Constitution

Below is the constitution of Young Israel Shomrai Emunah in both PDF and text form.

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Downloadable PDF:

Young Israel Shomrai Emunah Constitution [PDF]

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Full text:

CONSTITUTION OF

YOUNG ISRAEL SHOMRAI EMUNAH

OF GREATER WASHINGTON

(as of May 20, 2008)

Article I – Purpose and Name

Section 1 – We, the Jewish men and women of Greater Washington, in order to encourage and support Torah-true Judaism, inspire and satisfy the desire for Jewish

knowledge and learning and encourage Jews to live a wholesome Jewish life, do hereby establish an Orthodox Jewish Congregation.

Section 2 – This Congregation shall be known as Young Israel Shomrai Emunah

of Greater Washington – a perpetual non-profit religious corporation as incorporated in

the District of Columbia in 1952.

Section 3 – Among its activities, this Congregation shall conduct a synagogue in

strict accordance with the Orthodox Jewish tradition.

Article II – Membership

Section 1 – Any Jewish man or woman who has reached the age of eighteen (18)

and is of good character shall be eligible to be considered for membership by the Board of Directors. No person shall be eligible for membership who is married not in accordance

with the traditional Jewish law. Any member so married forfeits all rights and benefits of

this Congregation.

Section 2 – A married couple shall not be eligible to have more than one membership.

Section 3 – (A) Membership Categories – Membership categories shall be

prescribed in the By-Laws.

(B) Voting Rights – Among members who are entitled to voting rights, single

members are entitled to one (1) vote and married members are entitled to two (2) votes.

Where husband and wife are present each is entitled to one vote. Where only one spouse

is present that spouse may cast only one vote.

(C) A member family shall be as prescribed in the bylaws.

Article III – Dues

Section 1 – Membership dues shall be set from time to time by a vote of the Board

of Directors for each category of membership and within each category of membership.

All dues and obligations shall be paid at such time as the Board of Directors may

determine.

Section 2 – Any member failing to pay dues or other obligations may be

suspended or expelled from membership in the Congregation. Members not in good

standing and those leaving the community shall be contacted by the Shul to determine

their interest in continued membership.

Section 3 – The fiscal year of the Congregation shall be set by the Board of

Directors.

Article IV – Membership Meetings

Section 1 – The membership of this congregation shall meet at least once a year.

Section 2 – The President, or “in his absence the highest ranking officer eligible

for President according to Halacha, may call a special meeting in case of emergency at his own discretion. It shall also be his duty to call a special meeting of the membership of the congregation whenever requested to do so in writing by ten (10) members of the

Congregation in good standing. Reasonable notice in writing shall be given to the

members through the Secretary. The purpose of the special meeting must be specified in the notice and no other business may be transacted at this session other than that specified in the meeting notice.

Section 3 – Seven (7) members shall constitute a quorum for the conduct of

business.

Article V – Officers

Section 1 – The elected officers of the Congregation shall consist of a President,

up to five (5) but not fewer than (1) Vice-Presidents in numbered order, the number to be fixed by the Board, Treasurer and Secretary in order of succession.

Section 2 – Only Sabbath observers are eligible to hold office.

Section 3 – Only a male member of the Congregation may serve as President.

Section 4 – No one shall serve more than three (3) consecutive terms in the same

office.

Section 5 – No member shall hold more than one elected office at any one time.

Article VI – Nomination, Election and Installation of Officers and Board Members

Section 1 (a) At least forty five (45) days prior to the election meeting of each

year the President shall appoint a nominating committee including a chairman. Said

nominating committee must consist of at least five (5) members, not more that 50% of

whom shall be members of the Board of Directors.

(b) Following the appointment of the committee, the Secretary shall

immediately inform the Congregation by mail regarding the date of the election meeting

and the names of the nominating committee and its chairman. In addition, the Secretary

shall include notification to the Congregation regarding the procedure (Article VI, Section

1(c)) for recommending individuals for consideration by the nominating committee.

(c) Upon receipt of the mailing mentioned in Article VI, Section 1(b),

any member of the Congregation may propose to the nominating committee the name of any Congregation member for any office or board membership provided said nominee indicates a willingness to serve if elected.

(d) The nominating committee shall consider the proposed names in

selecting their recommend slate of nominees.

