Mel Brooks’ famous line “Its good to be the king” doesn’t necessarily apply to
synagogue presidents. While I have been told that I will come to enjoy all of the perks of the
presidency, I still haven’t quite figured out what they are. I have however learned some of the
drawbacks. After almost a year as president, I have come to learn that when someone wants to
kvetch, their tsouris becomes my tsouris. I always try to solve the problem, or deal with the
issue, and I enjoy doing so. However there is one thing that I sometimes have to do, as president
of Beth Israel Congregation, that I truly dislike. I do not like asking congregants, almost all of
whom I feel are my friends or mishpucha, for money.
To provide the services we need Beth Israel Congregation must of course have a budget.
We have employees to pay. We must ensure that the building is maintained and heated or
cooled. We provide programming to congregants of all ages and interests. We are obligated to
make sure that Shabbat service attendees have a Kiddush and light lunch. And, of course, we
must endeavor to fulfill your spiritual, pastoral and Judaic educational needs. Though we try to
do all of this within our lean budget, it is very difficult.
Over the past few months, our Finance Committee, chaired by Financial Vice President
Robert Rosenblum has been putting together our 2009-2010 budget. Members of the Finance
Committee chose to serve on this committee not because it is easy work, but rather because the
challenge each year is so great. Of course, you can make their job (and mine) easier.
This month, in Parashat B'hukkotai, we read the following in the Torah:
All tithes from the land, whether seed from the ground or fruit
from the tree, are the Lord's; they are holy to the Lord. If anyone
wishes to redeem any of his tithes, he must add one-fifth to them.
All tithes of the herd or flock — of all that passes under the
shepherd's staff, every tenth one — shall be holy to the Lord.
While very few of us tithe by giving one tenth of our income to tzedekah, we all give and
perform tzedekah on a regular basis. All of us, as members of Beth Israel, contribute tzedekah in
the form of dues to our congregation. Our congregation has an expectation that members will
contribute “fair share dues.” Over the years, the congregation has determined that the term “fair
share dues” means two percent of your gross income. While two percent is considerably less
than the ten percent referenced in the Torah, for many it is still a considerable amount. Yet, this
is the amount our congregation needs to function at the level you have come to expect. We all
know these are troubling economic times, but as the Finance Committee puts together next
year’s budget, I hope they can count on you to contribute your fair share.
Max, Ilana, Annie and I hope you all have a peaceful Shavuot filled with meaningful
Torah study, reflection, and spirituality.