Honesty (Yosher)
Congregation Rodef Sholom expects all who engage in our community to conduct themselves in an honest manner.
- We promote open and honest communication that allows for addressing differences constructively.
- We shall conduct all financial affairs with complete honesty and integrity and refrain from financial impropriety (e.g., embezzlement, nonpayment of just debts, inappropriate use of restricted funds, or tax evasion).
- We protect the confidentiality of privileged information, either about an individual or the synagogue, and do not disclose it without permission. For example, this includes personnel information such as employment status, compensation, and performance review, as well as personal information about an individual’s health, financial status, or family matters.
- We respect the efforts of others and do not take credit for their work.
- We recognize, respect, and protect the intellectual property rights of our synagogue and others.
- We obey copyright laws governing the use and distribution of published materials.
- We make decisions regarding synagogue-related matters with transparency, openness and accountability, unless confidentiality dictates otherwise.
Conflicts of Interest
Synagogue partners should avoid conflicts of interest and the appearance of conflicts of interest. Those in positions of authority and influence, including members of the Board, officers, and staff members, must conduct all congregational business in a manner that is morally, ethically, and fiscally of the highest order and can bear public scrutiny at all times. Decisions of the Board, officers, and staff must always be guided by the policies of the synagogue and in its best interests. Actions should not be influenced by personal considerations or the appearance of such factors.
- A transaction in which a synagogue partner or a close family member has a direct or indirect interest, financial or otherwise, in the outcome of any transaction or matter involving the synagogue.
- Considerations or competing interests exist, real or perceived, for an interested partner, other than the best interests of the synagogue.
- A situation in which a synagogue partner has a relationship with other parties that might reasonably be expected to affect the conduct of the congregant or staff member in a manner inconsistent with the overriding duty he or she has to advance the interest of the synagogue.
When acting on behalf of the synagogue, a congregant or staff member should not, without full disclosure and appropriate approvals from relevant synagogue leaders:
- Divulge or release proprietary or confidential information about the synagogue, its deliberations, or congregants and staff members.
- Obtain personal advantage or benefit due to one’s synagogue position.
- Use the synagogue’s property or resources for personal benefit.
Confidentiality
Confidentiality involves preserving information, especially as it pertains to personal or private information about congregants, employees, volunteers, and business and financial data of the synagogue.
- Protect information to which we have access by way of a “need-to-know” to support our professional roles in the congregation, including personnel information related to employment status or progression, compensation, performance management, etc.
- Discourage the seeking of employment-related information about others.
- Refrain from speculation about other congregants’ personal situations (e.g., health, financial difficulty, marital problems).
- Refrain from sharing, even with family members, information obtained in confidence (e.g., in an executive session of a board meeting).
- It is especially important to prevent inadvertent and untimely release of candidate names and prior employment details.
- Congregants should demonstrate respect, professionalism, and good judgment when using technology such as the internet, email, texting, social media, and other electronic communications.