(e) At least twenty (20) days prior to the election date the nominating

committee shall inform the congregation by mail of their proposed list of nominees. All

nominees shall have indicated their willingness to serve.

(f) Following this notice any two or more members of the congregation

may submit in writing to the nominating committee any additional nominations for any

office or board directorship. Said nomination(s) must be received no later than fourteen

(14) days prior to the election meeting.

(g) If the final list of nominees differs from the proposed list sent in

section (3) then, at least seven (7) days prior to the election meeting the nominating

committee shall mail to the Congregation membership the final list of nominees. This list

shall include those proposed in the initial mailing (Article VI, Section 1(e)) plus any

additional nominees proposed in Article VI Section 1(f).

(h) No other nominations will be accepted.

Section 2 – No one may be nominated for any office or the Board of Directors

unless he or she has been a member in good standing for the year preceding such

nomination.

Section 3 – All officers shall be elected annually at a meeting before June 1 called

for that purpose. Elections shall be the first order of business at this meeting.

Section 4 – No absentee or proxy ballots will be honored.

Section 5 – All elections for contested positions shall be by closed ballot. The

candidate receiving a majority of votes cast shall be deemed elected. If no candidate for

an office received a majority the two candidates receiving the largest number of votes

shall be balloted upon and the one receiving the majority of votes cast will be deemed

elected.

Section 6 – The elected officials shall take office on the first day of the month of

June.

Article VII – Duties of the President

Section 1 – The President shall preside at all meetings of the Congregation. He

shall see that By-Laws and standing rules of the Congregation and their usages are

observed, and that the officers discharge their duties faithfully. He shall appoint all

standing and special committees with the approval of the Board of Directors. He shall

neither make nor second any motion nor take part in any debate while in the chair.

Section 2 – He shall not vote except in case of election of officers and of new

members. On any other subjects he may make or break a tie.

Section 3 – He shall have power to authorize the non-emergency expenditure of a

sum not exceeding three thousand dollars ($3,000) between regular meetings of the Board of Directors. From time to time the Board of Directors may set a higher limit for such expenditures.

Article VIII – Duties of the Vice-President

Section 1 – In the absence of the President, the highest ranking male Vice-

President shall assume the power and authority vested in the President.

Article IX – Duties of the Treasurer

Section 1 – The Treasurer shall receive all monies for use of the congregation and

give receipt for same. Within seven (7) days of receipt, he shall deposit in such bank as

the Congregation may designate all monies received for the use of the Congregation.

This duty may be delegated to the the Bookkeeper or other employee of the congregation.

Section 2 – The Treasurer or the Bookkeeper shall pay all orders drawn on his

office by the Congregation signed by the President.

Section 3 – The Treasurer shall allow monies in the bank account of the

congregation to be withdrawn only be check signed by two (2) of the officers authorized

to co-sign checks.

Section 4 – The Treasurer shall render an annual report and interim summary

reports of the transactions and business of his office showing the financial condition of

the congregation.

Section 5 – The Treasurer shall deliver all monies, books and papers in his

possession to his successor in office, or the presiding officer.

Article X – Duties of the Secretary

Section 1 – The Secretary shall keep an accurate record of the proceedings of all

meetings of the membership and the Board of Directors. The records shall be available

for inspection by any member of the Congregation within ten (10) days after each Board

or Congregational meeting. The Secretary shall serve all notices to attend meetings, and perform all similar duties that the Congregation may assign upon him.

Article XI – Duties of the Gabaim

Section 1 – The Gabaim shall distribute aliyot and other honors during Services.

Other activities of the Gabaim are included in the By-Laws.

Section 2 – Two Gabaim from each of the Shabbat morning minyanim and one

from each weekday morning minyan shall be appointed by the President with the

approval of the Rabbi and Chair of the Ritual Committee. This section shall go into effect the first nomination and election cycle after its passage. Gabaim who were elected as officers shall remain elected officers until June 1 following the passage of this

amendment.

Article XII – Duties of the Board of Directors

Section 1 – The Board of Directors of the Congregation shall consist of the

Officers; the immediate past President, the President of the Sisterhood; and fifteen (15)

trustees elected by the Congregation. They shall have custody of all property belonging

to the Congregation and shall manage the affairs of the Congregation.

Section 2 – All trustees shall be elected for a three-year term. One-third of the

trustees shall be elected each year. No trustee shall be elected for more than 2 consecutive terms.

