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Hanhala
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OU Newsletter for Executive Directors of Synagogues
PLEASE NOTE:
Any
commercial information contained herein is intended for
informational purposes only and is not necessarily an
indication of endorsement by the Orthodox Union.
Orthodox
Synagogue Network
Is
your synagogue registered in the Orthodox Synagogue Network
(look for “synagogues”)?
The list is a service to Orthodox Union member synagogues,
travelers, and non-synagogue-affiliates who access the list
in order to find an Orthodox synagogue anywhere in North
America. The minyanim listed in the database are conducted
within Orthodox Jewish guidelines, and utilize a mechitza
for davening.
Synagogue Website services: Orthodox Union member synagogues
are also entitled to use the OU server for their synagogue
website. The OU Department of Communications staff will
help to create a personalized website for your shul or link
the shul's existing homepage to the OU site.
To
take advantage of this community service, please visit
http://www.ou.org/forms/listing.htm
Website
pros and cautions
In
today’s society, a webpage is an invaluable tool for a
synagogue to keep its membership informed about shul and
community happenings, as well as a means of attracting local
and foreign visitors; and potentially attracting new
members.
A
shul webpage should at minimum have a description of the
shul and its locale, and contact numbers. Some shuls offer
a phone number or e-mail address of someone available to
arrange for hospitality for guests. Some shuls even have
contact e-mail addresses for the entire Board on their site.
An
unfortunate consideration which must be taken into account
is security. Some synagogues are hesitant to publicize too
much information about the shul. The internet is a public
forum. A synagogue should consider pros and cons of posting
information on the website that the shul would not list in
the Yellow Pages or in local media. It might be worthwhile
to secure references before offering hospitality. And if
the shul webpage has a message-board or if the site allows
people to post links, the webmaster should keep an eye open
to assure that no inappropriate material turns up.
“German
Pensions for Work in Ghettos: A Claims Conference Handbook"
“German Pensions for Work in Ghettos: A Claims Conference
Handbook" is available on the website of the Conference on
Jewish Material Claims Against Germany,
www.claimscon.org.
This is information on eligibility for German Social
Security payments for Holocaust survivors (or their spouses)
who performed labor in Nazi ghettos. The deadline to apply
is June 30.
Requesting
Testimonials from Sephardic Jews
The American Sephardi Federation has launched a campaign to
collect testimonials from the approximately 900,000 Jews
displaced from Arab countries after 1948, and to educate the
public on this issue.
Please share this important information with the relevant
parties in your community. To learn more go to
www.Jewishrefugees.org, or contact: Rachael Freedman,
Special Projects & JRAC International Coordinator, American
Sephardi Federation, Tel: 212-294-8350, Fax: 212-294-8348,
e-mail:
Rfreedman@asf.cjh.org
Cut
Pollution and Allergies for Your Congregants
Most people don’t realize that electricity is one of the
largest sources of pollution. Generating electricity from
the burning of fossil fuels is a major component of smog
(the largest cause of asthma, now affecting 1 in every 13
children in the US).
Electricity generation is also a major contributor to global
warming.
More than half of our electricity across the country is
generated by burning coal – the main source of acid rain,
and the reason why 500 of NY State’s 3,000 lakes are now
dead.
Another 15% comes from burning oil, most of which is
imported from Arab countries.
For only $5 a month more, every consumer can have at least a
portion of their electricity come from New Wind Energy.
“Wind energy is an old idea that has been transformed by
modern technology into beautiful, powerful, energy
generators. One new wind turbine (200’ tall, the size of a
redwood tree) generates 4,000,000 KWh a year of electricity
(enough for 600 average families) using no fuel, and with
zero pollution. In fact, one wind turbine takes the same
amount of carbon dioxide out of the environment as planting
420,000
trees a year
In
Pennsylvania, 31 colleges and universities, joined by
religious organizations, government offices, non-profit
organizations, businesses, and thousands of individual
residents sold out the first 9 Million Watts (MW) wind farm,
then another 15 MW.
Now, their willingness to pay a small premium for the
“green” electricity has resulted in another 125 MW of new
wind energy being built.
“Individual residents can sign up for 200 kWh of wind energy
(about 1/3 of the average family’s usage) for just $5 a
month. Businesses, non-profits, and other commercial
institutions can get wind electricity for a portion or all
of their electrical usage for a similarly small premium (the
US General Service Administration has two federal buildings
in upstate NY that are now 100% wind powered).” For more
information about how your shul can become part of the
solution,
Fax: 800-495-8048, write: Community Energy, Inc., P.O.
Box 1770, Binghamton, NY 13902-1770, or logon to:
www.NewWindEnergy.com In NY, Phone: 607-724-0100, ext.
