Kol Nidre Appeal 2003 One Rosh Hashanah morning, the Rabbi ...

Our theme for this year is: Transitions… past, present, and future. We’ve decided to use
several surveys during this transition. First, we sent out a survey to members who live
closer to Fleming Road to determine the needs of that group. Right now we’re following
up with phone calls to those who didn’t respond. We must know who will need
transportation to our new facility on Fields Ertel Road and, who would like to have a
regularly scheduled minyan on this side of town. Once we can get all those result in,
we’ll be able to plan. A second survey got some of you confused. The Oral History
Committee sent out a survey to collect information that they will use in creating an Oral
History of the members of Northern Hills Synagogue. What a wonderful project that will
be as we reflect on the past and build to the future. And, shortly after we make our move,
we’ll be sending out a third survey to get your input as we chart our course for the future
This is truly a time of transition. Last year at this time we had just dedicated our property
on Fields-Ertel. Today, our building is going up before our eyes – see the photos in the
lobby, if you haven’t looked at them yet! And… we have good news. We have two
parties interested in purchasing this facility.
Long ago, our sages said, “Do not rely on miracles.” More recently, Chaim Weizmann,
Israel’s first president said, “Miracles sometimes occur but one has to work terribly hard
for them.”
Through our involving, consensus-building approach, and hard work NHS-CBA is
creating our own miracles.
During these holidays, Rabbi Barnard has reflected on this theme of transitions, , and on
our congregational statement of Core Values. These Core Values are our foundation, and
have guideds us from the past, through the present, and will carry us into the future. One
of our core values is “We will not turn away any members because they cannot afford
dues. We will strive to keep dues as low as possible by encouraging voluntary
contributions, such as through a High Holiday Appeal.”
As you know, our dues structure is not based on a percentage of ones income. We
welcome members even when they cannot afford dues. In fact, over a quarter of our
membership is on reduced dues. The Kol Nidre Appeal, as distinct from fixed dues, is the
opportunity for each of us to contribute to our synagogue community in a flexible
manner, in line with our individual ability to give.
In making this appeal, my predecessors – going back over 40 years – spent time telling
you about expenses: utilities, maintenance, salaries, supplies, postage, and all the other
costs. Tonight, I won’t .You already know we have costs and we do our best to contain
and control them. You know that last year in order to contain costs, we cut back on the
hours of our employees, and with great fiscal oversight on the part of Phyliss Shubs, we
were able to substantially cut maintenance and supply costs
Instead…my theme is income – making sure we have enough income to cover our day-