THE BET DAVID MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
Bet David is a self-governing, democratic community, which runs its own affairs. We are affiliated with the South African Union for Progressive Judaism (SAUPJ). All officials, including the rabbi, are subject to appointment by the community. All property is owned by the Bet David Trust. Bet David’s Kehillah (Sisterhood) is affiliated with Bet David, but an indipendent organisation, which is managed by their own ManCom. Many dedicated volunteers have spent years serving on the various committees of Bet David. Much of their work is done after hours and behind-the-scenes, but without it, the community would not function.
The affairs of Bet David are primarily administered by the Management Committee, subject to ratification of certain issues by the Bet David Trust (who owns the property and the buildings).
The Management Committee is elected at an Annual General Meeting which receives a report-back on the affairs of the community, in particular its financial status. The Management Committee must consist of at least five members and not more than ten members.
The Management Committee then elects out of its members an executive comprising the Chairperson, Vice Chairperson and the Treasurer, who hold office for 1 year.
In addition to the elected members the following also sit on the Management Committee:
- The Rabbi
- One youth member, usually the Gauteng head of the youth movement Netzer
- The Chairperson of Kehillah
Any adult member of Bet David who is in good standing is eligible to be elected to the Management Committee. Among the functions carried out by the committee are the interviewing and selection of full-time staff, including the rabbi and religion school head; setting of budgets; organising of events including festivities; fund-raising events; co-operation with sister synagogues and with the national SA Union for Progressive Judaism; care of the gardens; marketing and communications; support of all religious functions and support of the rabbi; and more.
The 2019 committee consists of:
DESMOND SWEKE (CHAIR) (chair@betdavid.org.za)
GEOFF VAN FLYMEN (HON. TREASURER)
BRETT STEINGO (VICE CHAIR)
GERALD SOBEL
THERESA SOBEL
DEORON LIPMANN
SHAI LIPMANN
RABBI ADRIAN M SCHELL (rabbi.schell@betdavid.org.za)
CYNTHIA ROSEN (Kehillah)
GAIL SCHEUBLE (Kehillah)
Bet David Kehillah Committee 2019
Antonio Coreejes; Michelle Eliason; Lalie Gerber; Myrna Margo; Cynthia Rosen; Lesley Rosenberg; Gail Scheublḗ; Lesley Shipton; Molly Smith; Marilyn Trujillo z.L. ; Jean Weinstein.