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When the ancient Israelites came together to build the mishkan, they gave freely from the heart. They each brought a piece of themselves to create a space for the Divine.

At Shir Tikvah, the members of our community build a version of this space: a place where we study, celebrate, and mourn together. We depend on our members to welcome newcomers, lend a hand in the kitchen, and treat staff and each other with respect. Membership dues, volunteer hours, and additional donations make it possible for us to do the vital work of educating our children and observing the mitzvot.

We are well aware that, these days, synagogue membership can feel more like an obstacle rather than a free will offering. Some bristle at the idea of "paying to pray". But contributions to this community are not the same as joining a gym or taking a class, membership is not a fee for service. Together, we are building a shared Jewish future, in which each contributes a fair amount. It's a very old idea that seems radical in these times.   

At Shir Tikvah, we take pains to balance our financial needs with the Jewish values of community and diversity. We are very proud of our Fair Share Dues policy, a sliding scale which recognizes the dignity of each community member. We don't ask for your tax returns. We don't sell tickets for High Holy Days. We contribute according to our ability and our means.  

Dues pledges should be recalculated each year. Membership renewal is in September/October. (Dues will be pro-rated at other times of the year.)

 

Fair Share Dues Structure 

 Up to $40,000 
Dues are 1% of a household's adjusted gross income. 

 $40,001+
Dues are 2% of a household's adjusted gross income, with a cap of $3,600.
 

Keren Zeriyah (Seed) Fund:
An additional investment over the first 3 years of membership, based on the same sliding scale and equal to your first full year's dues commitment.

 

What the Sliding Scale Looks Like:
David Malka has an adjusted gross income of $60,000/year. He pays $1,200 in dues (2% of $60,000) and $400 in KZ (1/3 of $1,200) his first three years of membership. 

J.C. Otley has an adjusted gross income of $12,000/year. They pay $120 in dues (1% or $12,000) and $40 in KZ (1/3 of $120) for the first three years of their membership. 

 

Lack of funds should never be a barrier. 

We say it and we mean it. Please contact Administrative Director Katie Schneider or Rabbi Ariel Stone directly if you are concerned about finances. We have funds that enable us to be flexible, especially during times of economic downturn. 

 

Associate Membership

If you have a primary home in another congregation, but would like to support Congregation Shir Tikvah as well, we welcome you. .

As an Associate Member, we would enjoy having you to join us for Torah Study, Shabbat and many of our celebrations. We’ll have a nametag for you and list you in our Member Directory. If you’d like to volunteer for one of our committees or join in on our social justice projects, your work there would be appreciated. 

It is understood that major life cycle events and the holidays of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Passover will be celebrated with your home congregation. Full membership is required for participation in our Nashira Education Program.

If you would like to explore Associate Membership at Shir Tikvah, contact the office.

Membership Form

Please fill out the information for the primary member. Staff will use this information to generate a basic account. We will then be able to provide you with a unique log-in that you can use to edit your profile, adding family members, yahrzeit information and more. 

Depending on time of year, this initial process may take several business days.  Payment is not due at this time. 
If retired, what was your primary occupation?
Our fiscal year starts October 1st. If you are filling out this form in September, please pick that date. (This will not affect your eligibility to attend High Holy Days services or register for the Nashira Project as a member.)

MEMBERSHIP DUES:
Members of Congregation Shir Tikvah commit to the mitzvah of supporting the kehillah in line with our Fair Share policy. Upon joining, we obligate ourselves to the financial support of Shir Tikvah according to the following sliding scale schedule.

 Up to $40,000 
Dues are 1% of a household's adjusted gross income. 

 $40,001+
Dues are 2% of a household's adjusted gross income, with a cap of $3,600.
 

 

This amount is a pledge, not an actual contribution. Once your account is created, office staff to confirm the amount, the method of payment and the timing of the payments before any amount is charged. Our fiscal year starts in October - contributions will be prorated for new members joining after that time.

 

KEREN ZERIYAH:
In addition to the yearly Fair Share dues, we ask new members to contribute to our Keren Zeriyah (Seed) Fund. This fund is dedicated to capital expenditures and long-term investments in Shir Tikvah's future. It is the equivalent of a member's total yearly pledge, payable over 3 years. (For example, if the yearly pledge is $1200, the KZ payment for one year would be $400.)
This amount should equal your total yearly pledge. One-third of it is due each year. You will be contacted by our office staff to confirm before it is charged. 
A single lump sum at the beginning of the fiscal year (October) saves Shir Tikvah the most on processing fees. 
If your payments are monthly, automatic payments from a checking account or by credit card save Shir Tikvah the most on processing fees. 


VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

In this community, we are all needed. Volunteers keep Shir Tikvah running. Giving a few hours of your time here and there not only strengthens our community, it’s a fun and easy way to get to know others here. Here are descriptions of our most active groups. 


Yad l’Yad: Hand to Hand

Our Yad l’Yad group helps provide the emotional and physical support needed when members experience a hardship in life. Visiting the sick, running errands, providing meals, transportation, writing letters, or even making phone calls are great ways to help our members in need.
 

Tefilah (Prayer and Ritual) Committee

This Committee educates our members about Jewish prayer and ritual practice, develops our prayer books, and supports our congregational prayer and ritual life.


Kesher Committee

This Committee welcomes new members, and often acts as ushers and greeters at our numerous events. Kesher folks work with new members to help them become familiar with the Shir Tikvah family and our minhagim (traditions).

 

K’vod haMeyt Cemetery Committee

This Committee partners with Congregations P’nai Or and Kol Shalom in maintaining our cemetery, and it takes the lead in the mitzvot of helping to bury the dead and comfort the bereaved.

Check the boxes below to be contacted by the head of these committees for more information. 

Interests and Talents

Are there any skills you'd be willing to share or interests you'd particularly like to explore?  Answering this brief survey will help us plan future programming and match volunteers more effectively. You can also feel free to ask questions of anyone you see in the kitchen, moving furniture or greeting folks at the door - we'd be happy for the help. 

 

Wed, November 25 2020 9 Kislev 5781