Donating to The Aleynu Project

​Dear friends and fellow congregants,
 
As spring arrives, there is sometimes a feeling that Hebrew school and the cycle of Jewish holidays are winding down. In fact, just the opposite is true.
 
This is the time of year when we ask you to consider supporting the synagogue through our annual campaign. Instead of simply asking you to make a donation, we want to share our plan for fundraising and provide you with a clear picture of where funds are needed and how they are allocated.
 
As many of you know, membership dues and school tuition do not fully cover our operating expenses, not to mention building improvements and program needs beyond the scope of our budget. As a result, 10% of our operating income must come from donations. We are on our way to meeting that target with your help, and any additional funds raised will go to building improvements and program expansion.
 
There are several opportunities to support the synagogue throughout the year. Our Tribute Program provides an opportunity to honor or remember a loved one while also supporting our congregation. Also, our newly established Tree of Life campaign will provide the option to publicly memorialize or recognize an individual or event. This month, we are asking you to donate to The Aleynu Project (formerly known as “Planting the Seeds”), which generates revenue at a time of the year when cash flow is particularly low.
 
In addition to outlining the ways you can support CAA, we want to share ways that your support can add value to our community:
 
1. Sustain the daily life of our community. Our operating expenses include:
• Education/school expenses: average monthly cost per student = $120
• Adult education: average cost to run a 6-week program facilitated by rabbi = $500
• Custodial services: average monthly cost = $900
• Utilities: average monthly cost = $385 for heat, $630 for electricity, $143 for phone and Internet, for a total of $1,158
• Payroll: average monthly payroll expense (rabbi, administrators, and school staff) = $8,683
 
2. Improve accessibility.
Upcoming initiatives include repairing outside walkways and providing curbside ramps, with an ultimate goal of making one restroom wheelchair-accessible. This initiative is long overdue, but fulfilling it will require extensive fundraising to support a significant budget. Two of our teens, Michael Shuman and Jenna Spencer, have dedicated their time and focus to improving accessibility to support all patrons with mobility challenges. They have raised seed money, but in order to carry out their plans, we must raise more money.
 
3. Contribute to the Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund.
This fund helps people in need from both our membership community and the community at large. It also pays for supplemental programming, resources and professional development for the rabbi, and scholarships to members who need financial assistance.
 
Please give some thought to how you might like to support your community. If you are on a 10-month dues payment plan, we invite you to consider making an additional month’s payment (or two). Others might simply like to make a donation that makes sense for them.
 
In addition to seeking donations, we would like to mention that much of the planning and work completed at the synagogue is accomplished by congregants who volunteer their time and services, and for that we are so very grateful.
 
We will provide more detailed information on our financial position at our upcoming annual meeting on June 25. Also, please look for a letter from our Development Committee asking you to submit your contribution to the Aleynu Project this spring.
 
We appreciate your thoughtfulness as you continue to support our congregation throughout the year!
 
Best wishes, Sammi & Rosanna