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Do You Know What Mitzvah Membership Is?

As Jews, we will never consider turning away some­one who wants to join our Congregation or worship with us simply because he is unable to meet the financial obligations of membership.

Several years ago under the leadership of Michael Siegel, as President, we embarked on our Mitzvah Membership program. It was recognized that there are periods in our members’ lives when full dues payment is just not possible. As a congregation, we never ever want to turn anyone away for financial reasons. We often must make confidential ar­rangements to postpone or re-schedule dues payments, or to temporarily reduce dues levels for families who cannot afford full dues. We also provide education in our religious school at a reduced level or at no cost when there is real financial need. We have never stopped adhering to this philosophy.

So what is Mitzvah Membership?

We ask members who have been able to support full dues to consider helping defray the cost to the synagogue, of the finan­cial arrangements we make for those who are not so fortunate. Any family wishing to become a Mitzvah Member is asked to supplement their full dues by $613. This dollar amount, of course, reflects the number of mitzvot that the Jewish people are commanded to observe and the rabbis tell us that this form of giving is the highest level of tzedekah we can attain as Jews.

In the past fiscal year we had approximately 35 Mitzvah Members. These generous individuals and families provide an additional $21,000 in annual funds.

In May our members will receive their 2006/2007 dues bills. When yours comes in the mail, please carefully consider whether you can stretch a bit and become a Mitzvah Mem­ber. By doing so you will, in a very tangible way, help us to keep our priorities clear and our doors open to everyone who wants to join us in prayer and in participation.

If you have questions about Mitzvah Membership, please contact Susan Singer, Financial Secretary, or Steve Stein, President. You can be assured that your gift will be greatly appreciated and is a true mitzvah in its greatest sense.