Board Meeting Highlights
Board Meetings with Noteworthy Actions since January 2020
January 28, 2020
- Convened first annual meeting under newly adopted bylaws
- Formally elected the previously serving Board members for 1-3 year terms as outlined under the bylaws
- Elected Chaim Oster, President; Charlie Saul, Vice President; Yonasan Sanford, Treasurer; and Chaya Engle, Secretary
- Discussed an expanded future role for Rabbi Yossi Rosenblum
- Approved a salary adjustment for Rabbi Chezky Rosenfeld
- Elected Skip Grinberg to the Board
- Discussed the future consideration of the Syntagma, 5-year strategic plan
February 25, 2020
- Decided to hire Rabbi Rosenblum as Yeshiva’s next CEO and approved the outline of the terms for his contract
- Approved changes to the bylaws
- Received a fiscal update
March 25, 2020
- Approved in principle the entire Syntagma, 5-year strategic plan
- Received update on the response to the COVID-19 pandemic
- Received a fiscal update
April 28, 2020
- Discussed aspects of the response to the COVOD-19 pandemic including the application for a PPP loan, changes to tuition and fees, employee retention, and a letter to be sent to the community
- Approved the Board’s committee structure
- Authorized a loan from KeyBank
- Approved the appointment of Chaya Engle as the Board’s Chief Compliance Officer and the major terms of her employment contract
May 19, 2020
- Received brief committee updates
- Discussed making the tuition benefit the same for all Yeshiva employees and including non-teaching shluchim in the community scholarship process (Both proposals were subsequently approved by the Revenue Committee.)
- Added Eytan Rosenthal to the Scholarship Committee
June 30, 2020
- Approved two agreements governing the fiscal separation of Yeshiva Schools and Lubavitch Center and the future cooperative relationship between the organizations
- Approved future compensation packages for Rabbi and Mrs. Yisroel Rosenfeld
July 21, 2020
- Received update on the plans for a virtual annual dinner
- Approved the 2020-2021 budget
- Elected Lior Shkedi and Sruli Altein to the Board
August 6, 2020
- Received update on the work of the Investment Committee
- Discussed options in collaboration with Lubavitch Center for accommodating the daily minyanim in the setting of COVID restrictions
September 8, 2020
- Received a set of updates from the new CEO, Rabbi Yossi Rosenblum
- Received brief committee updates
September 16, 2020
- Discussed disagreement with Lubavitch Center over some aspects of the fiscal separation previously approved
- Discussed collaboration with Lubavitch Center on the pursuit of a grant from the Walder Foundation
October 20, 2020
- Decided to move all of Yeshiva’s endowment funds to management by Federation’s investment foundation
- Approved parsonage awards
- Elected Yosef Hashimi to the Board
November 24, 2020
- Received a budget update
- Approved the acquisition and renovation of a new property at 411 Greenfield Avenue in Greenfield
- Reviewed plan for bringing parsonage payments into IRS compliance as recently clarified by Yeshiva’s treasurer, Yonasan Sanford
- Discontinued the practice of paying the tuition of children of employees with pre-tax dollars in order to achieve IRS compliance as recently clarified by Yeshiva’s treasurer, Yonasan Sanford
December 22, 2020
- Received an update on academic excellence from Rabbi Rosenblum
- Elected Sruli Richler to the Board
January 13, 2021
- Authorized Rabbi Rosenblum and Chaim Oster to negotiate and execute a purchase-and-sale agreement for the purchase of the property at 411 Greenfield Avenue at an increased amount
- Authorized Rabbi Rosenblum and Chaim Oster to negotiate and execute a purchase-and-sale agreement for selling Yeshiva’s property at 1700 Beechwood to Chabad of Squirrel Hill at the price Yeshiva Schools paid for the property plus customary fees
- Approved application for a second PPP loan
January 27, 2021
- Conducted its annual meeting under the bylaws for the review “of general organization, the election of Directors and Officers, the designation of committees and the consideration of any other business that may properly be brought before the meeting”
- Undertook a budget review
- Agreed to sell, transfer, or assign B’Nai Emunoh’s building and cemeteries to its ownership
February 17, 2021
- Received an update on academic excellence from Rabbi Yossi Rosenblum and Dr. Danelle Connor
- Decided tuition rates for 2021-22 school year
- Approved changes to the Scholarship Committee including the election of Miriam Shkedi and Adina Waren
- Elected Izzy Rudolph and Sharon Cooper to the Board
March 17, 2021
- Approved an investment policy as drafted by the Investment Committee
- Received an update on the purchase of the property at 411 Greenfield Avenue
April 28, 2021
- Received an update on the Vaad Hachinuch by Rabbi Sruli Altein
- Approved seeking an increase in Yeshiva’s EIDL loan. The actual execution of the increased loan will need approval by the Revenue and Budget Committees.
- Approved an Addendum under the Perpetual Cooperation Agreement and an agreement for the release of the Shapiro insurance payment. The two agreements clarified with Lubavitch Center details of the fiscal separation of the two organizations.
