Again these celebrations created newfriendships even amongst longtime members.

A tabernacle. A sanctuary where we laugh, cry, study, pray, question, provide spiritual support, and hold each other with loving kindness. An open door for the

seeker or the explorer, the lonely or the hungry. A safe place where variedindividuals, all created in the image of God, discover different ways to encounter

meaning and something greater than ourselves.

High Holy Days @ NVHC

Hermanuv Mestec

Yom Hodu

Shared Shabbat

Torah is the hearth around which a Jewish spiritualhome is built. This year, we commemorated thejourney of our Holocaust Torah from its Czech

origins to its home in the ark of our sanctuary. Welearned about the history and modern life of the

Czech Jewish community, inviting two of ourstudents to become B’not Mitzvah as they chanted

from that scroll. We honored the memory of theCzech Jews who perished in the Holocaust and

invited a survivor to share memories with the KehillatLimmud community.


Governance Membership Engagement and Recruitment Membership Model Pastoral Care B’nai Mitzvah

Strategic Plan: Spiritual Home Initiatives

Create a structure for leadership and planning that protects the long-termsustainability of our home.

Intentional programs to open our home by welcoming each other; investingin accessibility; and inviting participation, relationship, volunteering andleadership.

A home is a covenant, and we aim to transform “membership” into acovenantal relationship, where belonging to this community reflects thecare we give to each other.

Responsibilities for care are clearly defined and shared across all themembers of the home (congregants and staff) appropriately.

Examining how the community can feel at home at the Bar/Bat Mitzvah, andthe Bar/Bat Mitzvah family can feel at home in the community so that weremain in relationship on that day and for the long-term.

"NVHC embodies the idea that Torah connects us to thegenerations of Jews who came before us- on whoseshoulders we all stand...."{anonymous congregant,

Shavuot 5778}


Connect through Community

We designed a system to create new connections and hear new voices from thecommunity, through “Coffee Connections,” which attracted over 64 volunteers—hosts,facilitators, organizers and data miners—who invited every NVHC member to come tosomeone’s home, and have a conversation about the meaning of NVHC in our lives. Over197 members participated, and we heard your feedback. The responses clarified thevarious ways this synagogue matters to individuals and families, got us thinking aboutnew ways of strengthening those connections in the future, and were used for inspirationin the implementation of the Strategic Plan. In addition to our ongoing clergy pastoral care, and as part of NVHC Cares, which reachesout with calls, cards or food in times of need, this year we added our Chaverim (Friends)program that trains lay-leader pastoral care volunteers to do simple visits with ourhomebound members struggling with long-term illness.

Connecting: Relating. Joining. Sharing stories of what matters most and what inspires us.Forming covenantal and binding relationships through shared moments of vulnerability,joy, fear, and hope. Ensuring that all feel welcomed, cherished, included and supported.

Through Community: A village. A tribe called Israel with an eternal story linkinggenerations. A point within the constellation of Jewish communities around the world, all

responsible for one another. A people striving to uphold Jewish values that promote peaceand security for the State of Israel and all its inhabitants.

Chavurot (Friendship Groups) and Shabbat

Coffee Connections

Chaverim

Our Chavurah program was reignited, and we nowhave over 150 members participating in over20 Chavurot (small groups of families who gatherperiodically to socialize, share Jewish holidays andform lasting relationships). Some of our Chavurotliterally span decades and generations, and wewelcomed their participation in programs at thesynagogue like the BYOSHD (Bring Your OwnShabbat Dinners) or the Hamentaschen Bake-off.


NVHC is a known leader in the interfaith social justice community and in the process wehave learned the tools of community organizing: forming relationships, discoveringcommon interest, elevating leadership and taking action. In 5778, our VOICE Core Teamrebooted and has begun to apply those skills within the NVHC community, to listen deeplyto each other and build the trusting relationships that become a springboard for activism.