3, Ron.Kamen@NewWindEnergy.com
DNA LifePrint Kit To Find Missing Persons
Provide an important community service while conducting a
no-money-down fundraiser. Community Concepts brings you the
DNA LifePrint Kit, endorsed by John Walsh, host of TV’s
“America’s Most Wanted.” Civic organizations and schools
make $4.00 per kit, while parents get the kit through your
shul or school at a savings of 40% off the website price.
The DNA
LifePrint Kit is designed to hand to law enforcement if a
child is ever missing. Having a DNA sample ready could make
the difference in bringing home a child alive.
DNA offers a tremendous advantage over less reliable means
of identification such as footprints or fingerprints. Unlike
photos and physical descriptions, DNA never changes. DNA
identification analysis can identify one person in billions.
The DNA LifePrint
kit is completely non-invasive – no blood is taken or
handled. The procedure involves simply rubbing the inside of
the child's cheek for several seconds with the applicator in
the kit. The applicator is then inserted into a fixation
solution contained in a vial. The child's DNA is then
captured and preserved.
The kit includes John Walsh’s
Child safety tips and instructions on the DNA sample so you
can take the sample in the privacy of your own home.
FBI Officials say
having a DNA sample can be useful. In an interview with the
Washington Post, Wayne Lord, Unit Chief of the FBI’s Child
Abduction Center, said, “In most cases, investigators will
try to find DNA on hairs left on hairbrushes or in saliva on
toys or sweat stains on clothing,” but Lord said, “This is
not always successful. Having a DNA sample ready to go
could help an investigation.”
The DNA of a missing adult stricken with Alzheimer's disease
or other disorienting condition could provide positive proof
of identification leading to a safe return.
Call to discuss this program with Community Concepts VP of
Sales, Mr. Kevin Jackson at 866-362-5487.
Automatic
External Defibrillators
The Orthodox Union recommends that all synagogues equip
themselves with an
Automatic External
Defibrillator (AED).
An AED is a device the size of a breadbox, which administers
electrical impulses to a patient in cardiac arrest. When a
person’s heart stops beating an AED is the tool used to
re-start the patient’s heart – CPR alone can help bring
blood to the heart, but can seldom lead a heart to return to
beating on its own. The quicker an AED is applied after a
patient undergoes a cardiac arrest, the better the victim’s
chance of a complete recovery. In some synagogues, the
immediate availability of an AED has resulted in lives
saved.
Emergency Care Programs, a company who train all of Hatzoloh
in New York, is still offering benefits to shuls that
purchase an AED through them. The comprehensive package for
each synagogue includes:
-
CPR & AED
Training (4 hours)
-
AED
Purchase with all accessory equipment
-
Wall
Cabinet for AED
-
Medical
Control
-
On-Site
Technical Support
-
AED
Placement/Emergency Plan for each shul
-
Refresher
course (2 hours)
-
Free
Replacement of Supply Kit Contents
For those located in New York State, a $500
corporate/personal income
tax credit is
provided for every defibrillator purchased – similar rebates
may be available in other jurisdictions. This fact may be
an incentive for private donors within your synagogue.
For more details regarding AEDs, and the cost of the
defibrillator and the program, please contact: Orlee
Guttman, 718-333-CARE (2273).
Shuls.Net-
the Website Creators for Your Synagogue
Shuls.net provides software/web service for a fully
functioning synagogue website. The company uses a four-step
plan to get shuls “on the fast track to a paperless office
with fewer supplies and more breathing space:
Step 1:
Lightning speed, with ease: List the times for services,
Shabbat candle lighting, etc. Catalogue every upcoming
event on the web.
Step 2:
Work smarter, not harder: Call for volunteers through
targeted mailing lists that tap just the people you need for
particular jobs. Send weekly bulletins and timely articles
to members through e-mail. Accept journal ads/bulletin info
online.
Step 3:
Communication is the key to a flourishing membership;
Send out e-surveys to membership to increase involvement.
Facilitate discussions on religious topics and current
events.
Step 4:
Make your shul into a membership magnet: Provide hospitality
information for visitors. Broadcast lectures over the
Internet, using audio and video media. Welcome new members
by posting the news of their arrival.
Shuls.net can also function as an open cashier office. Your
congregants can go online to: Pay membership dues, fulfill
pledges, make reservations for synagogue functions, place
ads for dinner journals. You can further recruit local
store advertisements for your site, place mazel tov ads and
dedications from around the world, Purchase gifts and Purim
baskets. For more information, go to
www.shuls.net or call (212) 928-9980, or e-mail
info@shuls.net
Planned
Giving and Bequests for Your Shul
Gilbert H. Jacobson, Associate Executive Director of Planned
Giving and Endowments at the UJA-Federation of New York,
addressed the last NCSD meeting, at the Jewish Center. His
useful and informative talk was about “Planned Giving and
Bequests for Your Shul: An Idea That’s Time has Come.”