May 26, 2021
- Received fiscal and operational updates from Rabbi Yossi Rosenblum
- Approved seeking a line-of-credit from S&T bank to refinance its current loan with KeyBank and to finance the initial purchase and renovation of 411 Greenfield Avenue
July 1, 2021
- Received an update on the purchase of 411 Greenfield Avenue
- Agreed to budget PPP#2 as “Other Income” in the 2021-22 budget
- Agreed to offer and subsidize healthcare insurance for full-time employees for the 2021-22 school year
August 1, 2021
- Received an update on the actions taken in response to the most recent audit by Sisterson & Co. LLP
- Approved the budget for the 2021-22 fiscal year
- Reviewed Rabbi Rosenblum’s operational plan for the 2021-22 school year
- Received an update on the capital campaign and the general strategy for renovating the 411 Greenfield campus
- Authorized Rabbi Rosenblum and Chaim Oster to negotiate and execute a purchase-and-sale agreement for a house across the street from the 411 Greenfield campus
- Discussed the end-of-year annual review of Rabbi Rosenblum
October 6, 2021
- Received an update on various, previously authorized real estate transactions
- Received an update on The Keystone Campaign and the renovations of the Charles Morris campus
- Authorized seeking to increase the EIDL loan to $2 million
- Authorized seeking a loan against the future payments by the Charles Morris Trust
- Authorized Rabbi Rosenblum and Chaim Oster to negotiate and execute a purchase-and-sale agreement and a mortgage for an apartment building on Greenfield Avenue
- Elected Dr. Barry Segal to the Board
December 8, 2021
- Received an overview of the Wellness Center from Dr. Madeline Nassida
- Reviewed and discussed the fiscal budget to date and cash-on-hand projection
- Received an update on the renovation of the Charles Morris Campus and the fundraising of The Keystone Campaign
- Approved Bylaws amendments regarding the election of Directors and Officers and the membership and functions of the Executive Committee
February 8, 2022
- Elected Izzy Rudolph as Vice President and Yosef Hashimi as Treasurer
- Elected Chaya Cowen as a Board member
- Reviewed and discussed the current cash-on-hand projection and the planned Charidy campaign
- Received an update on the renovation of the Charles Morris Campus and the fundraising of The Keystone Campaign
- Approved TELC tuition changes for the 2022-23 school year
- Discussed mediation sought by Lubavitch Center leadership over the designation of certain donations
March 1, 2022
- Reviewed and discussed the current budget and cash-on-hand projection; the planned Charidy campaign; and an anticipated, large donation
- Received an update on the renovation of the Charles Morris Campus and the fundraising of The Keystone Campaign
- Received an update on changes to the Girls’ School Administration
- Approved changes to the scholarship program for high school students
- Discussed the strategy for upcoming mediation sought by Lubavitch Center leadership over the designation of certain donations
May 3, 2022
- Reviewed and discussed the current budget and cash-on-hand projection, the success of the Charidy campaign, and planned budget cuts
- Received an update on the renovation of the Charles Morris Campus and the fundraising of The Keystone Campaign
- Approved changes to the scholarship program for all students
- Received an update on the unsuccessful mediation sought by Lubavitch Center leadership over the designation of certain donations
- Informed of changes to the compensation of Rabbi Yisroel and Mrs. Blumi Rosenfeld as approved by the Executive Committee
July 13, 2022
- Received an update on the renovation of the Charles Morris Campus and the fundraising of The Keystone Campaign
- Reviewed and discussed the current cash-on-hand projection, the effort to secure a stopgap loan, and discussions with Jewish Federation on the timing of EITC distributions
- Received an update from Rabbi Rosenblum on various academic initiatives including changes to the administration, accreditation, a boys 12th grade, and the recruitment and retention of teachers
- Approved an amendment removing the Chief Operating Officer position from the Bylaws
- Received an update on pending proceedings over the designation of certain donations and changes to the compensation of Rabbi Yisroel and Mrs. Blumi Rosenfeld
August 22, 2022
- Reviewed and discussed the current cash-on-hand and budget projections
- Discussed the future of the role of Chief Operating Officer
- Received an update on pending proceedings over the designation of certain donations, the shared use of the 2100 Wightman campus, changes to the compensation of Rabbi Yisroel and Mrs. Blumi Rosenfeld, and governance issues
October 25, 2022
- Reviewed and discussed the current cash-on-hand and budget projections
- Received an operational update from Rabbi Rosenblum on various academic initiatives
- Discussed plans for the operation of Camp Gan Izzy
- Elected Itcha Glassner as a member of the Board
- Discussed Board participation in fundraising initiatives
- Received an update on the recent Din Torah regarding compensation of Rabbi Yisroel and Mrs. Blumi Rosenfeld and the upcoming proceedings over the designation of certain donations, the shared use of the 2100 Wightman campus, and governance issues
December 6, 2022
- Reviewed and discussed the current cash-on-hand and budget projections