Section 3 – Five (5) members of the Board shall constitute a quorum. Any five (5)

members of the Board may appeal to the congregation any decision or act of the Board

within ten (10) days thereafter. The appeal must be in writing, addressed to the President, whose duty it shall be to call a meeting of the congregation within fifteen (15) days of the filing of such an appeal.

Section 4 – Any decision of the Board of Directors may be appealed, within thirty

(30) days, by ten (10) members of the Congregation. The appeal shall be in writing and

presented to the President, or in his absence, to the succeeding officer, as prescribed in

Article V, Sections 1 and 3. He shall follow the procedure outlined in Article IV for a

Special Meeting

Section 5: Only one member of each married couple may hold elected office at

one time.

Article XIII – Vacancy of Office

Section 1 – Should a vacancy occur in any elected office or trustee, the Board shall

proceed to elect another member, at the next meeting, who shall serve the remainder of

the term.

Article XIV – The Rabbi

Section 1 B A Rabbi shall be elected at the discretion of the Congregation by a

majority of sixty percent (60%) of the votes cast at a special membership meeting of the

Congregation.

Section 2 – The man eligible to hold or administer the office of Rabbi in the

Congregation shall have true Rabbinical Ordination (Smicha) from a recognized Yeshiva or authority, and shall conduct himself in an Orthodox Jewish manner.

Section 3 – The Rabbi shall be the halachic authority for all religious aspects and

functions of the Congregation and its constituent organizations.

Section 4 – He shall supervise educational activities conducted under the

sponsorship of the Synagogue.

Section 5 – Additional specific duties of the Rabbi, not in conflict with the terms

of this Constitution, may be incorporated in the contractual agreement arranged by the

Congregation with the Rabbi.

Article XV – The Assistant Rabbi

Section 1 – An Assistant Rabbi shall be elected at the discretion of the

Congregation by a majority of sixty percent (60%) of the votes cast at a special

membership meeting of the Congregation.

Section 2 – The man eligible to hold or administer the office of Assistant Rabbi in

the Congregation shall have true Rabbinical Ordination (Smicha) from a recognized

Yeshiva or authority, and shall conduct himself in an Orthodox Jewish manner.

Section 3 – An Assistant Rabbi shall be a halachic authority for all religious

aspects and functions of the Congregation and its constituent organizations subject to

guidance provided by the Rabbi.

Section 4 – He shall supervise educational activities conducted under the

sponsorship of the Synagogue.

Section 5 – Additional specific duties of an Assistant Rabbi, not in conflict with

the terms of this Constitution, may be incorporated in the contractual agreement arranged by the Congregation with the Assistant Rabbi.

Article XVI – The Cantor

Section 1 – A Cantor shall be elected at the discretion of the Congregation by a

majority of the votes cast at a special membership meeting of the Congregation.

Section 2 – The Cantor shall be an observant Jew who keeps the Sabbath

according to the Shulchan Aruch.

Section 3 – The specific duties of the Cantor not in conflict with the terms of this

Constitution may be incorporated in the contractual agreement arranged by the

Congregation with the Cantor.

Article XVII – Employees

Section 1 – The Board of Directors may employ such other members of the

Synagogue staff as it may deem necessary and shall determine the terms of their

employment and their duties. The Board of Directors may delegate this responsibility to a Standing Committee or to the President on a case by case basis.

Section 2 – The President shall sign all employment contracts.

Article XVIII – Religious Worship and Conduct

Section 1 – All religious services, prayers and customs shall be conducted

according to Orthodox Ritual and specified in the Shulchan Aruch and other accepted

authorities.

Section 2 – Nusach of principal services, prayers and customs shall be Ashkenaz.

Section 3 – All official affairs of the Congregation and its constituent organization

shall be in accord with the Shulchan Aruch.

Section 4 – In the absence of an elected Rabbi, the President shall immediately

appoint a Halach-Nusach Committee, subject to the approval of two-thirds of the Board

of Directors. The rulings of this Committee shall be binding until revoked by the

procedure specified in the next Section.

Section 5 – Any disputes of a religious nature or appeal from rulings of the

Halacha-Nusach Committee shall be referred to a court of three (3) Orthodox Rabbis not members of the congregation, whose qualifications are specified in Article XIV, Section 2.

