Ambassadors' Reports

REPORTS FROM TASK FORCES RE: A POTENTIAL FUTURE TOGETHER FOR

TEMPLE EMANU-EL AND CONGREGATION OR CHADASH

In early 2019, the Boards of Directors of Congregation Or Chadash and Temple Emanu-El initiated discussions between representatives of each congregation (“Ambassadors”) to consider a possible future together under two scenarios:

1....Read more...

Task Force Report

Religious School Task Force

November 14, 2019

Task Force Attendees:

Rina Liebeskind, Or Chadash Exec. Admin & Director of Youth Engagement

Jill Sobieszyk, 3rd-4th gr. Or Chadash RS Teacher

Suzie Stadheim, 4th & 7th gr. Or Chadash...Read more...

Executive Summary

Temple Emanu-El/ Or Chadash Finance Task Force Report

Congregation Or Chadash: Gary Kippur (First VP) and Mark Ross (Treasurer)

Temple Emanu-El: Scott Arden (President), Jeff Rein (Treasurer), Jerry Cohen (VP)

The finance task force members first signed a non-disclosure agreement in Spring, 2019, and then reviewed the budgets and...Read more...

Ambassadors’ Report

For the week of 10/28/2019

The Ambassadors’ reports earlier this month explored the national and local trends that spurred Congregation Or Chadash and Temple Emanu-El to begin a conversation about increased collaboration and considering a path toward a merger. 

We entered these talks to explore if we’d be stronger together than apart.  We formed task forces to create a clear picture...Read more...

At our last Ambassadors meeting, held on the evening after Yom Kippur, we discussed some of the common questions raised by our congregants both in group meetings and on an individual basis. One such theme was the concern regarding whether it was necessary for our congregations to begin this conversation in the first place. When we began down this road, we researched both national and local trends. We also spoke to lay leaders of congregations...Read more...

Temple Emanu-El and Or Chadash Ambassadors’ Progress Report – October 2019 Edition

The Ambassadors of Congregation Or Chadash and Temple Emanu-El met in early September and are on a brief hiatus till after Yom Kippur.   At the last meeting we discussed our communication strategy, working to provide information to our congregations in writing on both a weekly and monthly basis.  At this time, all of...Read more...

Ambassadors’ Progress Report

The leadership of Congregation Or Chadash and Temple Emanu-El are dedicated to providing clear communication on the talks between our congregations. We have a delegation from each synagogue to discuss current issues and future opportunities. This group, now informally called the Ambassadors, has been meeting twice per month to review collaborative efforts and to consider further topics of mutual...Read more...

Dear Congregants,

Congregation Or Chadash and Temple Emanu-El have realized for the past few years that we have an opportunity to explore combined strengths.  Recently, we have begun considering how each congregation may benefit from collaborative efforts in providing education and spiritual programs. 

In recent years, most synagogues in the Tucson area (and nationwide) have experienced decreasing membership and...Read more...