Shomrei, By Congregants For Congregants

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The annual Sustaining Share Commitment Drive is about to begin. Shomrei Emunah’s membership model is different from other synagogues. We do not charge annual dues to be a member. Instead, we let our congregants know the cost of operating the synagogue, what it takes to sustain our community. We then ask them to think and reflect about what the synagogue means to themselves and their family and pledge accordingly.

At our annual membership meeting in May, we review the line item budget for approval, but what many people may not realize what their pledges support. The obvious is the operation of the building – electricity, heat and air conditioning (though we never seem to get the temperature right), postage, office supplies, light bulbs, cleaning supplies, snow plowing, landscape, general repairs, etc. We also need to pay our staff- Rabbi Greenstein, Executive Director Marge Wise, and custodians Laurence and Kevin. And lets not forgot our teachers led by Educational Directors Heather, Ayla and Lily.

I would like to also call out an additional important expense. Security. Over the recent weeks, there have been a number of bomb threats at Jewish Institutions. At its next meeting, the Board of Directors will be voting to approve the funds to enhance security in the building. Our greatest concern is that all who come into the building are safe – whether it is our children, our congregants, or our guests. This costs money.

Let me name a few other programs your pledge supports:

  • 3500 Kiddush lunches have been served
  • 36 JLC students and 6 STOM teens are enrolled in the JLC
  • 628 items have been borrowed from the Library
  • 928 meals have been served to through MESH
  • 8 families have been housed in association with IHN
  • 7 families who have lost a loved one have been provided with shiva meals

Though we do get some donations to help offset these costs, without funding from the general budget, these and many other programs would not be possible.

Thank you John Lasiter for a lobby display so our congregants can see all we do.

Yasher Koach to all for your support. When making your pledge, please reflect on what this community does everyday and what it takes to sustain our community.

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Image: “winning together” by dcJohn is licensed under CC BY 2.0

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