Membership Pledge 2022
A Promise Between You & Temple Sinai
As we continue to navigate the pandemic world and try to meet safely in person, we ask you to consider the importance of your 2022 membership Pledge.
Despite continuing COVID challenges, Rabbi Daniel Fellman and newly arrived Cantor David Reinwald lead us in creative and innovative worship, diverse music, lifecycle and pastoral services, social action, caring love, and community. We have never stopped being an oasis of inspiration, innovation, and inclusion—a sacred community of authentic and caring people who understand the value of joining together to create a special synagogue experience and environment.
“Together we will live, learn, laugh, and love as we wrestle with our sacred tradition and build new connections for the future.” ~ Rabbi Daniel Fellman & Cantor David Reinwald
WHY IS AN INCREASE IN YOUR MEMBERSHIP PLEDGE SO IMPORTANT?
Like all responsible non-profit organizations, Temple Sinai has an endowment fund. By law the endowment fund is allowed to contribute to our operating budget between 3% and 7% of its balance based on the average of the twelve most recent quarters.
Responsibly managing the Temple Sinai endowment fund today is critical to assuring that Temple Sinai will be financially sound for generations to come.
Temple Sinai’s goal is to reduce the endowment fund’s annual operating budget contribution from 6% or higher to 5% or less so that the remaining principal can continue to grow. Today 5% mi
ght be,
for example, $250,000. But if the endowment fund is allowed to grow, in future years 5% might be $300,000, $500,000, or more.
Why is an increase in your membership pledge so important? An increase in your membership Pledge will help assure that we draw as little as possible from the endowment fund, thereby allowing our endowment fund to grow for our future.
And, if you are able, please consider a Tall Trees contribution—higher levels of giving beyond Temple
Sinai’s annual Sustaining Amount of $2,750.
Q&A
HOW IS A MEMBERSHIP PLEDGE DIFFERENT THAN DUES? Temple Sinai believes that our congregants’ relationship to synagogue life is unique and comes from the heart. Your membership Pledge is a voluntary contribution—an amount determined by YOU—that represents how you value Temple Sinai’s clergy, programs, lifecycle events, social justice initiatives, education, music, and more, as well as a reflection of your personal giving capacity. Your membership Pledge comes from you instead of Temple Sinai telling you what you owe. We believe that the choice is yours. Please make your Pledge today.
WHAT IS THE SUSTAINING AMOUNT? The “Sustaining Amount” is the estimate of what would be the contribution per household to cover all of Temple Sinai’s operating expenses (not counting the assessments described below). The Sustaining Amount increases only slightly this year to $2,750. We understand that everyone’s financial situation is different. We know that not every household can Pledge $2,750 or more, but we urge everyone to give to the best of your ability. For the second year in a row our goal is for membership Pledges to reach 50% of our operating budget. We did not meet that goal last year. Please help us meet the goal this year by considering an increase in your Pledge.
WHY IS THERE A BUILDING ASSESSMENT? In addition to regular upkeep, our beautiful historic home requires repairs and improvements to keep the synagogue functional, up to code, and up to your expectations. For example, thanks to the accumulated Building Assessments, this past spring we spent $90,000 for a new roof over the school classrooms as well as nearly $20,000 for HVAC repairs and improvements.
WHY DO WE NEED A SECURITY & SAFETY ASSESSMENT? The Anti-Defamation League reports that Antisemitic incidents continue to rise in the United States. ADL’s recent Audit of Antisemitic Incidents recorded 2,717 incidents of assault, harassment, and vandalism in 2021. This represents the highest number of incidents on record since ADL began tracking antisemitic incidents in 1979— an average of more than seven incidents per day and a 34 percent increase year over year. We are all aware of the growing number of mass shootings. Sadly, combined with on-going COVID vigilance, we must continue to collect this assessment for these issues. Your $100 Security & Safety Assessment keeps us safe and healthy.
