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Our house meetings to discuss the idea of changing from our current dues system to a Sustainable Membership Model ( I outlined the new model here) based on donations have been going great. There have been seven meetings so far and for the most part people are enthusiastic about exploring the new model, but, naturally concerned about the finances of the Temple moving forward. But rather than my reporting on the meetings, I thought you would be interested to hear reflections on the proposed new model from a congregant, Glen Markowitz. Glen is a new member of Temple’s Board of Trustees and hosted one of the house meetings.

Here is what Glen has to say: When I originally learned that the TBA Board of Directors was contemplating a switch from “dues” to “donations”, I thought the idea was crazy. In these complex times in which we have so many interests that compete for our attention and finances, how can we possibly consider the more optional “donations” concept? We hear so many people talk about the cost of living in Westchester and how it is compounded by the high cost of family travel, sleepaway camp, and TBA dues. Can you imagine if the cost of the less essential family vacation or sleepaway camp switched to a more flexible payment program? Over time, I have come to view the switch to “donations” more favorably, as there are quite a few good justifications for this approach. First, we have families who cannot afford the current dues structure and have the choice of going through the uncomfortable process of asking for a dues reduction or, even worse, discontinuing membership. We need to hold on to these members, and we also need to encourage those of greater financial means to do what they can to help the more modest. Since we already have a significant percentage of congregant families who are paying reduced dues and a fair number who are making contributions above and beyond, the basic concept of “dues to donations” is already occurring. Second, it really does feel better to donate. I grimace when we pay our annual dues, but feel good about contributing to the annual High Holiday fundraising campaign. Third, I am told that this approach has been carefully researched and has been successful elsewhere. Fourth, I am reassured to know that congregants will not receive an unstructured letter encouraging them to donate a random amount; instead, the annual contribution letter will clearly provide a sustaining level that the majority of families will hopefully target. Despite these considerations, I still consider the switch from “dues to donations” to be risky and worrisome. We are counting on our members to do what they can to sustain TBA. I believe the collective hope is that we will retain more members, bring in new families, and further engage our members in the TBA community. Only time will tell. For now, I offer one final consideration. I had a conversation with Rabbi Holtz a few years ago in which we discussed fundraising and I asked him how he would hope to use the proceeds of a successful fundraising campaign. Did he want to refurbish the social hall, the kitchen, or the lobby? Hire more staff? His immediate and unequivocal answer was that his first priority would be to retain members who could not afford to pay our dues, as this would serve to strengthen TBA and the larger Jewish community. I like the fact that “dues to donations” is reflective of this approach.

Greetings, everyone! It’s been a little while since I first wrote about our effort to take a look at our dues structure and see how it may be changed to better reflect the needs and interests of the congregation. Here is the post that began this conversation last year (for those interested in a refresher!)

We felt that it was time to look at remaking our financial relationship with our congregants. The two biggest negatives to our current model are its inflexibility and its effect of making belonging to our Temple community more of a commercial transaction rather than a generous donation.

Since that time the task force and board have had lots of conversations about this and now need your input. If you haven’t already, you will be receiving an invitation to a parlor meeting hosted by a congregant in the next few weeks. The purpose of the meetings is to provide context for why we feel that we need to change our financial structure and to ask for your input on a model for donations called Sustaining Membership Model. This is a model being tried by synagogues around the country and studied by Professor Dan Judson of Brandeis University (he has been advising us as well.) This idea isn’t unique to synagogues, public radio and other nonprofits have been using it for years.

Please come to a parlor meeting, either the one you get an invitation to or the meetings we will be having at temple on March 9th at 9 am and 11 am to hear more about the model and let us know what you think.

Our congregation is based on the power of generosity to uplift, educate, nurture and care for our congregants.   The Sustaining Membership Model is based on the same principles. We are hopeful that given choices, congregants will choose to be very generous to support our synagogue.

Thanks for your continued involvement in our synagogue’s ongoing journey.