A Stronger VOICE Core Team

Traveling to Israel

Teens: Tamid, NFTY and our New York TripThis year our Tuesday night Tamid program experimented with a new format, buildingon the success of 5777, and asking the teens to step up as co-creators of theirexperience. We have seen new leaders emerge and new ideas engage teens inparticipation. Two of the most exciting signs of success were: Our first-ever teen tripto New York, which attracted 22 teens, who spent 3 days and 2 nights in the city, andour increased enrollment in weekend NFTY weekends and Reform Movement SummerPrograms.

Nothing brings people closer together thantravel, especially a trip to Israel. This year,

50 members of our community visited sitesin Tel Aviv, along the coast, in the Galileeand Golan, at Masada and the Dead Sea,and, of course, in Jerusalem. We enjoyed

celebrating three b’nai mitzvah, forming newfriendships and eating a lot of hummus.



Strategic Plan: Connect throughCommunity Initiatives

Evaluate existing models of committees, task forces and the Board to findways to invite more members to connect as leaders.

Investing in staff and lay leadership to improve communications andconnections. Redesigning spaces for member schmoozing and connecting within ourbuilding.

Invite the entire community to connect through a series of conversationsabout how we commit to annual support of this institution.

Establish a clergy/lay partnership to promote connections that supportmembers in times of pastoral need and celebration.

Create a set of alternative pathways that enable NVHC to connect with allchildren, teens and families during and after the B’nai Mitzvah.


Judaism that MattersJudaism: An inspiration. A call. An innovative tradition expressed through text, prayer,

music, design, art, dance, humor, and culture. An experience of mystery and majesty thatconnects us to others, comforts those in need, challenges our intellect, nourishes our

souls, speaks for the powerless, and fosters spiritual curiosity. That matters: Relevant. Active. Integrated into everything we do to help us achieve our

best selves and heal our corner of the world. United in a sense of purpose andempowerment. Giving back through deeds, philanthropy, and advocacy. Celebrating

religious, social and intellectual tolerance, respect, and diversity.

Preschool: Seder and Grandparents ShabbatWe begin introducing Judaism with our youngest members. From saying the motzi(prayer over bread) to singing Shabbat songs with Morah Nell, we are laying agroundwork that can flow from school to the home so that Judaism and its ritualsbecome a part of who they are in a holistic way. At our family Seder, the children learnage-appropriate Haggadot and then lead different parts--even the youngest who open thedoor for Elijah. Grandparents’ Shabbat invites family from all over the country tocelebrate with us, and to share memories about Shabbat or holidays they spent with theirgrandparents. Preschool connects the past with the future, living out the value of L’dorVador (from generation to generation), and ensuring the future of Judaism and ourpeople.


This past winter, our Kehillat Limmud families honored of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.through Yom Avodat HaKodesh (a day of sacred service learning). We participated in aspecial social action themed tefillah (service), learned and studied how Jacob respondedto God with, Hineini (I am right here) and the Israelites said to Moses, “We will do and wewill listen!” Then each family chose an issue that was important to them on either a local,state or federal level, and wrote letters of civic engagement.

Yom Avodat HaKodesh

When we invite students to the bimah as B’nai Mitzvah, we aim to build a lifelong homeamong the Jewish people. Therefore, in addition to focusing on the accomplishment forthe individual, we study and prepare in a group learning experience, with slightly olderpeers, and classmates experiencing this rite of passage together. Torah learning is layeredwith meaningful relationship building and deepening connection to Jewish life.

Torah Corps

The center of Jewish living is, of course, Shabbat. Each week we celebrate as acommunity, ending our week, sharing hopes, praying for healing, and marking each other’ss’machot - the joys of life. We create an environment for spiritual exploration and Jewishlearning that begins on Shabbat, and extends for the rest of the week with a range of adulteducation classes, speakers, and seminars. We have dinner groups, book clubs, supportgroups and Mahjongg. In 5778, as we mourned for those who have passed, we also sawnew faces in our clergy-led classes, our choir, Brotherhood and Sisterhood, Silver Line andpocket of the community.