Section 6 – No individual shall be invited to address the Congregation at a service

unless the Rabbi is consulted and has given his consent.

Article XIX – Standing Committees

Section 1 – The following standing committees shall be appointed at the first

meeting of each new administration by the President in consultation with the Vice-

Presidents, with the approval of the Board of Directors:

Cemetery Committee

Education Committee

Finance Committee

High Holiday Committee

House Committee

Kitchen Committee

Nursery School Committee

Ritual Committee

Youth Activities Committee

The function and activities of these committees shall be included in the By-Laws.

Article XX – Amendments

Section 1 – Any ten (10) members of the Congregation or five (5) members of the

Board may submit, in writing to the President, for Board consideration at its next

meeting, any proposed amendments to this Constitution. After the Board’s approval by

majority vote, the proposed amendment must be submitted for ratification at a special

membership meeting. After Board approval, the membership must be notified in writing,

within ten (10) days. The suggested amendment shall lie over for final action of the

congregation at a special meeting at least thirty (30) days but no more than forty-five (45) days after notification. Ratification by the membership shall require at least two-thirds majority for adoption.

Section 2 – Should the Board not approve any amendment proposed in accordance

with the provisions of Section 1, the provisions of Article XII, Section 4 shall be

applicable to obtain initial approval. Then, Congregation notification, consideration and

approval shall follow the provisions of Section 1 above. This Section is not applicable to

Section 3 of this Article.

Section 3 – The provisions of Article I, Section 2, and Article XIV, Sections 2 and

3, and Article XVIII, Sections 1 and 3, shall be irrevocable and not subject to amendment, change or repeal, as long as there are ten (10) members voting against such amendment, change or repeal. A special membership meeting must be called for action upon such proposed amendment, change or repeal, and at least ten (10) days written notice of such meeting shall be given.

Article XXI – Miscellaneous

Section 1 – This constitution shall become law by its passage and shall supersede

all existing constitutions of the Congregation.

Section 2 – Young Israel Shomrai Emunah of Greater Washington shall abide by

the Constitution of the National Council of Young Israel.

Section 3 – Any procedural issue not provided in this Constitution shall be subject

to the provisions of the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised.

Section 4 – After adoption of this Constitution, all members of the Congregation

will continue their membership status and all officers and trustees will continue in their

previous status until the expiration of their terms. This Section shall be null and void

after one year of its adoption.

BYLAWS OF

YOUNG ISRAEL SHOMRAI EMUNAH

OF GREATER WASHINGTON

Cemetery Committee

The duties of the Cemetery Committee shall include but not be limited to the following:

1. Preserve the dignity of the cemetery to include maintenance of the grounds,

equipment, and/or facilities and that all proper procedures are observed.

2. Establish procedures for management of cemetery property including determining

the status of available sites, assigning sites and determining prices and practices

for use of the cemetery.

Education Committee

The duties of the Education Committee shall include but not be limited to the following:

1. Establish classes that are designed to meet the interests of YISE synagogue

members and their families.

2. Schedule classes and recruit instructors.

3. Oversee and develop lecture series to address contemporary halachic issues.

4. Maintain the library and acquire materials that will improve the collection.

Finance Committee

The duties of the finance Committee shall include, but not be limited to the following:

1. Review financial records of the Synagogue to assure proper accounting of monies

received and spent.

2. Review billing procedures for members to assure that statements are regularly

issued, and that accounts receivable are promptly and properly posted.

3. Review the budgeting of special funds.

4. Insure that committees submit adequate budget proposals and within the required

periods of time.

5. Assist the Treasurer in other ways as required.

6. Maintain the Standing Committee on the Rabbi’s pension and compensation,

which annually reviews and establishes the Rabbi’s pension and other benefits.

7. Prepare and submit an annual budget based on standing committee requests and

reoprt to the Synagogue.

High Holiday Committee

The duties of the High Holiday committee shall include, but not be limited to the

following:

1. Assignment of seats in accordance with established guidelines.

2. Arrangement of seats and the transfer of siddurim and machzorim.

3. Supervision of activities that are designed to prompt the proper conduct and

decorum of High Holiday services.

4. Selection of persons to conduct services, and receive aliyot and other honors.

House Committee

The duties of the House Committee shall include, but not be limited to the following:

1. Maintain the inside and outside of all Synagogue properties, to include heating, air

conditioning, plumbing, electricity, and associated equipment.

