The Shomrei fiscal year is half over. We already 15 new member families joining our community in the first half of this year (since June). Our membership VP, Allison Task, has assigned Shomrei Ambassadors to each new family to welcome them into the community. Many of these new members have already participated with MESH, the Park Street Band, and social events and are committed to our community.
Financially, based on December projections, we are expecting to come in slightly ahead of the budget. Membership pledges showed a slight decrease over last year; however, a generous family matched pledge increases of 10% or more. This allowed us to have a stable budget from the previous year. In addition, several community events that would have come from the budget were instead sponsored by generous donors. Both revenues and expenses have increased this year by 3% so we continue to be on target but we will be monitoring very closely. So, we’re breaking even – that’s good and fulfilling a board promise! The goal of sustaining share is to be self-sustaining, since we can not, nor should not, build our annual budget on sponsorships that may not continue. We hope overall pledges will increase next year. As our congregation grows, so do the expenses.
Saturday Shabbat School, Hinei Ma Tov (family service), and @nourish (Shabbat learning for adults) are accomplishing the goals established at the beginning of the year. The building is lively and full on Saturdays, with Kiddush lunch having become an intergenerational event. One of our new members said to me, “I always wanted a synagogue like this, I just did not think it existed.” Saturday is still work in progress, and we have had some kinks, but we are committed to make Shabbat the central day of the week, for all.
You may not have noticed, but much needed repairs are underway. Marc Chalom, VP for Building and Grounds has been very busy! New carpeting has been laid in the social hall, something that has been postponed for seven years. The dance floor has been fixed and shined up with a new coat of varnish. We have had tremendous flooding issues on the first floor near the library and hallway for some time, but hopefully not any longer. The window casings have been repaired/replaced. The flat roof, which has been leaking, is also being repaired. I know other repairs are needed, and Marc will be doing what needs to be done based on priority and budget.
We have a busy winter/spring second half of the year with several religious and social programs. Our Annual Dinner Dance, this year called: Menches and Martinis, on March 4, will honor Rich Epstein and Susan Lazev and promises to will be a fun night. Organizers June Zimmerman and Liza Cohn and their committee are working hard to ensure a fantastic party for all. Quiz Night is back, by popular demand, on February 11, thanks to organizers Sara Ann and Howie Erichson and Gregg Rapaport. We are also fortunate to have a chance at establishing a partnership with a Masorti community in Israel called Kfar Vradim through a program called Rav Si’ach (“Open Discussion”). Their new rabbi, Nathalie Lastreger, will be visiting Shomrei on February 22 for dinner and discussion (stay tuned for more details). The Purim celebration will begin March 11 with the Purim carnival on March 12.
Please mark your calendars. Lots of happenings for people of all ages.
- What are you doing for Shabbat? - Thu, Feb 15, 2024
- MESH Report January 23, 2024 - Thu, Jan 25, 2024
- MESH Report October 24 2023 - Thu, Oct 26, 2023
How wonderful! I was speaking with a colleague who is on the board of Agudah (?) in West Orange and he’s heard the buzz — our sustaining share model and how it’s helping us to grow and be more inclusive as a synagogue. It’s always a pleasure to hear good buzz from our neighbors!
And may I echo your shout out to Marc Cholom! Wow, wow, wow. He’s done so much, and I feel more confident that our space is getting the care it needs.
I look forward to continued good things for Shomrei, and increasing the “Shalom Ha Bayit” of our shared home.