Adult Jewish Life

“When I am sitting in a service, eyes closed, listening towhat is going on around me, I feel connected to God and

Judaism through prayer, even if I am not saying the exactwords in the book.” {Joe Shapiro, Confirmation 5778}


One of the hardest ways to connect in 2018 America is to build relationships across linesof political difference. We usually hide our opinions about public policy, but this leavessome of our most important feelings unspoken even within our community. We aspire forour community connections to be strong enough to bear these differences. After thetragic shooting in Parkland, Florida, a number of members wanted to take action, but weknew that we had individuals with opinions on all “sides” of this complicated issue. So, inaddition to supporting the teens organizing for the March for Our Lives on March 24, weheld a community conversation about Gun Violence that was explicitly marketed anddesigned to be welcoming to all political backgrounds. This is a sensitive topic, and wewere proud to see people speaking honestly and passionately about their beliefs, and evenmore proud to see everyone listening with respect even while disagreeing.

Social Action

Community Conversation about Gun Violence

NVHC has a proud tradition of SocialAction programming. We built upon our

ongoing support for Cornerstones, ForestEdge Elementary School, and the

Hypothermia Shelter, to create the TikkunOlam Campaign which raised over

$32,000 (at the time of this printing) forthese and other worthy organizations.

We also strengthened our VOICE(Virginians Organized for Interfaith

Community Engagement) Core Team,and helped lead the largest non-partisan

gathering of the entire 2017 VirginiaGubernatorial election (1565 people).This enabled us to make sure Virginiafunding for Metro did not dramatically

cut worker pay, and helped advance ouragenda for changing the state felony

level (at $250 the lowest in the country)and improving our public schools.



Strategic Plan: Judaism that MattersInitiatives

Align decision making and financial processes to support this strategic planand a congregational mission promoting Judaism that Matters.

Reorganizing our programs for better coordination and best practices forwelcoming all participants to engage in Judaism that Matters.

Evaluate fee structures for specific Judaism content areas like KehillatLimmud, Tamid, and Preschool. Begin strategic fundraising beyond annual giving to support long range plansand aspirations for Judaism that Matters.

Explore partnerships that enableNVHC to expand support in waysand at times that matter.

Create a B’nai Mitzvah advisory group to ensure the learning, community andritual matter in the lives of the families that experience it. Invest in ways to focus more clergy attention on the Judaism that mattersand less on the administration of the process.


NVHC Fiscal Year 2018 Income and Expenses

1


Philanthropy at NVHCAnnual Giving: The heart of our philanthropic giving at NVHC, representing over half of our annualincome, includes Fair Share Dues, Building Fund, and Capital Budget Assessment gifts that memberspledge each summer after receiving information about the amount necessary to sustain ourcommunity. High Holy Day Appeal: We ask members to consider an additional gift as we approach the Days ofAwe (Yamim Noraim) starting with Rosh Hashanah and ending with Yom Kippur. HaYesod (“The Foundation”) and Community Sponsors: Recognizes members who make a 3 yearpledge of $1,800 per year or more above their Annual Giving. HaYesod also sponsors speakers anddiscussions once or twice a year about the changing nature of Jewish community in the 21stCentury. Donor Designated Contributions: Gifts directed by donors to funds designated for a variety ofpurposes. Often, these gifts celebrate a life cycle milestone or honor a yahrzeit. With a significantseed gift, a fund may be named in honor or memory of family members of our community. NVHCDesignated Funds are listed on the Give page of our website. Targeted Donations: Members may make gifts to address specific needs identified by the Board ofTrustees. Recent projects include purchase of Mishkan HaNefesh (our new High Holy Day prayerbook), the bima riser, equipment for streaming services, and the restoration of our Torah scrolls. The Tikkun Olam Campaign: Consolidates member giving to external organizations (Cornerstones,VOICE, HIAS, etc.) allowing NVHC to be recognized as a leader in the local not-for-profit community.All members of NVHC are invited to participate in the Social Action Committee to decide how toallocate the funds collected each year through this campaign. Planned Giving: Gifts from retirement funds, such as to fulfill Required Minimum Distributions, orthrough bequests and estate planning. Endowment Support: Members are encouraged to support our Sam Selden and Donna DixonMemorial Restricted Endowment Fund for NVHC Jewish Youth and Community Development, and wewelcome interest in establishing additional endowments to support our community in other ways. Capital Campaign: Our last capital campaign was about 20 years ago, and we anticipate a futurecampaign to address some combination of strategic needs. We welcome early expressions ofinterest that can be the basis for launching our next campaign.


