Our congregation depends on contributions from our members to sustain our work. Rather than mandating fixed dues, however, we instead use a model we call terumah, a term for the freely given offerings that the Israelites gave as they pooled their resources to build the mishkan, portable sanctuary.
Each year, members are expected to make a pledge to contribute an amount that is suitable for their level of resources and investment in the congregation. At the beginning of each fiscal year, we publicize our budgetary information and set a recommended terumah rate, knowing that some will contribute more and others less.
As we are aiming to collect $130,000 in pledge income, we’re asking those who are able to consider a $1,000 per adult annual pledge. To fully cover our proposed costs, each adult member would need to pledge $1,500. If you have the means, we ask that you contribute more than this requested amount.
We recognize that income levels and relationships with money vary greatly within our community, and that contributing this amount may not be feasible for you. We do not discriminate based on pledge contributions -- you are not a second-class member for pledging lower than this amount! -- nor do we rescind membership status if you end up contributing less than your expressed pledge.