Funding Our Future. Temple Sholom of West Essex

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1 Funding Our Future Temple Sholom of West Essex

2 Funding Our Future Whosoever practices tzedakah finds life, prosperity and honor. -Talmud At least 15 Jews appeared on BusinessWeek s 2006 list of The 50 Most Generous Philanthropists; it is heartening that Jews, who are only 2% of the American population, are 30% of America s most generous donors. Not so surprising when we consider that giving - tzedakah - is a cornerstone of Judaism. Although tzedakah is often translated as charity, the two terms are not synonymous. In Jewish tradition, tzedakah is less about magnanimous behavior and more about acts motivated by a desire for justice, an obligation we feel to improve the world we live in. Temple Sholom is a big part of our world, a place where we work on fulfilling our hopes for ourselves, our family and our community. When we think of making the world better, what better place for us to start? And in reality, the tradition of giving at Temple Sholom is a long, strong and vibrant one. Like a majority of nonprofit institutions, Temple Sholom does not meet its operating expenses through dues alone. We rely on the generosity of our congregants to supplement their dues with voluntary contributions. Gifts, regardless of size, are essential to our existence and greatly appreciated. Here are some of the ways we can fulfill the mitzvah of tzedakah at Temple Sholom and also support the Temple s mission and commitment to its congregants: honor or remember family, friends and other Temple members; comfort a mourner; say thank you, get well soon, great job, or simply I love you ; make a gift to help the Temple s ongoing work; celebrate a special occasion; support or sponsor a special program or event; leave a legacy. On the following pages we describe the various forms that contributions to Temple Sholom can take. After you decide on the contribution you would like to make, please complete the form at the end of this brochure and mail it with your check to the Temple office. 2 3

3 Special Dedicated Gifts The Temple s leadership has put together a wish list of capital improvements that we hope to realize over the next few years. We are looking for donors to fund all or a substantial portion of each project. Dedications and naming opportunities, where appropriate, are available. These projects include the following: Improvements on the sound system Renovation of classrooms Renovation of children s bathrooms Updating of Temple office Renovation of women s bathroom Renovation of playground Modernization of kitchen Upgrading and furnishing Youth Lounge Planned Giving We will be happy to assist you in setting up a planned giving program in the form of a bequest, charitable gift annuity, charitable lead trust or charitable remainder trust. Professionals are available to help you formulate a plan for donating appreciated securities, naming Temple Sholom in your will or living trust, setting up a charitable gift program in a trust or purchasing life insurance or an annuity to benefit your heirs and Temple Sholom, all in the most tax efficient manner. Stained Glass Windows Some of the beautiful, smaller stained glass windows in the main sanctuary are still available for purchase and may be dedicated in your name or in the name of a loved one for a cost of $3,500. All proceeds from the sale of stained glass windows will be available to fund capital improvements and maintenance of the Temple. Contributions to Tribute Funds A donation to a Tribute Fund is appropriate for any reason-- for instance, taking note of a life cycle event or saying thank you to the clergy for their participation in such an event. Please consider making a donation on behalf of each member of the clergy who participates. Because so many congregants have asked for guidance in making donations, we offer the following suggestions: Baby Naming $72 Bar or Bat Mitzvah $180 Confirmation $36 Engagement/Auf Ruf $72 Wedding $500 Funeral $500 Memorial Service/Shiva $36 The following is a list and a brief description of each of our active Tribute Funds. We will gladly send acknowledgments and publish in the Shofar all contributions of $10 or more. Clergy Good Works Funds Rabbi s Good Supports our community Works Fund as well as individual needs, at the discretion of the Rabbi Cantor s Good Works Fund Rabbi Emeritus Good Works Supports our musical and community needs, at the discretion of the Cantor Supports our community and individual needs, at Fund the discretion of the Rabbi Emeritus 4 5

4 Operating Funds Operating Fund Funds the day-to-day operation of the Temple in accordance with the annual budget as approved by the Congregation and covers capital improvements as well Sisterhood Fund Funds Sisterhood programming activities,community service and contributions to the Temple, at the Sisterhood s discretion Brotherhood Fund Funds Brotherhood programming activities, community service and contributions to the Temple, at the Brotherhood s discretion Caring Connection Fund Provides support for people experiencing loss, health problems or facing other personal challenges Education Funds Education Fund Benefits the Religious School, as well as Continuing Education programs and Torah study Tuition Assistance Fun Provides assistance with Religious School tuition Early Childhood Center Fun Supports programming for and improvements to the Early Childhood Center Senior Youth Group Fund Supports programs and activities for Temple youth Gilbert Flyer Campership Fund Provides scholarships to summer camp for qualified students Rabbi Patz Scholarship Fund Provides scholarships for camp or summer programs at the discretion of Rabbi Patz In Memoriam Yarzheit Fund Assists with funeral costs or shiva expenses Harry and Zelda Horowitz Library Fund Purchases books and helps maintain the Temple s library John Oettinger Memorial Fund Funds landscaping and other improvements to the Temple grounds Mark Lefkowitz Memorial Fund Assists people with disabilities Sigman Music Fund Provides funding for musical programs Jay Levine Sanctuary Fund Provides funding for sanctuary maintenance and repairs Additional Established Funds Israel Scholarship Fund Ark Fund Prayer Book Fund Exodus II Fund Tree Fund Dvur Kralove Fund Keren Ami Fund Benjamin Steinlight Fund Kate Eisemann Lecture Fund Opportunities to Honor or Memorialize Prayer Bookplates A new Temple program offers personalized plates to be inserted in our new prayer books. These bookplates, which may be purchased for $72, are appropriate to honor a friend or family member, recognize a simcha or remember a loved one. 6 7

