2007 - United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism

Submitted by Rance Block 610-435-3521
Temple Beth El (Allentown, PA) embarked on a $7M capital campaign in late 2002 in an effort to raise sufficient funds
to build a new facility for the congregation. The campaign ran from November 2002 through the present. The end result
of the Capital Campaign was the establishment of a new home for the congregation. The first services were held in the
new building in January 2006.
The capital campaign proved to be successful financially and also had a very
positive effect on the congregation. The campaign provided a vehicle for which congregants rallied together for the
benefit of the congregation and worked in partnership to ensure the success of the campaign.
Since we did not contract with a professional fundraiser, the capital campaign was
a true grass roots effort by dedicated congregants who understood the significance of working as a team to raise the
necessary funds, where every dollar raised went directly into the campaign.
GOLD
TEMPLE BETH EMET
250-501 Anaheim, CA
Submitted by Doris Jacobson 714-772-4720
Torat Emet, the writing of a Torah, was the program that honored Temple Beth Emet’s 50th year as the 1 st
Conservative Synagogue in Orange County.
We launched this project at our 50th Anniversary Jubilee reception. Our Board and committee felt that the
writing of a Torah was the most significant way to honor our synagogue and its congregants.
Throughout the year, as our congregants took the opportunity to subscribe letters, parshas, verses and sentences
within the Torah, we also had educational programs. One program enabled us to learn where our Torahs were written,
how old they were, and where they had been prior to Temple Beth Emet.
We culminated our project and 50 th Jubilee celebration with the Torah dedication Each person present was
privileged to write a letter with his or her own hand in the Torah. When this was completed we all marched, danced and
sang as we brought our Torah into the Ark.
In addition, it was decided to donate an existing Torah to Congregation Beth Israel in New Orleans, an
Orthodox Synagogue, devastated by Hurricane Katrina. That Torah will soon be at home within another Jewish
community.
Our 50th celebration year was truly a Jubilee Year. We received a Torah and we gave a Torah! This experience
has touched all the members of Temple Beth Emet and will continue to do every Shabbat and Yom Tov. During this
year, we embraced our history and that of our Jewish Community.
GOLD
TEMPLE BETH AM
500-901 Margate, FL
Submitted by Michael Greenberg and 954-968-4545
Gary Grossman
Synagogues need to keep up with sources of funding to make sure that they are not “under funded.” Often, in the past,
traditional fund raisers, dues and High Holy Days appeals were enough to cover the costs of operating and flourishing
as a synagogue. For many mature congregations, that no longer works. They are often under funded as they leave the
rapid growth cycle and become stable, ongoing, mature, institutional entities.
The good news for Temple Beth Am is that we are a mature, powerful and strong institutional entity. But our
rapid growth cycle days are over. To make sure that we are not under funded, that we have enough resources to continue
to be the largest and most creative Conservative synagogue in Broward County, we established an Endowment Fund
Campaign.