membership
2022-23
TEMPLE SINAI OF ROSLYN
W H E R E E V E RY
HAS A HOME
Summer is just around the corner, and so is Temple Sinai’s new fiscal year. This means your Temple Sinai membership renewal is on its way. This is a special year for Temple Sinai; it’s our 75th Anniversary! Over the past year, your Board has been reviewing temple operations in an effort to strengthen our community and ensure our sustainability for the next 75 years and beyond. Over the coming year, beginning with the information in this booklet, you will see: • A new approach to membership which is designed to keep more members engaged with the synagogue through a flexible menu of membership options • The member renewal process has been moved online, eliminating credit card surcharges on membership dues • Recognition and celebration of our 75th Anniversary. Alongside our annual Kol Nidre fundraising campaign, we will launch a development effort to build our temple’s endowment to ensure a strong future. Our fundraising will culminate with a celebratory 75th Anniversary Gala in the spring of 2023. Stay tuned for additional programs that will recognize our Diamond Jubilee Year! • Our ECC is a vibrant, financially sustainable, premier early education program, and is a source of pride for our Temple Sinai community As you turn the pages of this booklet, you will learn about our new membership tiers in detail, but I’ll summarize what we’re doing and why. Temples are charities; they are religious institutions designed to fulfill the spiritual, emotional, pastoral, and educational needs of our community. Temple Sinai’s dues revenue covers just over half of our annual operating budget; the balance comes predominantly from the generous support of members through Kol Nidre pledges, the annual gala, various fundraising campaigns, or Lev Society dues. For most of our members, the 2022-2023 annual expense for belonging to Temple Sinai will remain similar to last year at $3,300. Our security fee will no longer be assessed separately ($250 last year; $360 previously), and we are eliminating credit card surcharges on membership dues in support of a more simplified approach. For your convenience, your membership can be auto-billed to a credit card. Those who pay in full at the time of renewal via cash or check will receive a $100 discount.
Over time, Temple Sinai has consistently attracted new members each year, which is not surprising given the warmth of our synagogue, the breadth and quality of our programming, the wisdom of our clergy, and the connection among our community. However, each year some don’t renew their membership - typically, after a family’s children are no longer active in youth programming, or once they’ve left the nest. Temple Sinai does not want to lose you! Anyone who does not have children in our Religious School or Teen Programs (these programs are already heavily subsidized) is now eligible to join Temple Sinai as a SUSTAINER family for $2,100, or single for $1,300. This represents a substantial discount over the traditional membership. Should you have the need for clergy services that are not included with the SUSTAINER tier (e.g. officiating at a wedding or funeral), you will be required to step-up to the ADVOCATE tier. We’re also introducing an out-of-area (SUPPORTER) membership tier and a tenured (GUARDIAN) membership tier to recognize our longest serving members with special pricing. As we’ve communicated several times over the years, the cost of operating our temple is just over $6,000 per family per year. Our research has confirmed that temple dues typically cover about 50-60% of the operating budget in similarly situated synagogues throughout the U.S. Temple Sinai is a charity - we serve our community. Those who are most fortunate among us donate generously to ensure that our organization is viable. Our LEV SOCIETY is one of our most important avenues for fundraising. The LEV SOCIETY is a membership tier with voluntary dues of $6,000, $10,000 or $18,000/year with special recognition. Through your participation in the LEV SOCIETY, you are enabling us to continue the sacred work of our synagogue. You will learn more about our new approach to belonging to Temple Sinai along with our LEV SOCIETY appeal as you review your membership options. There is no need to return paper forms to renew your membership - everything can be accessed though our website at mysinai.org/membership, or simply click the Membership tab at the top of our home page. With no credit card fees, the billing interval of your choice (monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, annual) and a newly upgraded member portal, this couldn’t be easier. L’Shalom,
Amy Braunstein President
our membership tiers Our new membership tiers provide you with a more personalized experience within our vibrant Jewish community, dedicated to social action, Torah learning, and meaningful relationships. The next section provides details on the benefits associated with each tier.
