Even though we are growing as a congregation, as you know, we are still a small Jewish community. Our minimum dues requirement is probably one of the lowest in the country. We have a fairly large percentage of families who pledge much more than our minimum dues; their financial commitment helps keep Temple B'rith Shalom financially afloat, and we are eternally grateful to them for their generosity.
At the same time, Temple B'rith Shalom does something that I think is extraordinary. Given our small size, give our nationally low dues, given the reality of our ongoing financial challenges, we do something wonderful. Any time a Jewish family tells us that they can't afford even our minimal dues, do you know what we do? We say, "Join us anyway." This process doesn't involve tax records or financial committees. This process doen't involve fiscal teeth-gnashing. This process consists of a single telephone call or meeting with our president, Seymour Dicker. He listens, he nods his head, and he welcomes our new members. It's one of the Temple B'rith Shalom attitudes that make us a special, welcoming synagogue, and it's only possible because so many other congregants generously take up the financial slack.
Although we're legally a "religious corporation," a synagogue is not a business; we provide a powerful service to the community: a place of worship, a place of study, and a place to join together to strengthen our Jewish identity. Our success isn't measured in dollars; we define ourselves by our involvement in the Jewish community and the "outside" community. At the moment, we're doing a fine job!
