Our Board and Committees

There are many benefits to serving on our board and committees. There’s the stronger connection — spiritually, educationally, socially — with Kehillah. There’s the pleasure of getting to know more Kehillah members. And, of course, there’s the satisfaction of making a difference in our community.

If you are interested in serving on a committee, or if you have any questions about the board or committees, email info@kehillahsynagogue.org, or call Kehillah Office at (919) 942-8914. If you wish to attend a Board meeting, please advise the Board President in advance at president@kehillahsynagogue.org.

Kehillah Committees/Interest Groups

Reproductive Justice Team – A sub-committee of the Social Action Committee, the Kehillah Reproductive Justice Team provides the congregation with educational events and social action opportunities regarding reproductive healthcare in North Carolina. We are proud to be a founding member congregation of the Triangle Interfaith Reproductive Justice Collaboration.

Kehillah Book Club – We learn about the books we read while also learning about each other. We choose books together, both fiction and non-fiction, most focused on Jewish themes.  One book per year is focused on deepening our understanding of racial equity issues. We take turns leading discussions and hosting snacks. Whether in-person or on-screen, all participants share in a single cross-media event: everyone’s thoughts are valued and no one feels like a spectator. We meet every other month. All Kehillah members are welcome to join us at each meeting.

Social Action Committee – The Social Action Committee’s mission is to engage the Kehillah community in activities that reach out to those in need and advance social and economic justice at the local, national and global levels.

Member Engagement Committee – The Member Engagement Committee seeks to expand opportunities for member connection and engagement with each other and Jewish tradition. It acts to increase relationships with and between Kehillah members and prospective members, as shown through attendance, social and institutional involvement.  The Committee seeks to foster and strengthen engagement in Jewish religion, community and culture.

Kiddush Committee – The Kiddush Committee helps to set-up and clean-up lunch on Saturday mornings with food that is provided by Kehillah. We are always looking for additional help and it is not a weekly commitment. If you can help out every once in a while, that’s wonderful.

Women’s Group – The goal of the women’s group is to foster connection via informal gatherings. This group is open to all who identify as women, as well as non-binary people.  We plan to have monthly gatherings and you are welcome to come to any or all. This is NOT a group that you need to join and there is zero commitment. Simply attend when it works for you!

Religious School Committee – The mission of the Religious School is to provide knowledge and
experiences that foster a strong and positive Jewish identity and community as well as assist students and their families in living joyful and meaningful Jewish lives. The Religious School Committee makes recommendations to the Board regarding the direction and policies of the Religious School to ensure that the Religious School continues that mission.

Bereavement Committee – Encompasses the full scope of Jewish burial rituals as handled by our Chevra Kaddisha (literally “holy friends”), who ensure a proper Jewish burial for members of the community and supports the family of the deceased in their time of mourning. It also oversees the Kehillah Jewish Cemetery at Markham Memorial Gardens. Our Chevra Kaddisha attends to the removal of the body from the place of death, sit with the body at every moment until the burial (shomrim), and perform the traditional cleansing and dressing of the body (tahara). We also help arrange a time and place for the burial and act as pallbearers. Working closely with the rabbi, other Kehillah committees, and the funeral home, we make sure that the Kehillah community supports the family of the deceased by arranging minyanim and coordinating meals. Kehillah members are welcome and encouraged to join any of the three groups that help carry out the Chevra Kaddisha’s work: those who perform tahara, the sitters (shomrim) who stay with the body until burial, and the pallbearers.

Garden Crew – A group of volunteer Kehillah gardeners is working together to create a place to gather in Jewish community in our courtyard garden. Since 2022, volunteers have worked to design and build a sanctuary garden that creates a sense of well-being and sweetness for Kehillah members of all ages. Plantings include native plants and compatible non-natives that support engagement and learning in the garden on multiple levels: visuals, texture, touch, and sweet scents. Members of the volunteer “Garden Crew” meet monthly in the gardening
seasons (mostly fall and spring) to spend enjoyable hours gardening, making plant supports from local wood, and learning more about gardening.

Ritual Committee – The Ritual Committee, in coordination with the Rabbis, advises the Board and the congregation on ritual matters and coordinates member leadership of Shabbat and other prayer services. The committee also facilitates and assists with other ritual activities such as: Tu B’Shvat Seders, Passover Seders, Shavuot Torah flower crown making, education of congregants to lead services, and teaching members to blow the shofar for High Holidays.

Advancement Committee – The Advancement Committee focuses on raising friends and funds to support Kehillah. The Committee seeks to build relationships with our members in support of Kehillah’s current and future needs in order to secure its continuing fiscal health. Advancement’s role is to facilitate legacy giving and fundraising in order to fund fully our Rabbinic staff, programs, education and worship.

Kehillah Mitzvah Knitters – The Kehillah Mitzvah knitters/crocheters is a group of volunteers who create comfort shawls for members who are healing or who are in mourning. We also create hats, scarves, mittens, blankets and other needed items for the Chapel Hill/Durham community. We accept donations of yarn, knitting needles and crochet hooks.  All are welcome, regardless of skill level.

Adult Education Committee – The Adult Education Committee organizes a variety of programs ranging from text study to cultural programs, lectures with leading scholars to lessons on ritual leadership, Jewish popular culture and more. Adult Education Committee also collaborates in organizing the biennial Scholar-in-Residence program.

Kehillah Jewish Preschool Strategy Committee – Our goal is to provide the KJP with strategic planning.  The Committee is also involved in proposing capital needed to maintain and improve the KJP.  Where needed, we help with succession planning.