ADVOCATE
ADVOCATE TIER Devotees of Temple Sinai who have children enrolled in Religious School, B’nei Mitzvah, or Teen Programs, from Kindergarten through 12th Grade. This is the minimum level of commitment required, as the cost of these programs is partially subsidized by Temple Sinai. This tier was previously known as the Family Level. PLEASE NOTE: Tuition for the Early Childhood Center, Religious School, and Teen Programs is ADDITIONAL and requires separate applications.
SUSTAINER TIER Our basic membership for devotees of Temple Sinai.
SUSTAINER
Those who join at the SUSTAINER tier may upgrade their tier upon request.
SUPPORTER
SUPPORTER TIER For those who belong to another synagogue or live beyond commuting distance to Temple Sinai (a 60-mile radius) but wish to remain connected to our community.
GUARDIAN
GUARDIAN TIER A reduced-rate membership for devotees of Temple Sinai whose years of temple membership (as the primary or secondary member), PLUS their age equals 100 or more.
PILLAR
For example, 34 years of Temple Sinai membership + 72 years of age = 106 - this person qualifies for the GUARDIAN membership tier.
PILLAR TIER Devotees of Temple Sinai whose years of temple membership (as the primary or secondary member), PLUS their age equals 100 or more, who choose to make a one-time payment that qualifies them as Lifetime Members.
The LEV SOCIETY membership tiers were created for a unique cadre of our members who are passionate about Temple Sinai’s mission and vision; members who are committed to investing in the epicenter of progressive Jewish life on Long Island. We are seeking the involvement of those whose hearts so move them, to catapult our synagogue to the next level.
LEV CHAMPION
LEV CHAMPION TIER Devotees of Temple Sinai, whose dues cover the ACTUAL cost of their household’s engagement in the Temple Sinai community.
LEV BENEFACTOR TIER Devotees of Temple Sinai whose dues cover the cost of their household’s engagement at Temple Sinai AND enable another household to remain part of our community.
LEV BENEFACTOR
LEV VISIONARY LEV VISIONARY TIER Devotees of Temple Sinai whose contribution secures a meaningful center of Jewish life for future generations.
Membership has its benefits All worship services PLUS: Life Cycles and Milestones: (onsite only)
• High Holy Day tickets for all household members 26 and under • Connection with clergy (counseling) • Adult Engagement programming (including clergy classes)
• Memorial plaque dedications
• Baby naming (during Shabbat services) • Pre-wedding blessing (during Shabbat services)
Security Assessments Life Cycles * such as:
• Weddings • Funerals
• Unveilings • Shiva Minyan
Donor Acknowledgements Two (2) tickets to the Annual Gala Two (2) High Holy Days guest tickets Membership in Brotherhood and Friend of a Friend Donations for ARZA and Joy of Shabbat Recognized for Gala contribution ($500) Two additional High Holy Days guest tickets (4 total) High Holy Days parking spot Mezuzah and clergy blessing Recognized for Kol Nidre contribution ($5,000) Recognized for Gala contribution ($3,500 total) Feature interview about your household in the SCRIBE
*Facility fees apply for onsite ceremonies; see additional facts for details
ADVOCATE
SUSTAINER
SUPPORTER
GUARDIAN
PILLAR
LEV CHAMPION
LLAR
LEV CHAMPION
LEV BENEFACTOR
LEV VISIONARY
additional facts • The SUSTAINER and SUPPORTER tiers include only life cycles and milestones that take place during Friday night Shabbat services. • Should you have the need for clergy services that are not included with the SUSTAINER tier (e.g. officiating at a wedding or funeral), you will be required to step-up to the ADVOCATE tier. • At the ADVOCATE, GUARDIAN, and PILLAR membership tiers, a facility fee will be assessed for life cycle ceremonies held in either the Sanctuary or the Simcha Room: $500 (Monday-Saturday), $1,000 (Sunday). • Membership in Brotherhood and Friend of a Friend, as well as donations to ARZA and Joy of Shabbat are ADDITIONAL They are included in all LEV tier memberships. BROTHERHOOD: Temple Sinai’s men’s group offers a variety of programs and activities all year long. FRIEND OF A FRIEND: A dynamic inter-generational group of women, the mission of Friend of a Friend/Chaverot is to provide social outreach programs which will enhance members’ connection to the temple and to Judaism. ARZA (Association of Reform Zionists in America): Support the Reform movement in Israel. JOY OF SHABBAT: Enhance all aspects of Shabbat worship, including but not limited to, streaming, flowers, and oneg.