- Received an operational update from Rabbi Rosenblum on various academic initiatives and the restructuring of the business office
- Reviewed and approved parsonage amounts for staff
- Discussed Board participation in fundraising initiatives
- Received an update on the recent arbitration decision regarding the designation of certain donations and the shared use of the 2100 Wightman campus
- Discussed collaboration with Merkos on governance issues
January 24, 2023
- Completed conflict-of-interest declarations
- Reviewed and discussed the current cash-on-hand and budget projections
- Received an operational update from Rabbi Rosenblum on the Charidy campaign, student disenrollment from secular studies, and recruitment/retention of teachers
- Approved changes to the scholarship process and the tuition-and-fee schedule for the 2023-24 school year
- Reelected Chaim Oster as President and Board member, Chaya Engle as Secretary and Board member, and Skip Grinberg as Board member
- Received an update on the arbitration regarding the designation of certain donations and shared use of the 2100 Wightman campus
- Discussed collaboration with Merkos on governance issues
March 21, 2023
- Reviewed and discussed the current cash-on-hand and budget projections
- Received an operational update from Rabbi Rosenblum on outreach to alumni, end-of-year event, and adding CCIS in the elementary school
- Received an update on the arbitration regarding the designation of certain donations and shared use of the 2100 Wightman campus
- Discussed collaboration with Merkos on governance issues
May 17, 2023
- Approved an equal opportunity policy
- Reviewed and discussed the current cash-on-hand and budget projections
- Received an operational update from Rabbi Rosenblum on the end-of-year event, adding CCIS in the elementary school, administrative changes, modifications to the scholarship award process, recruitment/retention of teachers, and recruitment of out-of-town students
- Received an update on the final arbitration decision regarding the designation of certain donations and shared use of the 2100 Wightman campus
July 10, 2023
- Reelected Lior Shkedi to the Board
- Reviewed and discussed the current cash-on-hand and budget projections and discussed the proposed 2023-24 budget
- Received operational updates from Rabbi Rosenblum
- Discussed the ongoing disputes regarding the designation of certain funds and the shared use of 2100 Wightman
- Approved the rehiring of Rabbi Rosenblum as Head of School
July 20, 2023
- Discussed the next steps after Rabbi Shuchat’s resignation as the arbitrator between Yeshiva Schools and Lubavitch Center
July 30, 2023
- Discussed legal strategies in pending disputes
- Reviewed and discussed the current cash-on-hand projections
August 9, 2023
- Approved amendments to the Bylaws
- Discussed legal strategies in pending disputes
- Reviewed and discussed the current cash-on-hand projections
August 16, 2023
- Discussed legal strategies in pending disputes
- Reviewed Rabbi Rosenblum’s plans with his shaliach status
August 20, 2023
- Held a training session with Mr. Henry Posner, Board member of the Independent School Chairperson Association (ICSA)
- Approved amendments to the Bylaws
- Received operational updates from Rabbi Rosenblum
- Approved the 2023-24 budget
- Discussed legal strategies in pending disputes
- Approved the creation of a President’s Advisory Committee
August 28, 2023
- Discussed legal strategies in pending disputes
- Discussed cash-on-hand projections
- Discussed next steps in the creation of a President’s Advisory Committee
October 25, 2023
- Received a message from Todd Rosenfeld, Board member of Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh
- Reelected Yosef Hashimi to the Board
- Approved amendments to the Bylaws
- Approved changes to the Board’s committees
- Received operational updates from Rabbi Rosenblum
- Received updates on the creation of the President’s Advisory Committee and the hiring of a fundraiser
- Received financial updates
- Discussed legal strategies in pending disputes
December 5, 2023
- Received operational updates from Rabbi Rosenblum
- Received financial updates from Yosef Hashimi
- Discussed the recent unity letter sent by Rabbis Rosenblum and Rosenfeld.
February 26, 2024
- Reelected Sharon Cooper and Izzy Rudolph to the Board
- Elected Shmuel Huebner to the Board
- Approved tuition policies including tuition and fees, the community scholarship formula, and the out-of-town scholarship formula
- Received operational updates from Rabbi Rosenblum
- Received financial updates from Yosef Hashimi
- Discussed the disputes in light of the recent unity letter sent by Rabbis Rosenblum and Rosenfeld
March 27, 2024
- Received operational updates from Rabbi Rosenblum
- Received financial updates from Yosef Hashimi
- Discussed the disputes in light of the unity letter sent by Rabbis Rosenblum and Rosenfeld
May 5, 2024
- Discussed a recent federal regulation on the use of pronouns in schools receiving federal funds
- Discussed hiring a fundraiser
- Received operational updates from Rabbi Rosenblum
- Received financial updates from Yosef Hashimi
- Discussed the disputes in light of the unity letter sent by Rabbis Rosenblum and Rosenfeld
June 25, 2024
- Approved the sale of the 2120 Wightman Street dorm to Friends of Yeshiva, LLC
- Received operational updates from Rabbi Rosenblum
- Received financial updates from Yosef Hashimi
- Discussed the disputes in light of the unity letter sent by Rabbis Rosenblum and Rosenfeld
