Committees & Volunteering

לֹא עָלֶיךָ הַמְּלָאכָה לִגְמֹר, וְלֹא אַתָּה בֶן חוֹרִין לִבָּטֵל מִמֶּנָּה
It is not your job to complete the task, but neither are you free to desist from it.
-- Pirkei Avot 2:21

Like many communities, we rely on volunteers to help make Ohev such a vibrant shul. Please consider getting involved by joining (or helping to lead) one of our committees. Whether you have several hours a week or even a few hours a month, there is an opportunity for you to volunteer and help make a difference in our community. Complete this form, or click on the committee name below to email the point of contact for more information or to volunteer. Thank you!

Community Support  Committees

• Welcome/New Members - (Board liaison: Dafna Sherman)
  The Welcome Committee is looking for volunteers to host (meals or overnight hospitality) and welcome new members in the synagogue.
• Chesed - Sheila Kurtzer (Board liaison: Sheila Kurtzer)
  The Chesed committee is looking for volunteers to help coordinate meals and other needs for families that recently gave birth, or who have health or other issues.
• Shiva - Lea Mendelsohn & Dafna Sherman (Board liaison: Sheila Kurtzer)
  The Shiva Committee is looking for volunteers to help those who experience loss of a loved one. In conjunction with our clergy, they work to help coordinate meals, prayer services, and overall support.
• Cemetery - Josh Kirstein (Board liaison: Andy Binstock)
  Ohev operates Congress Place Cemetery in Washington, DC. Volunteers are needed to help oversee the cemetery. 
• Bikur Cholim/Supporting Seniors - Juana Lutzky (Board liaison: Sheila Kurtzer)
  The Bikur Cholim committee is responsible for organizing efforts by members to help and support each other, primarily in times of need. We are available to help people who need assistance at times of sickness or other challenges and we provide a variety of services including food, visits, and assisting in transportation. Our goal is to link members when a need becomes apparent, doing deeds of loving kindness within out own community, and fostering a spirit of mutual concern. If people are ill, in grief, or simply need a visit or other help, please let the committee lend a hand.
• Chevra Kadisha - Leadership position available
  Ohev is looking to develop our own Chevra Kadisha to help prepare those deceased for burial.

Programming   Committees

• Youth Programming - Ilana Waxman & Elizabeth Bodine-Baron (Board liaison: Ilana Waxman)
  Volunteers are needed to assist with Shabbat morning youth programming and other youth activities.
• Ritual - Yedida Eisenstat & Ariel Wolf (Board liaison: Hannah Meister)
  Centralized body with primary responsibility for: a) ensuring that all members of the Ohev community can enjoy high-quality tefilot and related programs; and b) working with, and under the halakhic guidance of, the Rabbi to consider and enact changes to ritual practice.
• Ritual sub-committee: Women's Tefillah - (Board liaison: Hannah Meister)
  Ohev has an active women's tefilah group, which generally meets monthly. Volunteers are needed to assist with leading tefilah and promoting the Women's Tefilah.
• Kiddush and Seudah Shlishit - Dina Epstein (Board liaison: Sarah Gershman)
  Improve and clarify kiddush options. Create sponsorship opportunities. Work with the community to create a volunteer rotation for set-up, etc.
  Every Shabbat afternoon, the Ohev community joins together for Seudah Shilshit. Volunteers are needed to help with setup and clean-up. Please come to shul 45 minutes before Mincha on Shabbat afternoon to volunteer. To volunteer for leyning, email Josh Resnick.
• Adult Education - Danny Schwartz (Board Liaison Sarah Gershman)

  There many opportunities for adult learning at Ohev including weekly classes at a variety levels with Rabbi and Rabbanit Wolkenfeld, as well as classes taught by community members. We would love to hear what you are interested in! 

Facilities & Operations Committees

• Library - Micah Salb (Board liaison: Josh Resnick)
  Our Library Committee is looking for volunteers to assist with organizing, labeling, and maintaining our library collection.
• Finance - Mat Barkan (Board Treasurer)
  Volunteers with financial or audit experience are needed to assist with the the shul’s overall financial management.
• Audit- Todd Braunstein (Board liaison: Rachel Weiss-Berger)
  Volunteers with financial or audit experience are needed to assist with the the shul’s overall financial management.
• Investment- (Board liaison: Mat Barkan)
  Volunteers with financial or audit experience are needed to assist with the the shul’s overall financial management.
• Security / Greeters / Health & Safety Committee - Shaanan Meyerstein (Board liaison: Ben Schwartz)
  Volunteers for the Welcome Committee are needed to help ensure the security of our shul, which includes greeting regulars and guests on Shabbat and assisting with monitoring the entrances of the shul. 
• Facilities/Building - Harris Cohen (Board liaison: Josh Resnick)
  The Facilities & Building Committee are looking for volunteers to assist with facility improvements and building improvement plans.
• Eruv - James Karesh & Harris Cohen
  Volunteers are needed to help check the joint Shepherd Park/Woodside Eruv weekly.
• Personnel - Jay Einhorn, Eric Brown and Miriam Achtenberg (Board liaison: Jay Einhorn)
  Our senior professional staff, including our clergy, executive director, and programming staff are key to Ohev Sholom’s successfully meeting community needs.  Ensuring their success and satisfaction in their roles is therefore a priority of our lay-leadership, via the Board and/or its designees. The Personnel Committee, which may be either a subset or designee of the Board, is the Board’s main tool for overseeing and supporting Ohev Sholom’s professional staff. Click to see the Personnel Committee Charter.

Fundraising Committees

• Annual Gala Celebration - (Board liaison: Rachel Weiss-Berger)
  Our annual gala is the key celebration in our community to celebrate and fundraise. Volunteers are needed to help with fundraising, setup, cleanup, and more.
• Mishloach Manot Purim Fundraiser 
• General Fundraising - Rachel Weiss-Burger & Adena Kerstein (Board liaison: Rachel Weiss-Berger)
  Focus on the sustainability and growth of Ohev Sholom. Identify fundraising opportunities guided by the annual budget that may include developing an annual campaign plan, events and other fundraising initiatives. Volunteers with marketing skills are needed to help expand and cultivate fundraising opportunities. 

For more information, or to volunteer for an area not listed, please email Board@ostns.org.

Updated July 28, 2023