March 15, 2010

 Dear Members:

In accordance to our By-laws (Article VIII, Section 1), a Nominating Committee was established with the duty of naming candidates for Officer and Board of Trustee positions for elections to be held at our upcoming Annual Meeting on Sunday May 16, 2010. Please keep in mind that only current members may cast a vote.

The Nominating Committee consisting of Fred Jiji (chairman), Vera Shemel, Ruth Shashou, Samir Kamara, and Elias Hawa has made the following nominations (we are also including independent nominations that have been received so far which are identified by a ** next to their names):

 Nominated Officers - two (2) year term:

President:  Ronnie Rabbie
Vice Presidents (two positions):  Ronny Ben-Josef
                                                      Eddie Nassim
Executive Officer:  Morris Bakhash    
Secretary:  Natalie Mashaal
Treasurer:  Eliahou  Shamash **  

Board of Advisors:

Shlomo Bakhash
Edeed Ben-Josef
Albert Nassim

Board Appointed Members - two (2) year term:

President Religious Committee:  Joe Ezra

 The following Board of Trustees members have already completed two (2) years of their four (4) year terms and thus would not be included in upcoming selections  (see note below):

 Alice Aboody, Elias Hawa, Anis Shashou

Nominated Board of Trustees  A total of Seven (7) trustee positions available each with a four (4) year term. The five (5) highest voted persons will serve a four (4) year term, while the next two (2) most voted, will serve two (2) year terms.  The following is the list of Nominees selected by the Nominating Committee (in alphabetical order):

Gila Aizer, Robi Hagooli, Hesky Haim, Danny Jiji, Abe Maslavi, Orly Maslavi, Liza Nathan, Diana Sheena, Osnat (Basha) Sofer, Nathan Yadgar

 Note: Each valid ballot must select exactly seven (7) trustee positions; ballots with more or fewer than 7 trustees, will be disregarded.

In addition, our By-laws (Article VIII, Section 4) provide an opportunity for members to include themselves or other members to the ballot as an "Independent Nomination". To make an Independent Nomination, written request must be received by the Chairman of the Nominating Committee no later than 45 days prior  to the election date (no later than April 1, 2010) at the following address: Fred Jiji, 22 Russell Woods Road, Great Neck, NY 11021. The request must include the name and address of the Independent Nominee, a statement signed by the nominee acknowledging the nomination, as well as a minimum of thirty (30) signatures from current members endorsing the nomination. To ensure receipt of your Independent Nomination or if you have questions regarding the nominations process, please call Fred Jiji at (516) 466-5116.

 I take the opportunity to acknowledge the Nominating Committee for their hard work and commitment.  The Nominating Committee has fulfilled their duty by searching out enthusiastic motivated members to contribute wholeheartedly to our heritage-filled Iraqi-Jewish community by helping to manage our beloved synagogue.  I also wish to thank the nominees that have graciously accepted an essential role on the ballot.  These positions are crucial to develop structures that will ensure that the community will prosper in the years ahead.  Furthermore, I urge all members to support the nominees and to cooperate with the Board, so together we may carry out our delicate mission of preserving and growing our community.

 Sincerely,

 Fred Jiji
Chairman of the BJC Nominating Committee  

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Election Day & Annual Meeting
May 16, 2010
Minutes of Meeting

The purpose of the Congregation is to create an environment aimed at preservation, promotion and continuation of the culture, tradition and identity of the Babylonian Jewish Heritage through religious, social and educational means.

 Meeting started at 12:45 pm
Members signed in
Introduction by Lana Bakhash
Presentations:
Rabbi Nir Shalom  (chief Rabbi)
Albert Nassim (previous President) – speech was sent by email to members
Eliyahou Shamash (Treasurer) – We had expenses of $328,000 ($305,000 operating and $23,000 for the building permit).  We have a CD of $67,000 and savings of $439,000 for a total of $506,000 which is reserved for the extension.  We have $70,000 in the bank which will carry us until the end of July.  We have 52 members who have paid $60,000 up to date and we have another $70,000 in receivables.  We are grateful to have had a donation of $20,000 from the Joury family which helped a lot.  Even though the economy is down, we are up. 
Eliyahou said that although he has been a member in many synagogues around the world, this is the best.
Alice Aboody (Sisterhood Chairperson) spoke about the expansion and how it is an investment in our heritage and for the future. 
Lana Bakhash (reading of the bylaw addendum)  The addendum to the bylaws was passed to all present and also was emailed in advance.  Lana made a motion to accept the 8 items on the addendum and Alice Aboody seconded it.  The motion passed unanimously.
Ballot counting & results – Michael Dallal, Danny Koukou, and Kelly Koukou were thanked for volunteering to do the counting of the ballots.

Results of the Election
President: Ronnie Rabbie
First Vice President:  Ronny Ben-Josef
Second Vice President:  Eddie Nassim
Executive Officer:  Morris Bakhash
Secretary:  Natalie Mashaal
Treasurer:  Eliahou Shamash

Honorary Chairman of the Board:  Albert Nassim
Board of Advisors:  Shlomo Bakhash,  Edeed Ben-Josef, Albert Nassim
President of Religious Committee:  Joe Ezra
Board of Trustees (4 year term):  Gila Aizer, Hesky Haim, Abe Maslavi, Orly Maslavi, Liza Nathan
Board of Trustees (2 year term):  Alice Aboody, Elias Hawa, Danny Jiji, Anis Shashou, Yadgar

We thank the following people who volunteered as nominees but weren’t elected:  Robi Hagooli,  Diana Sheena, Osnat (Basha) Sofer