2007 - United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism
2007 - United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism
2007 - United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism
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500-900 Margate, FL<br />
Submitted by Michael Greenberg and 954-968-4545<br />
Gary Grossman<br />
<strong>Synagogue</strong>s need to keep up with sources <strong>of</strong> funding to make sure that they are not “under funded.” Often, in the past,<br />
traditional fund raisers, dues and High Holy Days appeals were enough to cover the costs <strong>of</strong> operating and flourishing<br />
as a synagogue. For many mature congregations, that no longer works. They are <strong>of</strong>ten under funded as they leave the<br />
rapid growth cycle and become stable, ongoing, mature, institutional entities.<br />
The good news for Temple Beth Am is that we are a mature, powerful and strong institutional entity. But our<br />
rapid growth cycle days are over. To make sure that we are not under funded, that we have enough resources to continue<br />
to be the largest and most creative <strong>Conservative</strong> synagogue in Broward County, we established an Endowment Fund<br />
Campaign.<br />
Our goal is to insure that the current membership and future generations are able to enjoy the highest quality <strong>of</strong><br />
programs, services and pr<strong>of</strong>essional leadership. That’s the underlying reason for this Endowment Fund.<br />
By the High Holy Days 2005, we were already at more than half <strong>of</strong> our goal, and only a fraction <strong>of</strong> our families<br />
had become involved. How did this happen? We hired a consulting firm to run the campaign and teach our volunteers<br />
how to make solicitation calls to our members. Volunteers met on many occasions for a phone-a-thon, trying to set up<br />
appointments to meet with prospective contributors. At one point we had 17 volunteer solicitors who were assuming<br />
222 assignments. In addition, mass mailings were sent to the entire congregation for solicitation.<br />
Many <strong>of</strong> those able to make significant gifts had done so. No gift was considered too small, and all gifts would<br />
be recognized on the Central Recognition Wall <strong>of</strong> Honor. We hope that every single one <strong>of</strong> our members will stand up<br />
and be counted. We look forward to a most successful Endowment Campaign in which we surpass our goal.<br />
GOLD<br />
Over 900<br />
HAR ZION TEMPLE<br />
Penn Valley, PA<br />
610-667-5000<br />
Madregot is the special needs program <strong>of</strong> the Jane Fishman Grinberg Religious School <strong>of</strong> Har Zion Temple, located in<br />
Penn Valley, Pennsylvania. Individuals with learning differences and disabilities including autism, neurologic<br />
impairment, cerebral palsy and others are welcomed into a nurturing Jewish learning environment. The plan for<br />
fundraising was three fold. We needed to raise awareness <strong>of</strong> our Madregot special needs program and raise funds to<br />
supplement the program. We also wanted to involve the entire Har Zion Temple community in this fundraising effort.<br />
Interested members formed a committee to decide on exactly how to accomplish our goals, and we quickly<br />
decided that we needed something simple, yet effective. The committee consisted <strong>of</strong> clergy, senior staff, members <strong>of</strong><br />
the school committee, lay leaders and the Madregot subcommittee chair. We decided to sell cut-out figures in the shape<br />
<strong>of</strong> children that could be decorated tne connected hand-in-hand throughout the synagogue. Each figure sold for $18 and<br />
we encouraged congregants to purchase a minyan (10 figures) or a village (20 figures); but most importantly, to<br />
participate.<br />
Education was an important piece <strong>of</strong> this endeavor because we did not just want to raise funds, but also wanted our Har<br />
Zion community and the community at large to get a closer look at this very special program. We wanted all <strong>of</strong> our<br />
children to understand what it is like to be different and to learn differently. The Midrasha High School students<br />
presented a lesson on special needs to the 13 classes in the Religious School. From our youngest children in the preschool<br />
to our more mature members in Active Adults, everyone contributed to the success <strong>of</strong> the fundraiser. The<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essional staff, clergy and laity were extremely supportive and we received participation from the community and the<br />
congregation at an overwhelming level. Over 270 families participated in the fundraiser and we raised over $22,000.<br />
Some 1200 figures adorned the walls <strong>of</strong> our synagogue and we were transformed into a supportive and loving<br />
community <strong>of</strong> people helping each other, hand in hand.<br />
GOLD<br />
CONGREGATION AGUDAT ACHIM