Overview - What is the Sustaining Partnership Model?
The Jewish Community of Amherst rests on a core of fundamental values:
- The JCA is a vital part of our collective Jewish lives
- We are a community responsible to and for each other
- Our community sustains itself through the generosity of its members
- The congregation thrives when every person is treated with dignity and respect
Our Sustaining Partnership model reflects these values. We ask each household to share in the financial responsibility of our synagogue as part of a Sustaining Partnership.
The Sustaining Partnership contribution is the amount which, if paid by every household, would sustain the synagogue for one fiscal year. In 2025 a Sustaining contribution of $2,500 paid by every household will sustain our synagogue for the coming year. The sustaining amount is determined by the board each year.
We invite you to think of the sustaining partnership contribution as a financial commitment that is informed by the needs of sustaining our synagogue AND by your personal connection and engagement within our community.
We also ask that you consider increasing your contribution year over year. The costs of running the JCA go up every year due to inflation, and we depend on the generosity of our members to help us continue to raise enough money to account for this.
We recognize that this is not a perfect world and that each family’s circumstance is different. We ask each household to contribute at the highest level that their heart and financial ability allow.
- For those who are financially blessed, we hope your generosity will exceed the Sustaining Amount.
- For those facing financial challenges, we are happy to accept your heartfelt contribution at the level you can best afford.
- Finances will never be a barrier to partnership at the JCA. No one will be turned away.
Please consider the following ranges when making your sustaining partnership pledge.