Below is his summary of the lecture:
“Millions of dollars flow to charities each year from
bequests and other types of planned gifts. Many of these
gifts seem to “come on their own.” Imagine how much more
your shul could generate from this type of revenue—if
someone only asked for it!
“Planned giving is a complicated business. Charitable
organizations that have successful planned giving programs
usually hire specially trained people to develop this type
of gift. But, even without having a formal planned giving
program, there is a lot that you can do to bring in
additional dollars to your congregation.
“Place a simple box in your shul bulletin reading ‘Have you
thought about leaving a bequest to the shul? Our future may
depend on it. Please call ____________ at xxx-xxxx.’
“Place a check-off box on a bill-stuffer reading, ‘I am
interested in leaving a bequest to the Congregation.’
“Both of these options will work. In addition to these,
speak to your president about appointing a Bequests &
Planned Gifts Chair. The role of this person would be to
solicit about 5 - 6 bequests each year. This is an
attainable goal. Don’t aim much higher—it’s better to be
successful than it is to set a goal that scares your
leadership from following up.
“Expensive brochures are, for the most part, a waste of time
and money.
“I
would encourage your leadership not to spend the proceeds of
bequests and planned gifts. Place them in an endowment
fund, so the benefactors’ one time gift will throw off
income perpetually.
“You should also be familiar with ‘life income plans,’ which
are ways a donor can give to charity while providing
guaranteed annual income for his-or-her self (and spouse)
for the rest of their life/ves. This kind of plan can be
established with any number of assets, such as cash, real
estate, or appreciated securities—allowing the donor to
receive income from assets that may have risen sharply in
value but which, if sold, would incur a large tax on the
capital gain. The donated assets are not subject to tax on
the appreciated value. In addition, the donor receives an
income tax charitable deduction. There are several types of
life income plans, all with their own rules.
“Your Bequests & Planned Giving Chair should target people
without children. Many of them are looking for an
appropriate institution with which they can leave a memorial
for themselves.
“Your local Jewish Federation endowment director can be of
great help to you in structuring the basics of a bequest and
planned giving program. Federations and synagogues are not
in competition in regard to these types of gifts. People do
not generally decide between various charitable
organizations in determining bequests; they leave money to
causes they care about. Don’t assume that if your donor is
not leaving a charitable bequest to you, it’s going to
another charity. The odds are that, if a donor is not
solicited for a charitable bequest, he or she won’t make
one—anyplace.
“Each local Federation has its own policy about what level
of support it can offer to a synagogue endowment program.
At UJA-Federation of New York, we will serve as trustee of a
charitable remainder trust when 50% of the proceeds are
eventually going to UJA-Federation, and 50% to a New York
synagogue (as opposed to 25% for other charities that are
not UJA-Federation agencies). I am always available to
offer any advice I can to the synagogue community, as is
true for my colleagues around the country. Anyone in New
York City, Westchester or Long Island should feel free to
contact me at (212) 836-1305. I, or one of my colleagues at
UJA-Federation would also be happy to meet with you and/or
your leadership to discuss how you can use planned giving to
help your shul.”
Pre-Tax Benefits for Synagogue (and other) Employees
Mickey
Lyons, a member of Park East Synagogue, addressed attendees
regarding “cafeteria plans” in a lecture titled “Cafeteria
Plans; Underused and Undervalued”:
“Small to medium sized corporations and not-for-profit firms
have recently rediscovered the cafeteria plan – in effect, a
two-decade-old tax-break. Now more than ever it can save
your staff money, and it costs you and your congregation
absolutely nothing.
“What is it and why does it work? A cafeteria plan, also
known as a flexible spending plan or section 125, allows
your employees to pay for any benefit contribution on a
pre-tax basis. The simplest version is called a POP (premium
only plan). The advantage to the employee is that it allows
them to deduct their share of the premium cost for health or
voluntary benefits before taxes are withheld. This simple
change in when the deduction is made increases their
take-home pay by roughly 30%* on that portion which is
deducted for healthcare premiums.
“A more extensive cafeteria plan which will allow for even
greater tax benefits can be established. Health care
expenses not covered by your health plan such as glasses,
laser surgery, dental implants, and some cosmetic and
experimental surgery can be covered.
“A second section of the same code allows the same pre-tax
benefit for childcare expenses, and a third allows tax
reduction for commuting costs, including parking.