5 Memorial Plaques Honor the memory of a departed family member or friend by having his or her name inscribed on a solid brass Memorial Plaque for placement on the memorial wall in the Temple s lobby. Plaques are available for $375 and can be engraved with the Hebrew name and Yarzheit date of the person being remembered. Memorial Book You can also remember loved ones by including their names in the Temple s Memorial Book with a suggested donation of $36. Tree of Life The Tree of Life is a striking sculpture located in the Temple lobby that commemorates special events in the lives of our congregants. Bronze leaves are $72, silver leaves are $180 and gold leaves are $360. Rocks are priced by size: a small rock is $1,800 and a large rock is $3,600. Dedication Bricks Commemorate a simcha, special event or family milestone with a personalized Dedication Brick for the walkway at the Temple s main entrance. Bricks are $136. Oneg Shabbat or Pasta Dinner You can sponsor an Oneg Shabbat or Pasta Dinner for any occasion, to mark a simcha or for no reason at all. The cost of sponsoring an Oneg Shabbat is $36. The cost of sponsoring a Pasta Dinner is $50. Annual High Holy Day Appeal Our traditional Annual High Holy Day appeal consists of the following eight levels of giving: Torah Circle $25,000+ Pillar $10,000-$24,999 Rabbi s Circle $5,000-$9,999 Guardian $2,500-$4,999 Chai $1,800-$2,499 Leader $500-$1,799 Sustainer $100-$499 Friend Up to $99 All donors who agree will be listed in a booklet which will be distributed to the Congregation and those who donate $1,800 or more will have the option of being listed on a plaque in the Temple lobby. Donations can also be made anonymously. All proceeds from the High Holy Day appeal are used to supplement dues and fund Temple operations. This is a major fundraising project for us and we always welcome volunteers who can help us on this important annual project. Shofar Ads Space is available to advertise your business in the monthly Shofar. Please contact the Temple Administrator for advertising rates and further details. 8 9

6 TEMPLE SHOLOM GIVING OPPORTUNITIES In Conclusion As you can see, tzedakah can take many forms. We hope you will think seriously about this approach to living Jewishly. Your Temple family sincerely appreciates your past contributions and looks forward to your continued support. I wish to contribute $ In Honor of In Appreciation of In Memory of Name(s) For the occasion of: Baby Naming Bris Engagement Yarzeit Birth of Grandchild Bar or Bat Mitzvah (circle one) Birthday Marriage Anniversary Graduation Confirmation Recovery from Illness Promotion Birth of Child Acceptance to School Contribution to a Tribute Fund (Please refer to brochure for list of Tribute Funds and insert name of fund. If left blank, contribution will be made to the Temple s Operating Fund) Contribution to the following fund: Other Contribution: Temple Sholom of West Essex 760 Pompton Avenue Cedar Grove, New Jersey tswe@optonline.net Purchase of a brick (minimum contribution of $136) Leaf on Tree of Life (minimum contribution of $72) Listing in Memorial Book (minimum contribution of $36) Memorial Plaque (minimum contribution of $375) Prayer Bookplate (minimum contribution of $72) To be engraved as follows (if applicable): Form continues on back

7 TEMPLE SHOLOM GIVING OPPORTUNITIES Sponsorship of Oneg on (Friday night) (minimum contribution of $36) Sponsorship of Pasta Dinner on (minimum contribution of $50) Contribution is SENT from: Name(s) Address: City, State and Zip Code: Phone Number: Notification Card should be sent to: (minimum contribution of $10 for notification to be sent) Name(s) Address: City, State and Zip Code: Phone Number: Card should specify this contribution is sent on behalf of: Shofar Listing: Yes, please list this in the upcoming Shofar. No, do not list Please send this form along with a check payable to Temple Sholom of West Essex to: Temple Sholom of West Essex 760 Pompton Avenue Cedar Grove, NJ If you have any questions, please call us at Office Use Only: check processed listed in Shofar notification to recipient confirmation to donor