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.