Last fall we announced that we would create a task force to take a look at our dues structure and make recommendations for modifying them. Our group has met several times and it includes me, Michael Karnes, Alan Berkson, Karen Filler, Risa Swersey, Mel Savitch, Norm Jacobson, Patti Potash, and, of course, Rabbi David and Cantor Margot. Two things became very clear as we began to talk about dues: 1) Talking about dues is much more than a discussion of money. It really is the value we place on being a part of our temple community. And, 2) the concept of “dues” isn’t actually in the Torah! It is a construct of modern, American Judaism that turned participation in temple life into a financial obligation, more like paying a bill than giving a donation to a cause. The bottom line (pun intended) right now is that we welcome everyone regardless of their financial circumstances, and some families donate quite a bit more than their dues every year (thank you!), however, dues feel overwhelming high to too many families who would like to stay connected to temple but don’t feel that they can afford to do so.

Something has to change.

The second issue has had a profound impact on the way that many families think about Judaism and participation in Jewish life. Generally, we react to institutions based on the way we are treated; and for too long, we’ve treated congregants like life cycle payers. We need to begin a new conversation at TBA. As so many people discovered during Hurricane Sandy, community at temple is so much more than a bar mitzvah or a shiva (although those are important things.) We are a place to convene, to care for one another, a place to be connected to and strengthened by one another.

I was talking to a congregant the other day who told me she hates writing out her check for dues, but feels great when she makes her pledge for the Annual Appeal. Of course, she does, one feels like paying the plumber and one feels like a contribution to Audubon or Hadassah or whichever cause she gives to throughout the year. We need to change our financial narrative.

There are two pieces to this issue; the first is changing our lens by turning dues into donations (they are tax-deductive contributions, after all), the second is better explaining what, exactly, contributions are used for (e.g. worship, education, social justice, pastoral care, etc.)

Over the next few months, our task force is going to work on developing our financial narrative, and will be asking for your input as we do this on our Facebook Group (thanks, Alan!)

The second thing we’re going to do is host a few focus groups with people who are struggling to stay as members, or are no longer members, and ask them to help us craft a new giving structure. Our congregant, Sharon Delevie, a professional focus group facilitator, has volunteered her professional time to this effort.

Please know that we are trying to figure this out as we go, as are most reform congregations around the country. We are getting input and advice from the Union from Reform Judaism, our own board of trustees, and others, but there is no one, right answer to this difficult problem. The idea of moving away from dues, a system which enables us to reasonably predict income year-to-year, is terrifying for those of us responsible for keeping temple sound financially. However, there are times when we need to re-imagine our institutions. And certainly for young people, that time has passed for temples. (Here is an article from the Washington Post about younger Jews rebelling against dues.)

Here are a few questions we have for you as we begin this process:

1. Do you think using donation language instead of invoice/billing/statement language on what we send out now would feel better? Why/why not?

2.What is the “value” of TBA to you and your family right now? What could it be?

We will keep you apprised of our progress. Thanks for your input, advice and good wishes!

Good morning, everyone, we hope that you are safe, warm and plugged in. Please call temple if you need any help recovering from the Hurricane.

Many people have asked about ways they can help with the recovery efforts. Here is information the UJA Federation of NY sent out. We will be posting more information on relief efforts here as we hear about them.

There will be two locations for food and supply drop-off starting on Monday, November 5th:

UJA-Federation of New York in Westchester
701 Westchester Avenue
White Plains, New York
Monday, November 5th through Friday, November 9, 2012
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

UJA-Federation of New York in Northern Westchester
27 Radio Circle Drive
Mt. Kisco, New York
Monday, November 5th through Wednesday, November 7, 2012
10:00 a.m. — 4:00 p.m.

For more information on how you can help, or to make a donation to the Hurricane Relief Fund visit www.ujafedny.org. You may also contact Donna Divon at divond@ujafedny.org or 914.761.5100 ext. 130.

