WE ARE GETTING CLOSE to applying new surface finishes to our sanctuary’s outer south wall, and to our main sanctuary hall. Which leads to a question: What should their surface colors be?
If you would like to make an estate gift to Mishkon to support capital improvements, it’s easy to do.…
“I hereby give [____ percent (__%) of my estate /or/ ______ dollars ($____) /or/ the residue of my estate] to the Capital Improvements Fund at Temple Mishkon Tephilo (Tax ID: 95-1544590).”
According to Mishkon’s Board Policies, all monies donated to the Capital Improvements fund are segregated in a separate bank account, distinct from the accounts in which operating funds and Maintenance Fund monies are kept. And all expenditures from this fund must meet the I.R.S. definition of a capital improvement, which includes restoration.
In short, you can, with little effort, ensure that the facilities that you value are preserved or enhanced in the future.
IN ORDER TO REDUCE how often local unhoused residents pee and poop specifically behind our marquee sign, let me recommend that we mount this image on the back of the sign (where it would be hidden from the street).
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There’s good reason to think this measure would make a difference. And if, as a result, Ruben won’t need to hose off the flagstone steps so often, it will not only be easier on him, and it will not only save water, but also the steps themselves will last much longer — reducing our long-term maintenance costs.
Below the jump, I cite the scientific basis for my suggested approach.…
NOW THAT SEVERAL ROWS of theater seats have been removed all the way across the back of our historic sanctuary, what is the size of that open area?
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| Venice BID meeting in the back of our sanctuary, 3/9/23. |
Answer: The area is approximately 26’ x 48’ = 1250 sq ft.
The last row of seats is slightly curved, which means that the open area is not perfectly rectangular.
NOW THAT SEVERAL ROWS of theater seats have been removed at the back of our historic sanctuary, how many seats remain?
The gross count is: 25 rows of seats, with 22 seats in each row (6 + 10 + 6), which is a potential total of 550 seats.
This needs to be adjusted downward, pending our repair of the south wall, because some seats have been temporarily removed along that wall, and 4 of them have been stashed in an existing row.
Current net seat count = 530.
OVER THE PAST MONTH, in seeking to enhance our synagogue’s security along our Main Street frontage, I have engaged with several fence/gate companies and metal fabricators. Last week, I met on site with a rep from each of two companies that do fabrication and custom work. We looked at what’s possible to achieve within the budget.
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| With pinions you will be covered; you will find refuge under God’s wings. (Psalm 91; RJPS transl.) |
Below the jump, I describe the resulting plans, which exist only in rough form so far. Before proceeding further, I am seeking feedback from members of the congregation. Feel free to call me, to discuss. For me, design is an iterative process, so I expect that there will be considerable improvement before the final product.
BECAUSE I DON'T have ready access to our utility bills and usage records, I’m attentive when they do come my way. Recently, for a training project, I was given spreadsheets of what Mishkon spent on electricity and water (combined) during the past year.
Below the jump, I briefly discuss the spreadsheets that I received from our bookkeeper.
WE MISHKON MEMBERS can easily convince ourselves that (nearly) everything at the synagogue is being taken care of. After all, we have paid staff. We have devoted officers and directors and committees. We even have eager ad-hoc volunteers for cleaning up after Kiddush lunches.
Nonetheless, there are significant gaps in what is being attended to. Wouldn’t you like to know what those gaps are?
This post lays out some of Mishkon’s needs for your energy and acumen, as they relate to B&G concerns. Perhaps you or someone you know would thrive from being engaged in these matters! 🤔
UNTIL THE WALL is waterproofed, water damage will continue whenever it rains. And it will get worse over time, as the wall continues to degrade.
This post documents a couple of temporary measures that I have been taking to protect the interior of our sanctuary building.
I’m proceeding according to the “ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” principle. (The down side is that these measures reduced my availability for other B&G responsibilities.)
WE NOW HAVE a plan for how to repair the three deteriorated pilaster bases on the exterior of our historic sanctuary’s south wall. (These bases’ condition is described and shown HERE and HERE.)
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| Detail from structural engineer’s drawing: view from above. E = existing element. (As usual, click/tap on an image to enlarge it.) |
In January, the board approved a budget for this repair. Last week, our structural engineering consultant provided a plan, in the form of a drawing. I’m now asking vendors to bid on doing it according to that plan.
This post briefly describes our plan — as well as what went wrong that led to the need for this repair.