Since 1990, Congregation of Moses has had 24 Trustees, 15 of whom have now died, 3.5 live away from Kalamazoo year-round or part-time, two are local but unable to be reliably available, leaving just 3.5 - Beth Grode (part-time resident), RaeLee Howard, Mike Tenenbaum and Shirley Wise - to be sometimes available to support CoM activities.

CoM Members who have been Trustees in the last 35 years are Celia Besbris, Ben Brot, David Davidoff, Paul Davidoff, Judy Davis, Art Feinberg, Dorotha Goldstein, Ken Goodman, Beth Grode, Sam Halpert, RaeLee Howard, Margaret Israelson, Marcia Kalb, Richard Kirschner, Ruth Lando, Jack Levene, Norman Marshall, Joy Rappaport, Lowell Seyburn, Werner Sichel, Esther Stulberg, Morris Stulberg, Michael Tenenbaum, and Shirley Wise.

The role of CoM Trustee has been constitutionally-defined since at least the 1979 By-Laws. Their key duty was to advise synagogue leadership, both elected and non-elected, in the affairs of the Congregation; they served as ex-officio members of the Board of Directors. While considered a great honor, it was not intended to be either honorary or a means to tap a worker-force.

Elected to a life-time obligation, Trustees had to be members, over 55, have years of consistent engaged experience in CoM activities and culture, with demonstrated knowledge, sensitivity, discretion, good judgment and reliability.

Typically, they had previously served in the top leadership of a key Jewish organization, and participated in a variety of committees and activities, providing institutional knowledge and historical perspectives. The Trustees concluded that these roles seem to be less critical than an existential need for active, younger members, and so decided to not propose additional names for consideration.

Submitted by Richard Kirschner

We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the members who have served in this capacity; for their service to our community and their good judgement when called upon. Deepest thanks to our past and present Trustees!