Auxiliaries, Committees, and Task Forces

Brotherhood Bob Fenster

Caring (NVHC Cares) Laurie Levine

Chavurot Karen Singer

Chevrah Kadisha Michael Brody

College Outreach Judy Naiman

Inclusion Initiative Rabbi Wainer

Member Engagement Miriam Wolman

Silver Line Marsha Sheinman

Sisterhood Fay Gubin

Social Action (NVHC Change) Ellen Ranard

Adult Choir - Kol Shirah Cantor Susan Caro

Youth Choir - Shireinu (3rd-6th) Cantor Susan Caro

High Holidays Bruce Johnson

Shammas Corps Ken and Kathy Laskey

Worship Susan Trivers

Lifelong Learning

Ellen Rugel Early Childhood & Preschool

Regina Krasner Youth Education & Engagement

Ariana Raines Ruth Ann Whalen Speaker Series

Eric Forman Library

Ted Smith

Art Nancy Kruger

Building and Grounds Open

Communications Open

Finance Lynne Groff and Judy Naiman

Governance Ellen Ranard

Judaica Shop Shawn Harris

Personnel Risa May

Pulpit Hana Newcomb

Safety and Security Ken Laskey

Strategic Development Sam Schwall

Technology Committee Bruce Johnson

Engagement and Pastoral

Worship and Music

Education

Administration and Governance

Clergy & StaffRabbi Michael G. Holzman

Cantor Susan L. Caro

Rabbi Jessica B. Wainer

Rabbi Rosalind Gold, Emerita

David Markovich

Cindi Drake

Emily Hummel

Mozelle Stanton

Offer Pending

Linda Klinker

Senior Rabbi President

Vice President, Administration

Vice President, Programming and Committees

Vice President, Membership

Treasurer

Cantor

Rabbi, Director of Congregational Learning

Rabbi Emerita

Temple Administrator

Director of Early Childhood Education

Education Administrative Assistant Communications Coordinator

Administrative Assistant

Youth Engagement Coordinator

Bookkeeper

Board of TrusteesAndrew Cohen

Don Hirsch

Risa May

Miriam Wolman

Stuart Dornfeld

Ellen Rugel

Rachel Coelho Gail Dezube

Eric Eisenstadt Bob Fenster

Al Groff Ken Laskey Ana Leirner

Laurie Levine Jessica Peristere

Ariana Raines Sam Schwall

Alexandra Sleeper Ruth Ann Whalen

Samantha Wiegand

Secretary

Temple Presidents

2017-2018 Andrew Cohen 2017 Kay Menchel 2015-2016 David Selden 2013-2014 Nancy Kruger 2011-2012 Andrew Lacher 2010 Stuart Williger 2008-2009 Hana Newcomb 2006-2007 Don Hirsch 2004-2005 Lynne Groff 2002-2003 Larry Schwartz

2000-2001 Ken Gubin 1997-1999 David Pinansky 1994-1996 David Fram 1993 Deborah Simmons * 1989-1992 Sue Sailer 1987-1988 Bert Berlin 1986 Martin Lefcowitz 1985 Burgess Levin 1983-1984 Theodore Smith 1980-1982 Stuart Patz

1979-1980 Eric Forman 1977-1979 David Heymsfeld 1975-1977 Florence Frey 1974-1975 Robert Gardner 1972-1974 Robert Amdur 1971-1972 Stephen Benson 1970-1971 Stanley Nissel * 1969-1970 Martin Held * 1968-1969 Robert Brandon 1967-1968 Lester Levin 1966-1967 David Feldman

* of blessed memory

[Original size] NVHC Annual Financial Report · 2018. 8. 30. · NVHC ANNUAL REPORT / PAGE 2 C ha v...

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