Engagement Opportunities

Temple Emanu-El is pleased to offer you the opportunity to become more involved at your temple!
If you have the time and the willingness, consider becoming a part of one of the following committees or activities and share your talents with us.  

• Adult Education Committee: offers cultural and religious oriented programs, classes, and movies designed to entertain, enrich, and expand your horizons. Adult Education programs offer members access to a wide variety of stimulating programs and challenging lectures. Committee Co-Chairs: Sharon Miles and Sara Weinberg.
• Art Committee: plans art excursions to local art venues and coordinates art shows featuring Temple Emanu-El members’ personally created artwork. Committee Co-Chairs: Linda Joffe and Helene Davis.
• Beautification Committee: assists with beautification projects around Temple Emanu-El. Committee Co-Chairs: Gloria Weed and Judy Fleischer.
• Brotherhood:  Brotherhood participates in a wide variety of service activities and sponsors social and learning programs throughout the year. Our programs promote fellowship with other temple men. Proceeds from fundraising activities benefit Temple Emanu-El and it's community. Brotherhood President: Ken Simon.
• Bulletin Committee: meets monthly to edit and electronically correct all material submitted for the Temple Times publication. Temple Times Editor: Dr. Eleanor Wachs.
• Caring Committee: helps congregants in need of phone calls, rides, visitation, and comfort. Committee Chair: Dr. Joni Steinberg.
• Choir (Volunteer): sings for the volunteer choir at some Temple Emanu-El Shabbat services and events. Contact: Kathy Rance
• Endowment Committee: seeks to obtain donations as well as planned gifts which are payable to the Endowment Fund upon the death of the donor. Committee Chair: Doris Ross.
• Gift Shop: assists customers and completes sales transactions in the gift shop before and after Friday night services and special events held at Temple Emanu-El. Gift Shop Manager: Alice Cotman.
• Greeter: assists at Friday Shabbat services by greeting members as they enter Temple Emanu-El for services, distributing programs, helping people with seating (as needed), signing in members and guests, and attending the oneg to help make guests feel welcome. Contact: Kim Sheintal
• Havurah: encourages Temple Emanu-El members to have small social groups based on a common interest. Contacts: Andi Lieberman and Nikki Queen.  
• House and Grounds Committee: meets with Facilities Coordinator and Executive Director to help with planning for the care of the campus. Committee Chair: Dr. Hal Alterman.  
• Information Technology (aka IT) Committee: assists with general technology projects. Committee Chair: Jeffrey Kessler  
• Israel Committee: coordinates programs to learn about Israel, celebrate Israel, and support Israel. Committee Chair: Nina Levitt.
• Jewish Story Writing Group: writes stories that help shape your identity as a Jew. Contact: Barbara Field.
• Knitting: knits with other members. Contact: Lori Klein.
• Library: assists with in-take of new books and in keeping the Temple Emanu-El Opher Library organized. Contact: Roz Lieberman or Cindy Aminoff.
• Membership Committee: welcomes new members by preparing materials/events/communication geared for developing practices/events/programs that enhance the membership experience via the volunteer program, neighborhood ambassadors, greeters, social gatherings, and outreach. Committee Co-Chairs: Leslie Podolsky and Kim Sheintal. 
• Mitzvah Baking: assists in providing baked goods mainly for Lunch with the Rabbis or other special requests by the rabbis. Contact: Kary Wortman.
• Mitzvah Day Committee: plans Temple Emanu-El’s annual Mitzvah Day, an afternoon of hands-on community service projects and donation drives to make a difference in our community and our world. Opportunities abound for all levels of involvement. Committee Chair: Rabbi Elaine Rose Glickman.  
• Neighborhood Ambassador: finds members to host zip code gatherings for Temple Emanu-El members living in their zip code. Contact: Kim Sheintal.
• Office Support: assists with mailings, clerical tasks, makes phone call reminders to congregants and/or answers the phones. Contact: Office Administrator, Bonnie Clarke.   
• Purim Spiel: performs in the Purim play at the Shabbat during Purim. Contact: Kathy Rance.
• Religious School: supports the Religious School staff by working with children during activities and projects. Contact: Religious School Director, Snait Ben-Herut.
• Shomer: helps support the wellbeing of Temple Emanu-El members at Shabbat services, events, and around campus. Contact: Ray Pendleton.
• Sisterhood: participates in a wide variety of service, social and learning activities, and develops meaningful relationships with other women of all ages. Proceeds from fundraising activities benefit the Temple Emanu-El Religious School. Sisterhood Co-Presidents: Judy Fine and Susan Simon. 
• Social Action Committee: develops programs in the areas of community social action and charitable works and coordinates outreach efforts within the Sarasota Manatee community, globally, and with people and organizations of other faiths. Committee Chair: Susan Rosenbaum.
• Social Justice Group: a non-partisan, social justice organization which works as an advocate for social justice in all forms consistent with Jewish values. Committee CoChairs: Nanci Weber and Dr. Andrea Zucker.      
• Starfish: brings Temple Emanu-El members together to super-serve kindergartners at a high-poverty school through various tutoring, craft, and/or performance programs to increase reading readiness, inspire a love of reading, support STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) learning experiences, and boost students’ self-esteem and confidence through intergenerational mentoring. Committee Chair: Dr. Tanice Knopp.   
• Susan Schwaid Early Learning Center: supports the Early Learning Center staff by working with children during activities and projects. Contact: Susan Schwaid Early Learning Center Director, Elaine Sharrock.
• Tot Shabbat: plans and organizes fun, meaningful Shabbat experiences for young Jewish and interfaith families. Contact: Rabbi Elaine Rose Glickman.
• Youth Group: assists Youth Group Advisor with overall support during events and planned activities for STEEMY grades 8-12 and STEEMY Jr. grades 6-7. Contact: Jessi Sheslow.
• Zip Code Host: arranges gatherings (in their home, clubhouse restaurant, etc.) for members living within their zip code. Contact: Kim Sheintal.

For additional information, contact the Temple office at (941) 371-2788 or email us HERE.

 
Revised December 20, 2023