2. Report to the Board of Directors as required, on problems requiring the

solicitation of bids, recommend contractors to the Board, and assure contractor

compliance.

3. Coordinate, as necessary, all work performed by contractors with the synagogue

office.

Kitchen Committee

The duties of Kitchen Committee shall include, but not be limited to the following:

1. Assure that all food served at Synagogue functions has the proper hasgoha and

that all requirements for preserving its Kashrut are met.

2. Assure that persons or caterers serving food are approved by the Rabbi to use the

facilities of the Synagogue.

3. Provide training of volunteers and/or paid help with regard to Kashrut and the

specific use of the Synagogue’s facilities.

4. Recruit and train volunteers to work in the kitchen and/or to serve food.

Nursery School committee

The duties of the Nursery School committee shall include but not be limited to the

following:

1. Establish policies governing the Administration of the Nursery School.

2. Assure that the Nursery School is managed in accordance with applicable state

and local laws, and in a manner that is appropriate to an Orthodox institution.

3. Provide as appropriate, specific guidance with regard to the daily management of

the budge, staff and programs of the Nursery School.

Ritual Committee

The duties of the Ritual Committee shall include, but not be limited to the following:

1. Establish procedures to enhance the conduct of daily, Shabbat and Holiday

services.

2. Provide the membership with a forum for the discussion of ideas relating to the

conduct of services.

3. Insure that Yahrzeit lights are turned on before the Yahrzeit is to be

commemorated.

4. Insure that the Kail Moleh is recited prior to the Yahrzeit for all people listed on

plaques.

5. Keep records up to date on Yahrzeit plaques.

6. Maintain liaison with the Synagogue office with regard to Yahrzeits.

Youth Activities Committee

The duties of the Youth Activities committee shall include but not be limited to the

following:

1. Establish policies and oversees the activities of YISE’s youth program.

2. Oversee and monitor work performed by the Youth Director who is responsible to

the committee for all of his/her activities.

3. Oversee the coordination of all youth programs conducted under the auspices of

YISE, or that are conducted by other organizations when such programs are held

within the facilities of YISE.

Duties of the Gabaim

The Synagogue Gabaim shall distribute and maintain records on aliyot and distribute

honors. They shall make arrangements with Baalei Smachot for aliyot and honors and

adhere to Board passed motions. They shall select Baalai Tephilot for Shabbat, Yomim

Tovim and select people to read Megillot during the respective Yomim Tovim. (High

Holiday aliyot and Baalai Tephilot are under the jurisdiction of the High Holiday

committee).

Amendments

Amendments to these Bylaws shall follow the same requirements as Article XX of the

constitution of Young Israel Shomrai Emunah.

Categories of YISE Membership shall include the following:

1. Full Membership – All adults and any children living at home under the age of 23 or

who are full-time students. Full Members are entitled to all member benefits.

2. Associate Membership – All adults and any children living at home under the age of 23 or who are full-time students. The Board may set additional requirements for Associate Membership.

Associate members have the following limitations on their membership rights:

a) The are not entitled to vote at meetings of the Congregation, nor may they be a

member of the Board of Directors nor hold any elected office of the Congregation;

b) Their fee for High Holiday seats shall be 25% above the fee for Full Members;

c) They may not reserve High Holiday seats from the previous year during any priority

period established for Full Members;

d) In accordance with halacha and with the discretion of the gabbaim, Full Members

enjoy priority over Associate Members regarding honors and obligations ("chiyuvim")

at religious services. Within these parameters Associate Members enjoy priority over

non-members;

e) Their rights to reserve the Congregation's facilities may be restricted by policies

established by the Board of Directors. The cost of using the Congregation's facilities

will be set by the Board of Directors.

General Limitations

1. A child's age for each year shall be determined as of the end of the Synagogue's immediately preceding fiscal year (currently, May 31)

2. The YISE Board of Directors and officers are authorized to set the dues rates for the various membership categories and within categories.

3. In cases of financial hardship, the YISE President is empowered to adjust dues for Full Members at his discretion.

4. Conversion from one membership category to another must be requested in writing.

5. Membership in the Synagogue does not automatically include cemetery privileges.

6. This amendment shall be effective June 1, 2001.