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Membership Pledge 2021

Membership Pledge 2021

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A Promise Between You & Temple Sinai

As we safely emerge from the pandemic and begin meeting in person, we ask you to consider the importance of your 2021 Pledge. Despite the challenges of 2020, Temple Sinai continued to provide worship, lifecycle and pastoral services, diverse education opportunities, caring, love, and community.
We never stopped our social action efforts and always aimed to reach even greater levels of inspiration,
innovation, and inclusion.

When we changed from traditional dues to Pledge five years ago, we asked you to consider your annual Pledge based on how you value our Temple Sinai sacred community—your worship, your family’s Jewish education, lifecycle events, support when ill or suffering a family loss, and community
connections. Now Temple Sinai is asking you to help us meet a new goal.

Did you know that Pledge funds just 45% of Temple Sinai’s operating needs? Our goal is to increase the percentage to 50%.

Your support in reaching our goal will ensure that Temple Sinai continues its vital role of supporting our covenantal community.

PARTNERS IN FISCAL HEALTH
The Temple Sinai community proudly celebrates its 75th anniversary this year. We are partners in ensuring that Temple Sinai thrives for the next 75 years and beyond.

As a part of its obligation as your spiritual and Jewish communal home, Temple Sinai embraces its fiduciary responsibility. We have worked diligently to lower our reliance on the annual draw from our endowment. Drawing less from the endowment allows it to continue growing and strengthens financial
security for generations to come.

With your help, we can meet the very important goal of Pledge funding 50% of the operating budget.
The Sustaining Amount for each household remains the same at $2,645. While we understand that
everyone’s financial situation is unique, please give to the best of your ability. And, if you are able,
please consider a Tall Trees contribution, a higher level of giving.

Each Pledge is an investment in the Temple Sinai community. Together, we are Temple Sinai, and we inspire each other. Even as we ask you to dig a little deeper to make and fulfill your Pledge, we value everyone’s contribution.

As we celebrate Temple Sinai’s 75th Anniversary, join us in welcoming a new era with Rabbi Daniel Fellman and exploring new paths and experiences. Each and every one of you is a cherished partner as we aspire always to be inspired, innovative, and inclusive and at the forefront of progressive Reform Judaism.

“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, Senior Rabbi

Q&A

WHY PLEDGE INSTEAD OF DUES? Making a voluntary Pledge, based on your financial ability versus set dues is aligned with Temple Sinai values. However, it can only work when our congregants
understand how key your contributions are to support a budget that provides worship, lifecycle events, education, social justice initiatives, music, salaries and insurance for staff and clergy, and maintenance
for our historic building.

WHAT IS SUSTAINING AMOUNT? This Sustaining amount is the estimate of the contribution required on a per household basis to cover all of Temple Sinai’s costs. The sustaining amount remains
the same at $2,645 this year. Since we understand that everyone’s financial situation is different, we hope you give to the best of your ability. In meeting our goal to have Pledge cover 50% of our budget,
we ask you to consider increasing your Pledge this year.

WHY IS THERE A BUILDING ASSESSMENT? In addition to regular upkeep, our historic home requires repairs and improvements to keep the synagogue functional, accessible, and up to code and your expectations. Your $100 enables us to maintain the building properly, including the roof and HVAC system.

WHY DO WE NEED A SECURITY AND SAFETY ASSESSMENT? The COVID pandemic has necessitated not just thorough cleaning, but thorough sanitizing of all our spaces. In addition, we will continue to have masks, hand sanitizer, and other supplies on hand. This precaution comes at a cost that needs to be covered in addition to Pledge income. The $100 also covers any security needs, including armed security professionals and any additional security upgrades.

WHAT IS TEMPLE SINAI’S FINANCIAL SITUATION? Temple Sinai’s finances are well managed with many checks and balances. Temple Sinai does not have debt; there is no borrowing or mortgage
to service. In addition to Pledge, significant other income is received from fundraising events, individual donations, religious school tuition, program fees, grants, and rentals. In addition, the Board of Trustees
approves an endowment draw. The endowment has a current balance of approximately $4.5 million. The goal is to draw as little as possible from the endowment, to allow the principal to grow, and for it to be an ever growing and larger resource in the future.

Thu, May 29 2025 2 Sivan 5785