August 2011
Let’s talk about money. The dues statements for the upcoming year were recently sent to all our members. Observing the responses, I see three categories.
1. The dues are to high
2. The dues are just right
3. The dues are too low.
In our Congregation we have members who cannot afford the dues and other members who can afford to pay higher dues. To those of you who are in a situation where you cannot afford the dues, please contact me.
We can adjust your dues on a sliding scale based on ability to pay. We can set up a monthly payment schedule. Some members volunteer services in lieu of payment. There is no reason to resign your membership if the dues are a hardship, we can work something out.
To those of you who can pay the dues, thank you, we need it.
To those of you who can afford more, I have a suggestion. Be an Angel and pay the dues of a member who cannot. As in any family, we help each other. Please contact me with an offer to pay the dues of a member who is in a difficult financial situation. This would be a blessing for all. A great Mitzvah for the donor, a big help to B’nai Israel and a reminder to the donee that the Jewish Community is a loving family that is there for each other. Also, the day may come when circumstances change and the donor cannot afford the dues and the donee can be the Angel.
The Board of Directors presented the annual budget at the recent Congregational meeting. This budget is as tight as can be. We operate mostly on the volunteer efforts of our members and keep our expenses to the minimum. Waste not, want not. Compared to synagogue dues elsewhere, our dues are low. A big reason for the low dues is that our building is paid for and we have no mortgage. Other Shuls must include mortgage payments in the dues. Many thanks to the generation that came before us and gave us a paid-for building. What our dues pay for is to keep the lights on and the water running, heat in the winter and air in the summer. Most important, we are blessed to have a great Rabbi to be our spiritual leader. When you look at the dues statement, remember, this is less than what we need to maintain and operate Congregation B’nai Israel. That is why we have fundraisers throughout the year to balance the budget. We must all do what we can to maintain out Jewish Community. Thank you.
Fred Zola
1. The dues are to high
2. The dues are just right
3. The dues are too low.
In our Congregation we have members who cannot afford the dues and other members who can afford to pay higher dues. To those of you who are in a situation where you cannot afford the dues, please contact me.
We can adjust your dues on a sliding scale based on ability to pay. We can set up a monthly payment schedule. Some members volunteer services in lieu of payment. There is no reason to resign your membership if the dues are a hardship, we can work something out.
To those of you who can pay the dues, thank you, we need it.
To those of you who can afford more, I have a suggestion. Be an Angel and pay the dues of a member who cannot. As in any family, we help each other. Please contact me with an offer to pay the dues of a member who is in a difficult financial situation. This would be a blessing for all. A great Mitzvah for the donor, a big help to B’nai Israel and a reminder to the donee that the Jewish Community is a loving family that is there for each other. Also, the day may come when circumstances change and the donor cannot afford the dues and the donee can be the Angel.
The Board of Directors presented the annual budget at the recent Congregational meeting. This budget is as tight as can be. We operate mostly on the volunteer efforts of our members and keep our expenses to the minimum. Waste not, want not. Compared to synagogue dues elsewhere, our dues are low. A big reason for the low dues is that our building is paid for and we have no mortgage. Other Shuls must include mortgage payments in the dues. Many thanks to the generation that came before us and gave us a paid-for building. What our dues pay for is to keep the lights on and the water running, heat in the winter and air in the summer. Most important, we are blessed to have a great Rabbi to be our spiritual leader. When you look at the dues statement, remember, this is less than what we need to maintain and operate Congregation B’nai Israel. That is why we have fundraisers throughout the year to balance the budget. We must all do what we can to maintain out Jewish Community. Thank you.
Fred Zola