A board retreat provides an enormous opportunity to engender energy, enthusiasm, and excitement among the trustees, and, if properly planned, it can result in a memorable spiritual experience.

Six months ago, after much lively debate, the Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR) passed its most recent platform. This marks the first time that the Reform Movement's platform was drafted with input from rabbis and lay people from throughout North America (largely because of the Internet) rather than by a small group of rabbis gathered at the CCAR convention. This 1999 "Statement of Principles" affirms the central tenets of Judaism -- God, Torah, and Israel -- even as it acknowledges the diversity of Reform Jewish beliefs and practices. It also invites all Reform Jews to engage in a dialogue with the sources of our tradition and to respond to them with our knowledge, our experience, and our faith.

How have these principles affected your synagogue? How can you, as a board, embrace this invitation to you and your congregation to engage in dialogue?

Dr. Thomas Wolf, the president of Touro Synagogue in New Orleans, Louisiana, devoted an entire board meeting to a discussion of the principles. He distributed a copy of the statement in advance to give the board members an opportunity to review the material. The temple's rabbi, David Goldstein, launched the discussion with an introduction to the principles and an enlightening briefing about the process of the debate and the passage of this proposal at the Pittsburgh Conference. A lengthy discussion lasted well beyond the scheduled meeting time. Very different points of view were articulated in a cordial yet passionate way. Subjects ranging from kashrut to kipot were debated. Have the principles affected the board and congregation members of Touro Synagogue? "There have been concrete changes in this congregation as a result of "A Statement of Principles for Reform Judaism," muses Dr. Wolf. "More people are having adult b'nei mitzvah, expressing a desire to become proficient in Hebrew, attending services, learning about Shabbat, and reevaluating spirituality in their daily lives."

Rabbi Jeffrey Sirkman of Larchmont Temple, in Larchmont, New York, has used the principles as his teaching tool for spanning the generations. After expounding on the principles in his High Holy Day sermon, Rabbi Sirkman led a discussion about the first group of principles during a confirmation class to which all congregants were invited. Attending congregants received a double mitzvah: They were treated to a challenging discussion with an in-depth exploration of how God gives meaning and purpose to our lives and were also given the opportunity to get to know the confirmands through the latter's thoughtful and heartfelt contributions.

Consider incorporating these two models into a meaningful exploration of the principles in your congregation. Organize a board panel discussion with representatives from a broad range of constituents within your congregation -- from the Ritual Committee and Youth Board, the Outreach and Social Action Committees, the nursery school and Brotherhood -- and explore the themes of our Reform Jewish tradition that are highlighted in the principles. As a board member, you cannot do more meaningful work. As Rabbi Sirkman said in his High Holy Day sermon: "Unlike during any other moment in our movement's history, we have the chance to chart our own course by seriously considering where we stand-on principle."

Use the Chag Haneti-ot, "Holiday of Planting," Tu Bish'vat, to launch your budget discussion as you ponder the responsibility of planting and planning for the future of your congregation. Read the following story:

One day, as Honi the Circle-Drawer was walking along the road, he saw a man planting a carob tree. Honi asked, "How long will it take for this tree to bear fruit?" The man replied, "Seventy years." Honi asked, "Do you expect to live another seventy years to eat its fruit?" The man replied, "I did not find the world without carob trees when I entered it. As my forebears planted for me, so I am planting for those who come after me."

Talmud Ta-anit 23a

Think about the fruit that your board is reaping, whose seeds were planted by prior leaders. Challenge your board members as they begin the budget process to consider what seeds to plant during their tenure. Remember that a congregation's budget should reflect its goals, vision, and mission. Begin the process by asking who you are, what you want to achieve, and what it will cost to create that vision. Keep the following in mind as you charge the Budget Committee with its task:

• View the budget as a tool to achieve your goals and help you plan, supervise, and control the operations of the congregation.
• Consider the "big picture" and avoid micromanaging both with regard to earning income and attempting to cut expenses.
• Realize that sometimes you need to spend money to make money and that cutting budget line items does not always insure or lead to the fiscal health of the congregation.
• Remember that the budget process, dues system, operational fund-raising, capital fund-raising, alternative revenue streams, and endowment are pieces of the same congregational finance puzzle.
• Assess the previous year's budget: What worked, what did not, and why?
• Consider raising dues slightly each year instead of waiting and having to implement a large increase every few years.
• Communicate on a regular basis (not only during times of crisis) with the members of the congregation about the temple's current financial picture.
• Involve as many people as possible in the budget process.

Next month: Tips on reviewing the budget that is presented to you

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For our January-February issue: If you attended the Orlando biennial what are your plans for sharing Rabbi Yoffie's initiatives with your congregation?