This brochure is brought to you by Project Welcome with thanks to: “Our Tax for Jewish Citizenship – Dues and Financial Policy” by Rabbi Shawn Zevit and Malamy, www.jrf.org/cong/res-mcl-dues.html. DO I HAVE TO

Project Welcome offers a new “gift” like this one each PAY TO PRAY? month.

CLICK ON THE GIFT at www.ProjectWelcome.org Synagogue Membership and Dues: Frequently Asked Questions

PROJECT WELCOME Karen Kushner, M.S.W., Director Shira Butler, Program Associate 235 Montgomery Street, Suite 1120 San Francisco, CA 94104-3304 “To be part of a community, to shape it, and to Phone: 888-756-8242 Fax: 415-392-1182 strengthen it is the most urgent, the most vital E-mail: [email protected] obligation facing the Jewish individual.” —Elie Wiesel

8 Have synagogues always charged dues? What Is Outreach? And what is Project Welcome?

Jewish communities have always been self- Outreach is a Jewish community effort to welcome supporting, whether they were part of an those seeking a stronger connection to Judaism: independent commonwealth or within the bounds of Jews-by-Choice, interfaith couples and families, a ruling nation, by charging a tithe, or a ten percent parents of interfaith married children, and everyone tax. The Torah teaches, “You shall set aside every interested in knowing more about Judaism. year a tenth part of all the yield of your sowing that is brought from the field” (Deuteronomy 14:22). Outreach does not seek to convert non-Jewish individuals. Rather, it enables them to explore, study, The tithes, or ma’aserot, were given to the Levites, and come to understand Judaism, thereby providing the tribe in charge of the Temple and the ancient an atmosphere of support in which a comfortable ritual practices. Because the Levites were unable to relationship with Judaism can be fostered. grow food, they were supported by the community. “And to the Levites I hereby give all the tithes in Israel as their share in return for the service that they Project Welcome is an outreach program welcoming perform,” (Numbers 18:21). “But do not neglect the interfaith families, unaffiliated Jews and seekers into [family of the] Levite in your community, for he has Independent, Renewal, Reconstructionist, Reform no hereditary portion as you have” (Deuteronomy and Conservative synagogues. 14:27).

Why does synagogue membership cost money?

Today, we can think of the synagogue staff as the modern equivalent of the Levites and Kohanes, or priests, of ancient Israel. Congregations need a spiritual leader, usually a rabbi, to perform religious services and ceremonies and to provide guidance. The executive directors and administrators are the modern day Levites who maintain the synagogue. In return for providing these services, the community supports their synagogue staff.

2 7 to pay the full membership amount, contact the synagogue office for information. Each Synagogues also depend on membership dues to congregation has a different method of handling pay for programs and upkeep of the facility. In other financial questions, but all have a process for words, in order for any one service to exist during the members who are unable to pay the standard rate. year, clergy, educators, school supplies, utilities, food Some will simply ask how much you can contribute and much more must be paid for by the entire annually or monthly, others may ask you to have a community. personal consultation with a staff or board member to determine the best contribution. Why should I join a synagogue? I can get most of the Please, do not let embarrassment or guilt stop you benefits without paying for membership. from joining a synagogue. No one wants to make you feel uncomfortable. Jewish law prohibits causing It is possible to attend services and pay embarrassment or shame to another person. The non-member fees for classes and High Holy Day teaches, “One who whitens his friend's face tickets and never become a member. People join a [i.e. puts him to shame] in public has no share in The synagogue in order to become part of a community World to Come. The whitening of the face is a subtle of values where people care for each other through form of murder” ( Bava Metzia 58b & 59a). times of celebration and sorrow. They choose to support these values with their money and their Many people do not pay the full requested amount energy. at some point in their lifetime. It is common for synagogues to offer membership as a gift to Paying membership dues to a synagogue is different newlyweds or senior citizens on a limited income who than a pay-for-service system, like a health club are often unable to manage the dues. Be sure to ask where one pays only for the services chosen. Like the about options when you find a congregation that taxes one pays to the county and state, synagogue interests you. dues are not for specific services. Becoming a member and paying dues are acts of commitment to the community. In a time of crisis, synagogue communities offer counseling and support. At times of joy, congregations come together to celebrate.

6 3 How are membership dues determined? occasion such as a wedding, birth, bar mitzvah, graduation, or in memoriam of a loved one at their There are several ways that synagogues determine yartzeit, the anniversary of their death. Synagogues how to charge membership dues. It is important to may offer engraved plaques displayed in the note that synagogues count membership by synagogue to honor or memorialize your donation. households. Usually the cost of religious school is billed separately. Why do synagogues sell tickets to High Holy Day Fixed Rate In this system, the congregation sets a services? dollar amount for each member household. Ask about lower rates for single members and single Charging for tickets to the High Holy Day services is parents. simply a different form of tithing the community. The worship services are free but they can only take Fair Share This system more closely resembles place because there is financial support from a tithing by charging a percentage of annual community that pays the rent, utilities, salaries and all income ranging from one to three percent. Some that is needed to create the worship experience. For synagogues have a sliding scale so that higher non-members, a portion of these costs are included income households pay a higher percentage. in the price of the tickets. Synagogue membership includes the cost of High Holy Day tickets.

Why don’t synagogues use collection baskets and During the High Holy Days, it is also quite common for take donations like churches? congregations to put donation envelopes in the lobby and inside the machzorim, High Holy Day To a person who has not participated in synagogue prayer books. In this way, those in attendance who life, membership dues may seem like a foreign feel moved by the holiday liturgy or the sermon can concept for a religious institution but Jewish law take the envelope home and mail in a donation. forbids carrying or exchanging money on Shabbat, the Sabbath. What if I can’t afford the cost of membership? Synagogues do take donations at other times. Donations can be made to general funds or to Synagogues are interested in welcoming you to the specific funds, such as a scholarship. Many people community. Long term membership means you are make donations in honor of a simcha, a joyous part of the community, rich or poor. If you are unable

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