SAN DIEGO (Press Release) –– Tifereth Israel Synagogue in the San Diego neighborhood of San Carlos is breaking the mold in local synagogue financing by eliminating mandatory membership dues and asking congregants to contribute what they wish.
Administrators at the Conservative congregation are confident that members’ voluntary contributions will be more than enough to sustain operations.
“When it came time to build the Mishkan, the tent-sanctuary in which the Israelites worshiped in the Sinai desert, every Israelite was expected to bring a freewill offering of their own choosing to build the sanctuary – but God did not say how much,” noted Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal. “God knew that because of the Israelites’ love of their faith and tradition, they would be as generous as possible. I am confident that our congregants will do the same.”
In fact, the Biblical chapter Rabbi Rosenthal refers to is known as T’rumah, which is the name of the new financial model at Tifereth Israel.
Synagogues across the country finance their operations by charging dues for members, with factors such as family size and age determining the amount required. And families typically must provide documentation of a financial hardship when seeking a dues reduction.
At Tifereth Israel, that will no longer be the case.
“No Jew who wants to join our congregation will ever again feel daunted by the financial process inherent with the old system,” said Jerry Hermes, the incoming president of the congregation’s Board of Directors. “We hope Jews who are looking for a stress-free and open synagogue experience will give us a long look.”
The transformation comes amid growing conversation across the country questioning the long-term sustainability of the traditional membership dues structure. Declining membership combined with the inflationary costs of operating a synagogue has forced many congregations to hike their dues in recent years to keep afloat financially. And that has contributed, in many cases, to further declines in membership.
Tifereth Israel Synagogue is confident it will attract additional members as people discover the congregation has eliminated mandatory dues. And a large number of current members say they will give more than they have in the past. Temple Israel, a Conservative congregation in the Boston suburb of Sharon, Mass., has seen a rise in income and a growth in membership after adopting a similar model.
“We strongly believe that this innovative program will enhance and ensure the continued vibrancy of Tifereth Israel,” said congregation President Dr. Seth Krosner.
Approximately 500 people are members of the synagogue, which was founded in 1905 and remains one of the larger Conservative congregations in the region. The Tifereth Israel Synagogue campus at 6660 Cowles Mountain Boulevard in east San Diego is home to the Silverman Preschool, Tifereth Israel Torah School, and the nondenominational Tifereth Israel Community Orchestra. Tifereth Israel is an egalitarian congregation that has long represented both tradition and innovation in the Jewish community.
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Preceding provided by Tifereth Israel Synagogue