Committees
Family Affair
The Family Affair Committee is a dedicated group within our congregation that aims to provide support, care, and assistance to members who are in various stages of life. Throughout the year, our committee reaches out to individuals and families who are grieving, celebrating, or in need of help. From a shiva meal to a box of diapers, our focus is to bring comfort, joy, and a sense of community to those who may be going through challenging times.
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee of TBM plays a vital role in ensuring the financial health and stability of the congregation. This committee is responsible for overseeing the temple’s budget, monitoring income and expenses, and making recommendations on financial policies and long-term planning. We work closely with leadership to support responsible handling of funds, ensure transparency, and help align financial decisions with the temple’s mission and values. Our work ensures that the temple can continue to serve its community both sustainably and effectively.
Men’s Club
The Temple Beth Miriam Men's Club encourages togetherness and Judaism among the men of Temple Beth Miriam, brings spirit and joy to our Temple and is designed to service our congregation and our community. Men's Club activities have included: trips to athletic events, including Jersey Shore Blue Claws and NJ Devils; Sukkah Set up; Bagel Sale Fund Raiser to support local food pantry and Asbury Park Mercy Center; sponsoring the Food concession at Purim Carnival to support.
POM
Programming, Outreach and Membership (POM) Committee brings a variety of fun and educational programs and events to our members. Past events have included yoga, Brunch with the Rabbi, speakers on homelessness and LGBTQ+ allyship, musical performances, the Canadian Picnic, post-Shabbat Dinner under the Stars and Lunch and a Show at the Axelrod Theater.
Religious Practice
The members of the Religious Practice Committee are dedicated congregants who volunteer their time so that the vital function for providing spirituality to the congregation can be fulfilled in a meaningful way, by working to foster a sense of community through religious observance, and making sure that services are accessible, spiritually enriching, and meet the needs of the entire congregation. The Committee oversees the planning of Shabbat services as well as major Jewish holidays like Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Hanukkah, Sukkot, and Shavuot. The RPC helps make sure that practices respect both Jewish tradition and contemporary social values, including interfaith families and the LGBTQ+ community. The Committee meets monthly and welcomes suggestions or comments.
Religious School Board
The Religious School Board overseas all aspects of the religious school, including finances, curriculum, school programs and activities. We work closely with the principal to ensure the best possible education for our students.
Sisterhood
Temple Beth Miriam Sisterhood offers a rewarding experience for women seeking social connection, purpose, and community.
We strive to offer a welcoming space for women of all ages.
Sisterhood hopes to continue to provide events engaging in spiritual, informative, and social activities.
Social Action
The Social Action/ Social Justice (SA/SJ) Committee encourages TBM members to participate in activities which impact the community outside of the temple, including both Jewish and non-Jewish causes. These include issues which impact our local community, our state and our nation. In recent years, the SA/SJ has sponsored a Mitzvah Day, encouraging blood and organ donations, sponsored a team for a run/walk benefiting the Sharing Network (“Team TBM Tikkun Olam”), and encouraged the monthly donation of specific items to the Bradley Beach Food Pantry. The Committee also participated in a postcard campaign urging state and federal representatives to preserve transgender rights. Members of the Committee and other members assist bar/bat mitzvah students with their Kishrei Halev (Connections of the Heart) projects. We also interact with the URJ’s Religious Action Committee on various issues, including combating antisemitism.
During the High Holidays, the Committee distributed bags to the congregation and the congregants returned the full bags, which were then delivered to the Bradley Beach Food Pantry. At the same time, the SA/SJ Committee also sponsored a voter registration drive. The Committee also encouraged members to participate in a “gently used” book drive for the benefit of a clinic in a local town and participated in a winter coat drive to benefit a homeless center in Asbury Park.
Lastly, the Committee also sponsors Breakfasts with the Rabbi on various topics, including 180 Turning Lives Around, a Domestic Violence support organization in Monmouth County, encouraging members to volunteer their time, and a program with a local high student who brought to light homelessness in Monmouth County. In the future, we would like to build interfaith relationships in Asbury Park and/or Long Branch and support initiatives of those houses of worship. The Committee is always seeking other ideas or initiatives and congregant participation.
We Care
We Care sends cards to congregants who have lost a loved one, is ill or had surgery, or something wonderful such as a new baby, special graduation, retirement, etc. It is a way to let our temple family know that ‘we care’.
