Constitution and Bylaws of the Beth Jacob Synagogue

Last amended: June 17, 2025

PREAMBLE

Beth Jacob Synagogue is an unaffiliated Jewish congregation, whose members practice Judaism in diverse ways in an atmosphere of mutual respect.  All members are entitled to full participation in the life of the synagogue. 
 

ARTICLE I.  Name

The Congregation shall be known as the Beth Jacob Synagogue. 
 

ARTICLE II.  Membership

Section 1.  Any individual of the Jewish faith who has attained the age of eighteen (18) years, or any individual married to, or in a civil union with, a person of the Jewish faith together with that individual’s Jewish spouse or partner shall be eligible for membership in the Congregation. 

Section 2.  Election to membership.  Applicants for membership shall apply to the Board of Trustees. In applying for membership, applicants agree to abide by the Constitution and Bylaws of the Congregation and all the rules and regulations, including payment of such annual dues and assessments as may be established by the Board of Trustees. 

Section 3.  Privileges of membership.  The unit of membership for purposes of voting shall be the individual.  Each member shall be entitled to vote at all elections and meetings of the Congregation.  Dues shall be based upon membership.  Members shall have the right to attend religious services at the Synagogue and to have their children instructed in the Religious School of the Congregation, and to share in any other religious observances. 

Section 4.  The Board of Trustees may from time to time establish such other categories of membership as it deems proper. 
 

ARTICLE III.  Membership, Dues, Charges and Fiscal Year

Section 1.  All dues are payable annually.  A member whose dues are in arrears for one year is suspended from membership.  Upon suspension, all rights and privileges in the Congregation shall cease.  Such suspensions, however, shall not relieve such a member from the payment of any obligations due the Congregation. 

Section 2.  A member thus suspended may be reinstated upon payment of dues. 

Section 3.  The books and records of the Congregation shall be maintained on a fiscal years basis beginning July 1 and ending June 30 next ensuing. 

ARTICLE IV.  Meetings of the Congregation

Section 1.  The Annual Meeting of the Congregation shall take place on such date and at such place as the Board of Trustees may determine. 

Section 2.  Special meetings may be called by a Co-Director or half of the Board of Trustees. 

Section 3.  Ten (10) members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Congregation. 
 

ARTICLE V.  Officers and Board of Trustees

Section 1.  The Officers of the Congregation shall be two Co-Directors, a Treasurer, a Secretary, and a Chair of the Ritual Committee.  The Officers shall be elected at the Annual Meeting in even numbered-years for a term of two years and shall serve until their successors are elected. 

Section 2.  The Board of Trustees shall consist of the Officers of the Congregation, five (5) members of the Congregation elected at the Annual Meeting in odd-numbered years, and one representative of the Religious School, selected by the Religious School Committee, all of whom must be members of the congregation.  All Board of Trustees members shall serve for two years. 

Section 3.  Vacancies which occur in any office, either of an Officer or a Trustee, shall be filled as soon as possible by majority vote of the Board of Trustees.  All persons so elected shall fill the unexpired term of the person replaced. 
 

ARTICLE VI.  Power and Duties of the Board of Trustees

Section 1.  The Board of Trustees shall be vested with the management and control of the property and affairs of the Congregation, except such powers as are by this Constitution and Bylaws conferred on or prescribed to the members of the Congregation. 

Section 2.  It shall have the full powers to transact the business of the Congregation and to do and perform all acts necessary to be done to carry out the objects and purposes of the Congregation.  It may enact such rules and regulations as it may deem expedient for the transaction of the business of the Congregation and for its general welfare, but no vital change shall be made in the mode of worship without the consent of the members of the Congregation. 

Section 3.  It shall recommend the dues structure for the various classifications of membership and shall have the power to recommend such assessments as are appropriate. 

Section 4.  It may, in its discretion, remit any indebtedness due the Congregation on the part of any member. 

Section 5.  It shall hold regular meetings at such time and place as called by a Co-Director, or half of the members of the Board of Trustees, with due notice.  Meetings may be held virtually.

Section 6.  It shall designate the persons who are authorized to sign checks and other documents for and on behalf of the Congregation. 

Section 7.  It shall supervise and oversee any employees or contractors hired or retained on behalf of the Congregation. 

Section 8.  One half of the members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board of Trustees. 

Section 9.  The Board of Trustees shall present an estimated annual budget for the upcoming fiscal year to the membership at the Annual Meeting for discussion and approval in its entirety by majority vote of those present. 

Section 10.  If the budget is not approved by the membership at the Annual Meeting, a proposed budget shall be presented at a special meeting of the congregation within thirty (30) days for their discussion and approval. 