Needed Food Items

baby food • boxed milk and coffee creamer • canned fruits and vegetables

canned meat and fish • cereal, cookies, and crackers

coffee, teas, and hot chocolate • pasta, rice, and instant potatoes

ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise • soup and tomato sauce

vinegar, oil, and salad dressings • raisins, prunes, dried fruit and nuts, and peanut butter

Needed Personal Care Items

Toothbrushes, toothpaste, toiletries, diapers, wipes, baby formula, hand sanitizer

No glass containers or expired items please. Kosher food is appreciated.

In a little over a week, TBA will embark on what I believe is a bold and important experiment in Temple worship.  We will be offering Friday night services at both 5:45 and 8:00PM.  As one of the driving forces behind this change, I want to take a moment to let you know why I think this is so exciting and why everyone should make an effort to participate.   For me, this is about much more than filling seats or counting heads.  It’s about making sure that Reform Judaism is something that can sustain and inspire us through all the stages of our lives.

Many people come to our wonderful family services on the first of every month.  They are joyous and fun and we all take pride as our children sing and read from the Bima.  But Judaism should offer more than just the chance to kvell.  It should offer adults something for themselves; a chance to feel spiritual, contemplative, inspired and renewed.  That is what we offer on the other Friday nights of the month.  The first time I came to a non-family service, I was surprised to find that Rabbi gives a sermon…a grown up sermon.  It was wonderful.  I was delighted to learn that on the third Friday of every month, we do Torah study together as a congregation.  We use different melodies; there is more time for reflection.  Where family services are energetic and festive, other services are often peaceful and moving.

It is important for us to seek out the opportunities to be nurtured as adults.  Ultimately, if Judaism can’t sustain us through all the stages of our lives, what good is it?  If we gather together only to engage and educate our children, what happens to us when the children leave?  What happens to those of us who don’t have children?   What are we let with when family services are no longer serving our needs?  If Judaism doesn’t answer those questions, than it needs to be fixed.  I think at least some of the answers can be found on the other Friday nights.  And if you come, and find that what we are offering isn’t serving that purpose, then let us know and help us to craft worship experiences that do.

Finally, coming to regular services is just as important for your children as it is for you. Let them see that Judaism is not something you grow out of.  If the children get a little fidgety and need to take some time to socialize in room 13, that’s OK too.  That’s how kids in Temple become friends.  That’s how connections between families are made.  If you ask many of our older, long term congregants, they will tell you that some of their strongest friendships were formed with families they saw at Temple every week.  So even if services are not your favorite thing,  come anyway.  Come for the community.  Tell us what you like and what you don’t.  Help us build services that work for you.  And while you are here, let your kids play with the other kids.  Then when services are over, go out to dinner together.  The parents bond, the children bond, and it’s a win for everyone.

Happy and Healthy New Year!

We’re so close in our countdown to the launch of the new sanctuary. Here are the pics from Thursday:

Today’s post is a bit late because I wanted to make sure we have photos of the lovely mezuzah hanging Rabbi David led last night for a small group of the renovation task force and the board of trustees in honor of Alan Cohen.

Our only concern was that someone would sit in a pew that wasn’t yet anchored to the floor! But, no worries, everything went beautifully (and yes, those two fellas were working at 8 pm last night to secure them.)

Here are the pics from Day 3 of our countdown:

I went with Day 4 rather than Day 2 on the advice of folks on our Facebook Group. Either way, launch day is coming soon!

Here are today’s pics:

Those of you comfortable and familiar with renovation projects (which doesn’t include me!) know that the last few days are when all the fun stuff happens. In a blink you go from, “Oh my gosh we’re never going to finish on time!” to “Wow, look how much those guys did today!”

This week, I’ll post photos every day so we can all see the progress as we get ready to use the new sanctuary for the high holiday starting on Sunday.

But just a heads up; if you haven’t seen the sanctuary for a few weeks, I think you’re going to be amazed at how it looks already.

Here we go with Day 1 of the Sanctuary Renovation Countdown!

(PS: shoutout and thanks to Rob Mintzes from Gisolfi for taking and posting the photos.)