“The aforementioned shows the advantages a cafeteria plan
presents to your staff. The value such a plan offers to the
congregation is that it costs nothing to provide the staff
with these benefits. For each benefit to which an employee
opts to contribute pre-tax funding there is a reduction in
the FICA cost both to the employee and to the employer. This
reduction should more than cover the administrative cost for
this plan.
“When installing such a plan it is important that you obtain
the proper professional counseling to ensure that there are
no compliance issue transgressions. This is the first step
in bringing your benefit program into the twenty first
century. This is one of the many options available to
improve employee satisfaction and to create a better work
environment.”
For more information, contact Mr. Lyons at Medical Link
Benefits Consultants,
250 West 57th Street, Suite 1418
New York, NY 10107
tel. 212-664-1616
fax 212-664-1601
e-mail: mlyons@medicallink.com
Webpage:
www.medicallink.com
(*This % is an estimation. The exact amount will be
determined by each individual’s tax bracket.)
Insurance
Policies for Synagogues
Fred N. Hirsch, an account executive at Accordia, an
insurance company that has unique policies for synagogues,
addressed participants at the last meeting of the NCSD held
at Fifth Avenue Synagogue. Mr. Hirsch summarized his
presentation for “Hanhala:”
“A
good insurance program allows you to operate your synagogue
with the peace of mind that comes from knowing that any
catastrophe will be taken care of with as little disruption
of daily routine as possible.
“On at least an annual basis, property values should be
reviewed for adequacy and increased when necessary to avoid
any monetary loss to the synagogue in the event of a
physical loss.
“Of course, synagogue insurance should not only encompass
property and liability insurance, but should also include
Professional Liability as well as Directors & Officers
Liability insurance.
“We at Accordia offer our clients the expertise and
experience of one of America’s largest independent insurance
brokers while at the same time our clients receive the local
personalized service and attention that affords them piece
of mind.
“We are pleased to offer our services to synagogues and
their constituents to assist in all their commercial and
personal insurance needs.”
Community
out- and in- reach
Rabbi Israel Kestenbaum, Director of the Jewish Institute,
of the Health Care Chaplaincy, Joined us for the preceding
meeting of the NCSD. Rabbi Kestenbaum addressed the group
with a powerful personal message. He said that setting up
one-time programs does not address the needs or feelings of
the ill or the homebound. Rabbi Kestenbaum expressed his
experienced belief that to really add meaning and
fulfillment to the life of a patient or a senior who is
alone for an extended time – or terminally – is to develop a
relationship with them.
When it comes to Chesed programs, shuls tend to create
quick-fix non-relational programs – a one day singing visit
or bringing shalach-manot or Chanuka gifts. Rabbi
Kestenbaum suggests, to those who want to make a lasting
difference in someone else’s life, setting up programs of
ongoing visits. He pointed out that relationships mean
give-and-take. Visitors to the sick should not just drop
things off; rather they should stay and listen to what the
person has to say. This makes the person feel as though
this visitor really cares. If such visits can be done on an
ongoing basis they give the patient something to which to
look forward, as well as a sense of fulfillment and of being
wanted.
OU/Parkside
Memorial Chapel Levaya Program
The Orthodox Union has forged a revolutionary alliance that
will substantially lower the costs of Jewish funerals in the
greater New York area, while strictly adhering to the
halachic guidelines of the burial process. Eventually, we
expect that this landmark “package” will lead to lower
funeral costs throughout the country.
In
a milestone agreement, the OU has joined with Parkside
Memorial Chapels—one of the most reputable, independent
Jewish funeral homes—to create a fixed price of $2,795 for
funerals including a chapel service, or $2,495 with a
graveside service. According to past, New York Commissioner
of Consumer Affairs Jules Polonetsky, “the average cost of a
funeral in New York City is $6,700”. By cutting the cost by
more than half, the OU-Parkside deal will revolutionize the
already emotional and monetarily taxing experience of
burying a loved one.
The plan provides for the local transfer (hotza’ah)
of the deceased within the five boroughs of New York to the
Parkside chapels in Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, and Long
Island. The linen shrouds and a traditional pine coffin are
included. All halachic
details of the program, including the
tahara, will be
performed by the Chevra Kadisha of the Vaad Harabanim of
Queens under the supervision of Rabbi Elchonon Zohn.
Taharot in
Brooklyn will be performed by the Chevra Kadisha of the Vaad
Harabbanim of Flatbush.
This service is currently available in the New York area.
To access this service, call 1-877-LEVAYA-OU
(1-877-538-2926). All communities can call the OU for
information and details,
For New York area synagogues, please publicize this
information, and put it in your synagogue newsletter over
the upcoming months. For synagogues outside the New York
area, negotiations have already begun to arrange similar
“packages” in several communities across the United States.
If you believe a similar arrangement should be established
in your area, please call Rabbi Moshe D. Krupka, (212)
613-8225 for the OU’s assistance in negotiations. For more
information visit
www.ou.org/oupr/2000/parkside00.htm
or call 212-613-8300.
Shatnes
Awareness – New Issues
The Shatnes Laboratory has pointed out that many of the more
expensive wool suits have linen in the collar. All wool
clothing should be checked for Shatnes. Many shuls have a
Shatnes checker visit the shul several times a year to check
congregants’ clothing. To find a local Shatnes checker, or
to arrange to send garments to the Shatnes Lab, call: (718)
387-8520
Synagogue
Window Security
Dave Deavitt of U.S./Ace Window Security and Design offered
the following information: “We have helped various Jewish
Communities here in the U.S. We offer safety and security
laminates which protect people and property from violent
crimes (bullets and bomb blasts), smash and grab type
crimes, violent weather conditions (earthquakes, hurricanes,
etc.), and ultra violet ray protection if desired. Our
safety and security laminates were originally designed to
protect people and property from terrorist acts in Europe
and the Middle East. Recently, testing was done at Quantico
Marine Base (Virginia) for the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Now,
many government, corporate and law enforcement agencies
including the Pentagon, the Israeli Embassy, and the FBI
Complex are utilizing this truly affordable safety
alternative. These laminated films are tough, extremely
durable, and once applied to EXISTING GLASS create a
virtually penetration-resistant invisible shield.
Under the trademark name Clear Defense, these laminated
films will not yellow in time and there is a 10yr warranty
on peeling or bubbling of any kind.
An
informational video and packet with references, technical
data, and just about anything you need to know about our
products can be procured free of charge by contacting
glassprotection@aol.com or calling (760) 630-6895 or (760)
293-0501,
www.ace4u.com.
Task Force
on Missionaries & Cults
The Task Force on Missionaries & Cults of the Jewish
Community Relations Council of New York has a website at
http://www.tfmc.us/ The site contains important, useful
articles and press-releases, the TFMC Newsletter, and other
relevant material including the legal guidelines for Jewish
organizations. In conjunction with JCRC's Jewish Legal
Assistance Program, the TFMC is disseminating legal
guidelines by which Jewish communal organizations can
discourage infiltration of missionary groups and
individuals.
The Task Force Speakers Bureau provides speakers and videos
for engaging programs for all ages and educational
backgrounds. It has produced the first in-depth educational
documentary and discussion guide on the “Hebrew-Christian”
phenomenon for distribution to individuals and organizations
worldwide.
As
synagogue executives, there are surprisingly many cult
related issues that are important to bear in mind. Cult and
missionary group representatives have been known to get a
foot in a shul or a Jewish community’s door by seeking
membership or employment within the Jewish community. Cult
and missionary groups, especially rich ones - who can afford
long legal battles - tend to dangerously wave the first
amendment to defend their members’ “rights” to join or to
work for whatever institution they wish, and to preach what
they want where they want. Synagogue leaders must be aware
of their own institution’s legal rights.
Furthermore, many proselytizing groups hide behind the
facade of “Jewish”, educational, and/or community service
“programs”. Some examples of programs cults have used
include scholastic help,
AIDS education, and even Kabbalah study. Cults employ these
“services” to gain acceptance into Jewish or community
institutions and to lure unsuspecting victims for their
proselytizing. They use aliases; some “Jewish-Christian”
groups use names which they hope will be mistaken as a
mainstream Jewish organization.
Synagogue executive directors should stay abreast of the
names of locally active cult and Hebrew-Christian groups.
This knowledge is important to know when accepting ads for
your newsletter, or facilitators for secular programs your
synagogue runs. If your synagogue building rents space,
then this information will prove particularly pertinent.
The Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs in conjunction with The
Jewish Community Council of New York’s Task Force on
Missionaries and Cults publishes a manual called “Countering
Hebrew-Christianity: A Guide for the Jewish Community”.
This helpful guide deals with many cult related concerns,
and answers many questions that have or may come to mind. A
sampling from the table of contents: “Hebrew -Christian
groups: Who are they really?” “Jews, don’t be fooled: Know
the opposition” “Remember who is most at risk!” (Note:
these groups often prey on immigrants or other unaffiliated
groups with moderate Jewish education at best, who are
seeking a sense of belonging - people your synagogue may be
trying to help). “Fighting back: some suggested
procedures.” The manual contains “Resource Materials”
featuring “Sample presentations to a synagogue Board of
Directors”, and “Legal guidelines”. There is a North
American listing of “Groups that are of concern to the
Jewish community” - listed by state and province, and “A
partial list of Hebrew-Christian establishments”. There are
also sample resource materials, program suggestions, and a
“College packet”.
The Jewish Community Relations Council of New York monitors
all cult activity, and has a lawyer on staff who should be
called if any situations in your community arise. The Task
Force on Cults of the JCRC is also prepared to help you
develop a community education plan.
To
purchase the manual “Countering Hebrew-Christianity: A guide
for the Jewish Community”, call the
JCRC at :
(212) 983-4800,
or write: The Jewish Community Relations Council of New
York, Inc., Task Force on Missionaries and Cults, 711 Third
Avenue, 12th floor, NY, NY 10017
For more information, please contact the Task Force at
212-983-4800, ext. 127.
The current issue of “Synagogue Trends” which was included
with the preceding issue of “Hanhala” has spurred interest
in the Universal Torah Registry. At the next meeting of the
NCSD we are fortunate to be joined by David Pollock. Mr.
Pollock is the Associate Executive Director of the Jewish
Community Relations Council of New York (JCRC), which is the
central coordinating and resource body for over 60 major
Jewish Organizations in the New York metropolitan area.
Mr. Pollock is also Administrator of the Universal Torah
Registry and has played a key role in Development of the
methodology employed by the Torah Registry. He is also
heavily involved with the NYPD “Torah Task Force” – an elite
unit of detectives and prosecutors who pursue and prosecute
those who steal traffic in looted religious articles.
Mr. Pollock is also the director of government relations for
the JCRC. His duties include articulating Jewish communal
concerns regarding community relations issues to federal,
state, and city officials. He is a liaison for the Jewish
community with law enforcement officials and is active in
the development of intergroup relations strategies for the
Jewish Community.
Mr. Pollock has gained a degree of expertise in
understanding legal boundaries regarding Jewish
institutions. He will begin to help NCSD members to
establish parameters for interaction with unruly, offensive,
or otherwise unwanted synagogue visitors.
E-Mail
Distribution Lists
There are many important, informative e-mail distribution
lists available from the OU. Some examples, Kashruth
alerts, Torah Insights, Institute for Public Affairs
updates, and press releases of what’s new at the OU. Click
on: http://www.ou.org/lists/default.htm
Helping
Holocaust Survivors
Here is an opportunity for your multi-lingual members to use
their skills for the benefit of Holocaust survivors. The
international effort to provide reparation payments to
Holocaust survivors is entering a new phase this month with
the opening of a customer service center in downtown
Manhattan. Designed to handle inquiries from around the
world, this center will be staffed 24 hours a day.
Staffmark has been employed to staff the project with
English fluent service representatives with great
interpersonal skill who can translate Hebrew, French, Czech,
Romanian, Russian, German, Polish, Hungarian, Spanish and/or
Yiddish. There are full and part time shifts – this might
be of interest to students. Pay ranges from $9-$13/H. Call
(212) 271-3900 for information.
In-house vs. “Out-Sourced” Catering
At
the last meeting of the NCSD one topic of discussion
regarded caterers.
Some synagogues have an exclusive caterer who caters all
in-house affairs. A more rare but similar set-up is where
an ‘in-house’ caterer has a business based in the shul.
There are obvious advantages to these set ups: The
executive director does not have to be overly involved with
constantly updating and educating this caterer of the ‘lay
of the land’; standards regarding which rooms are used,
who’s responsible for setting or cleaning what, and all
food, kitchen and kashruth issues will be set.
However, there are down-sides to having an exclusive or
in-house caterer. Sometimes such a caterer encroaches on
the executive director’s area of responsibility, doing
things his/her way instead of yours. One way to avoid this
is by having the caterer book the dining room/hall through
the executive director. The caterer is responsible for the
simcha - an in house caterer might be responsible for the
kitchen as well - but the rental hall/ball room is the
responsibility of the executive director. Emphasizing
that delineation could alleviate undue stress.
Even after the room is booked it is important to maintain a
degree of flexibility. One NCSD member recounted a
situation where the hall was rented to a non-member of the
synagogue and in the eleventh hour a member insisted that he
needed the room and that he had mentioned this to ‘someone’
from the synagogue Board or administration a yovel earlier.
(Similarly, synagogue members have been known to make their
decisions last minute as well). The executive director and
the caterer emptied out another room in the synagogue and
put the smaller party in that room.
Another NCSD member added valuable input regarding
responsibility for the rental hall: It may be the executive
director’s responsibility
ultimately, but
the caterer makes enough money from that hall that the
caterer should be vested. This director’s synagogue did
several thousand dollars worth of refurbishing their hall.
The caterer footed half the bill. Someone at the NCSD
meeting suggested that the caterer’s contract should reflect
the caterers responsibilities to the upkeep of the room.
Membership
Due$
$everal
issues ago executive directors were requested to send in
information regarding the ways that their synagogues
structure their dues. The results were varied and diverse.
Below are some synagogues’ dues structures as culled from
the responses received. Local cost of living is of course a
factor in synagogue dues related pricing, so actual amounts
are being left out.
From the simple to the complex: one shul simply sets a
standard “family
membership”, and offers (significantly)
discounted membership to singles and to seniors. This
includes High Holiday seats. Of course there are some
synagogues which charge extra for High Holiday seats – and
for grave plots, and building funds etc. Another synagogue
also offers a student
rate. Several synagogues break up the categories
a bit more, adding a discounted category for families [whose
’head of the household’ is] younger than 35. One synagogue
differentiates rates between singles above and below 30
years old, and one has different rates for singles 29 and
younger, 30-34 years old, and over 34 and a separate rate
for married couples whose male is in those age groups.
Another shul offers “associate
membership” for congregants who are full dues
paying members of another local synagogue. One synagogue
offers a discount for members who pay their dues by January
15.
Building funds are usually-but-not-exclusively charged in
shuls which have recently done, soon hope to do, or are
currently building, remodeling or rebuilding. Several
synagogues have significant building fund dues which are
expected to be paid over 4 or 5 year installments. Building
funds too tend to be dependent on age brackets.
One West Coast synagogue has a very specific, age-based dues
system. Their first year’s membership is free, as is
membership for singles or couples under 25 years old – but
High Holiday seats and a pre-school discount are not
included. When a single, or elder spouse turns 25 there is
a low membership due, singles paying less than 1 third the
amount couples pay. From that point on every year until
they reach 41 years old, their dues increase by $25
increments. For members 41 years old and older there is a
standard amount. There are “Patron” memberships, as well as
several other more expensive levels of membership.
Membership includes one high holiday seat per member. Extra
seats are available to members for a fee.
Synagogues utilize differing methods for their Orthodox
Union synagogue membership dues. Most synagogues include OU
dues in their budget. Some synagogues add a directed $10
to members’ synagogue dues, and others collect OU dues in a
separate appeal or mailing.
The most innovative membership campaign came from the East
Coast. A plan that a synagogue Board of Trustees recently
adopted has the synagogue bookkeeper tallying up the average
that each member gave to the synagogue during the preceding
two years. This includes dues, High Holiday seats, Kol
Nidre appeal, and dinner-journal. Each member will then be
required to pay their individual average, plus an additional
10% in 1999, another 10% in 2000 and a final additional 5%
in 2001, when the plan will be reviewed. Members have the
choice of paying the additions all at once, or over the
course of the year on a monthly basis. The synagogue would
run its annual dinner, but as a tribute or a social event,
not as a fund raiser – plates would be sold at cost. The
synagogue would not do any additional fundraising during the
year so that it can devote its resources to running programs
and not to raising money. New members would have nominal
dues, differentiating between singles and couples. After
their first year, new members would be asked to move up to
the commitment levels of existing members and if possible,
to take a leadership role in supporting the synagogue
financially.
This synagogue wants its members to realize that it takes
money to effectively run a vibrant, active synagogue – and
that if the synagogue staff has to constantly remind the
membership to contribute to various programs throughout the
year, the staff’s effectiveness is diminished. The
synagogue also believes that it will change people’s
perception of their relationship to the synagogue, changing
the view of members’ financial commitments from a gift to an
obligation. It’s an interesting plan which the
synagogue leadership realizes will take a lot of continued
work with the members on an individual basis. Stay
tuned for reports of this plan’s implementation and degree
of success.
Fundraising
through Magazine Subscriptions
One tried and true method of peripheral synagogue
fund-raising is magazine subscription sales. Magazine’s
earn their keep from advertisers, not from subscribers.
Advertisers pay higher advertising prices for magazines with
more subscribers. Thus, magazines will reduce prices to
just about the price of printing and mailing to increase
their subscribers.
Synagogues can thus sell magazine subscriptions at
competitive rates, and keep a substantial percentage of
net. But not-for-profit organizations are sometimes wary of
magazine sales because fund-raisers often guilt people into
buying things they don’t want. A solution is to get
synagogue members into the habit of buying
any magazine
subscription they get through the shul - bulletins could
announce this initiative, and “periodical”ly announce the
profits to-date. For information call Maynard Merel at
(888) 857-4636.
Donating
Leftovers
After a big kiddush, a Lag B’omer picnic, or a Bris
synagogues have the mixed blessing of leftovers - often lots
of them. A common question executive directors ask, is what
do we do with leftovers. Some communities have volunteers
who deliver their leftovers to designated recipients. This
food can be of great assistance to homebound and the less
well off. Unfortunately all too often such food is wasted.