Section 11.  The budget approved by the membership serves as an income distribution mandate for the Board of Trustees.  The Board of Trustees is empowered to meet contingencies as it deems proper. 

ARTICLE VII.  Powers and Duties of the Officers

Section 1.  Co-Director:

1. There shall be two Co-Directors.  The two Co-Directors shall share in the obligations of the role.  In the event of a conflict between the Co-Directors, the Board of Trustees shall decide the matter by majority vote. 

2. One of the Co-Directors shall preside at all meetings of the Congregation and of the Board of Trustees. 

3. A Co-Director shall have the power to call a special meeting of the Board of Trustees and shall do so whenever requested by a majority of the members of the Board of Trustees. 

4. In the absence of both Co-Directors, either Co-Director may appoint a designee to act as Acting Director.  In case of inability to act, the Board of Trustees, by majority vote, may appoint a designee to perform all Co-Directorial duties. 

Section 2.  Treasurer:

1. The Treasurer shall be the chief financial officer of the Congregation and shall perform such duties as are necessary to fulfill the office. 

2. The Treasurer or designee shall make detailed estimates of the income and expenses of the Congregation and prepare an annual budget for the approval by the Board of Trustees. 

3. The Treasurer or designee shall review the financial accounts and securities of the Congregation and present to the Board of Trustees as needed. 

Section 3.  Secretary:

1. The Secretary shall perform all duties relating to maintenance of the records of the Congregation.

2. The Secretary or designee shall be present and act as Secretary at meetings of the Board of Trustees, including taking minutes. 

3. The Secretary shall be responsible for storing, sorting, and archiving minutes in an agreed-upon location. 

4. The Secretary shall periodically review and maintain the website of the Congregation.

Section 4.  Chair of the Ritual Committee:

1. The Chair of the Ritual Committee shall call meetings of the Ritual Committee as needed. 

2. The Chair of the Ritual Committee shall oversee religious events and services.

Section 5.  Reports. 

1. Committee chairs or their designees must report regularly at meetings of the Board of Trustees. 

ARTICLE VIII.  Committees

Section 1.  Ritual Committee.  The Chair of the Ritual Committee shall appoint at least two (2) members of the congregation to serve with the Chair of the Ritual Committee on the Ritual Committee.  The Ritual Committee shall provide guidance on matters involving Jewish observance and ritual.  Anyone wishing to initiate an event involving ritual (e.g., weddings, funerals, B’nei Mitzvah observances, services) must first consult with the Ritual Committee, subject to final approval of the Board of Trustees. 

Section 2.  Religious School Committee. The Board of Trustees, by majority vote, shall appoint at least two (2) members of the congregation to serve as members of the Religious School Committee.  The Religious School Committee shall have the powers necessary to operate the Religious School, subject to any limits imposed by the Board of Trustees.

Section 3.  Special Committees.  The Board of Trustees, by majority vote, may appoint such other committees for special purposes as may from time to time be deemed necessary.  Unless otherwise ordered, the reports and recommendations of the special committees are to be submitted to the Board of Trustees for approval.  No expenditure of funds may be authorized by any special committee without prior approval of the Board of Trustees. 
 

ARTICLE IX.  Acquiring and Borrowing Money

Section 1.  The Board of Trustees may at any of its meetings authorize the Officers of the Congregation to borrow any specified sum of money (not to exceed twenty-five (25) percent of the income of the preceding fiscal year) to meet the current expenses of the Congregation, and to execute such evidence of indebtedness as may be required. 

Section 2.  The members of the Congregation may, at any Annual Meeting or special meeting called for that purpose, authorize the Board of Trustees to borrow any specified sum of money for any purpose within the scope of the objects of the Congregation and to execute such evidence of indebtedness as may be required. 

ARTICLE X.  Amendments

Section 1.  The Board of Trustees may recommend that any portion or all of the Constitution and Bylaws be amended, repealed, or rescinded at any meeting of the Board of Trustees, provided notices are given to each member of the Board of Trustees in writing of the date, place, and purpose of the said meeting at least two (2) days prior to such meeting; provided the recommendation to effect such amendment is approved by a simple majority of those present at such meeting. 

Section 2.  A Co-Director shall call a special meeting of the Congregation for the consideration of amendments to this Constitution and Bylaws previously adopted by the Board of Trustees as provided in Article X, Section 1.  Such special meeting may be noticed for the same time and place as the Annual Meeting.

Section 3.  At such a meeting called in accordance with the provisions of Section 2 of this Article, the members of the Congregation have the right to approve, reject or modify any proposed amendment, repeal or rescission of the Constitution and Bylaws as outlined in the notice of the meeting by simple majority vote of those present.