fiscal year 2022-23 membership dues* Family
Single
Family
$2,100
$210
$3,300
$330
SUSTAINER1
$1,300
$130
$2,100
$210
SUPPORTER²
$1,300
$130
$2,100
$210
GUARDIAN³
$1,300
$130
$2,100
$210
Membership Tier
Single
ADVOCATE
Paying Monthly**
PILLAR³
$36,000
LEV CHAMPION
$6,000
LEV BENEFACTOR
$10,000
LEV VISIONARY
$18,000
one-time payment (Lifetime Member)
Paying Monthly**
your choice of billing interval: monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual Discounted, paid-in-full, cash or check only
* ** 1
2 3
Single
Family
$2,000
$3,200
$1,200
$2,000
$1,200
$2,000
$1,200
$2,000
building fund Members are required to contribute $1,800 toward the Building Fund. This fee is payable in installments over the first six years of membership ($300 per year), or it can be paid in full.
Security assessment included in all tiers. Annual payment is divided into TEN monthly payments (July 2022 - April 2023). Those who join at the SUSTAINER tier may change their tier upon request and will be billed for the price difference between the two tiers. The SUPPORTER tier is only open to those who belong to another synagogue or those who live at least 60 miles away from Temple Sinai. Both the GUARDIAN and PILLAR tiers are only open to those who qualify using the following equation: the years of temple membership (as the primary or secondary member) PLUS your age equals 100 or more.
frequently asked questions What are membership dues used for? Membership dues cover approximately 50% of Temple Sinai’s operating expenses, including salaries, utilities, supplies, building and grounds maintenance, insurance, etc. Your membership and additional generous donations ensure that we, and future generations, continue to experience a Jewish home at Temple Sinai of Roslyn.
Why are we making changes to our current membership structure? This is a special year for Temple Sinai, our 75th Anniversary. Over the past year, your Board and professional staff have been listening to the needs of our members and determining a path to strengthen our community and our operations to ensure our sustainability for the next 75 years and beyond.
Do I have to pay towards the Building Fund? The Building Fund is a contribution each new member household makes to support Temple Sinai for the future. Members are required to contribute $1,800 toward the Building Fund. This fee is payable in installments over the first six years of membership ($300 per year), or it can be paid in full. Once you have paid the total commitment, families will never be asked to make additional contributions to the Building Fund, even if the commitment increases beyond $1,800 in the future. Members who submit proof of having paid a Building Fund at another synagogue are exempt from this fee. Supporting the future of Judaism at any congregation helps preserve Jewish life for future generations.
What if I cannot afford a membership? Members will not be turned away and we will work with you confidentially to make arrangements that are affordable.
I forgot my ShulCloud password? How can I log in? At the top right corner of the Temple Sinai website (mysinai.org), click on the Login button.
Click Forgot Password.
Enter your email address. Click Email Password. You will then be sent an email from Temple Sinai. Open the email and click the Login Link. Enter a new password, then enter it again. Click Save Password. You will now be logged into your ShulCloud account and can renew your temple membership.
Who can I contact if I have questions? Email us at membership@mysinai.org or call 516.621.6800 ext. 150 and leave a message. We will respond by the end of the next business day.
Temple Sinai of Roslyn 425 Roslyn Road Roslyn Heights, NY 11577