Dr. Alan Singer, Executive Director of Congregation Shearith
Israel found a noteworthy solution to this issue for the
Upper Manhattan area: “At the March 18, 1998 Executive
directors meeting, I described our distribution of leftover
food to the kosher kitchen at Metro House, 117 West 70th
Street. Half of the 60 residents are Jewish, many of them
formerly homeless. Other than one hot kosher meal per day
(airline style), which they purchase for $1, any other food
must come out of their limited personal funds.
“It is a pity to discard leftovers when needy Jews are close
by...” Dr. Singer arranged to foot the bill for a messenger
service - “Brisk”, which will pick up local shuls’ leftovers
for a discounted price.
Renting
Synagogue Space To Non-Members
As
Orthodox Jews, we desire to embrace all Jewish people. Out
of prudence, the synagogue is available for rental (much of
a shul’s budget may come about this way) - however, a
bris-milah
presents a noteworthy consideration: there is a tendency to
look back at the location where a
bris ceremony
was held in order to determine a man’s Jewish validity.
This means that by allowing the
bris of a
stranger to take place in an Orthodox shul, the shul is -
indirectly and unintentionally - “certifying“ the
bris recipient
as a Jew within the parameters of Orthodox Judaism.
Although we value bringing new families closer to a Torah
environment, this external assumption must be realized. The
same consideration should be made regarding weddings, as a
marriage’s validity is sometimes assumed based upon where it
took place.
There were two methods presented. Both views stress the
need for rabbinical input on deciding who should be allowed
to have certain religious ceremonies within the shul. One
opinion is that only the rabbi of the synagogue be allowed
to perform weddings in the shul. This allows the rabbi to
assure that only couples who meet Orthodox Jewish standards
as defined by the Rabbi could marry in the shul, thus
legitimizing the assumption that couples married there are
Jewish within Orthodox parameters, and that their wedding is
truly mekudash.
It is rarer however to find a shul rabbi who conducts
brissim, so this
method of deciding which non-members of the synagogue can
use the shul would rarely work regarding
bris-milah.
The second approach works for
brissim and for
weddings. In this method, the rabbi sets a standard - or
even provides a list - of acceptable rabbi’s who are allowed
to perform ritual ceremonies in the shul. Again this method
assures that the assumption of acceptability of the man or
the couple that is apt to occur will be correct.
The obvious danger of either of these methods lies in the
possibility that not every synagogue will uphold these
strictures. If some synagogues are this strict, the
synagogues which are may be cited to prove the assumptions
of legitimacy for synagogues which aren’t. This concern is
backwards. Synagogues need to be wary of the potential for
people to assume that “the synagogue makes the man”; this
potential exists even if not one Orthodox synagogue set
standards.
A
question with less monumental significance is, does the
synagogue allow non-member
bar-mitzvah’s.
Beside the position that allows for
bar-mitzvah’s of
non-members, regardless, this question saw four approaches:
1. Some shuls
simply do not allow non-member bar mitzvah’s in the
synagogue. This hard-line approach is more difficult for
shuls that “leb fun dem”
- synagogues dependent on every possible rental of the
facility to make ends meet.
2. Some
synagogues do not allow non members to hold bar mitzvah’s in
the shul on shabbos, but allow it during the week.
3. Other shuls
allow outsiders to have
bar-mitzvah’s in the synagogue provided that the
bar-mitzvah
(boy) goes through the synagogues Hebrew school (synagogues
can adjust this to: studying with the rabbi, or with a
teacher appointed or accepted by the rabbi).
4. And then
there are legends of synagogues who allow “outside”
bar-mitzvah’s in
the shul, but they charge the family rental + the price of
membership for the affair. Yes, the
bar-mitzvah’s
family is then entitled to the benefits of membership.
Whether he’s a “maintenance man”, a “janitor”, a
“custodian”, or a “superintendent”, the role he plays in the
synagogue is crucial. Often, his tenure precedes the
executive director’s. Sometimes he does not work up to the
level of an executive director’s expectations. In such
cases, he is sometimes nonetheless kept on for sentimental
reasons. In these cases, a Board needs to see clear
incompetence before any moves toward dismissal can be
introduced. If the Board still insists on keeping him on,
try to view the (tenuous) positive side: the Board has
Okayed an amount of incompetence. Other times he’s kept on
because he has an expertise as a “Shabbos goy” - this is an
important consideration, and with the rabbi’s
halachic
guidance a significant compensation. One anecdotal
caveat: legend tells of the synagogue who’s Jewishly
entrenched custodian converted
k’din u-k’halacha.
Now he’s not just the janitor, he’s also a member. |
