Beth Shalom

To perform our mission each of us must contribute financial support at an appropriate level. If we all had similar incomes, if we all had similar demands on our resources, if we all had similar plans for the future, everything would be simple. However, the reality is more complex. Thus, the Board has developed a Basic Membership Giving Plan presented in the table below. Even with this plan the Board recognizes that while some people cannot afford the Basic Membership Giving Levels, other people can afford more. The board believes we can strike a balance, but the process relies on each of us to honestly assess our financial situations. Such an assessment along with prompt payment of pledges will help build a healthy congregation and a strong community in which anyone can participate.

Basic Membership Giving Levels

Our fiscal year runs July-June. Depending on when you join during our fiscal year you may have the option of prorating your donation. Basic Membership Giving represents only a portion of what is required to cover operations. In the first 5 years of membership your building maintenance fee contribution is $400 per year and $250 per year thereafter. If you have been a member in another congregation and have paid your building fund obligation in full, with appropriate documentation, you will be responsible for the $250 per year building maintenance fee.

FOR CONGREGANTS WHO CAN AFFORD TO PAY BASIC MEMBERSHIP ONLY, you can choose to pay annually, semiannually, quarterly or monthly with an optional automatic bank draft.

FOR CONGREGANTS WHO CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY BASIC MEMBERSHIP, please contact the Treasurer, President or President-Elect. These individuals make up our Special Needs Committee and maintain the strictest confidence. We consider all family special needs on a case by case basis. All arrangements made for reduced dues must be paid via automatic bank draft or in full with the pledge form.

FOR CONGREGANTS WHO CAN AFFORD TO PAY MORE THAN THE BASIC MEMBERSHIP, the board has established a Suggested Giving Level. The Suggested Giving Level helps balance the financial scales so that any potential member, regardless of income, has the opportunity to join Beth Shalom. Please consider contributing according to the table provided below:

Religious School Fees

Religious school fees are separate from synagogue support. For your child(ren) to participate in Religious School, you must be a member in-good-standing of the synagogue. Please see the Beth Shalom Educational Curriculum and Programs Handout available in the Prospective Member Packet or on our website for more information about the Religious School Program. Specific information about the curriculum and school activities is available through the Education Director and in our School Handbook. Please contact the office if you would like this information.

Oneg Shabbat

It is the policy of Beth Shalom Congregation that each member family assists in providing a minimum of one Friday night Oneg Shabbat annually. If you are unable to assist in Oneg you will be assessed a $25 fee to help defray costs.

Members who feel they may fall behind on their membership support payments should contact the Treasurer, President or President-Elect. They will try to accommodate any member who has genuine difficulty making these payments. However, only congregants who pay on time will be considered members in-good-standing. It is important to understand that terminating a membership is a last resort. It occurs only after all other reasonable attempts fail to resolve a delinquent account.

Questions: If you have any questions about your financial obligations, the

,

or

listed below welcome your call: