Security Contribution

May 26, 2024

Dear Members of Temple Israel,

In the coming days you will receive information about continuing your annual commitment to Temple Israel of Boston. Let me thank you now for the thought and attention you will give to reaffirming this fundamental financial support for your Jewish home. Our collective membership commitment is Temple Israel’s most important source of operating income, and I am grateful for the generosity with which every household approaches this contribution. We remain the Jewish hub of the hub solely through your involvement and fiscal support.

Operating our congregation requires an enormous amount of resources and planning. The rise in security threats and incidents targeting Jewish people and institutions before and since October 7 has created challenges that we struggle with daily. The protective measures we have taken to provide a safe space to pray, learn, and gather come with significant financial costs.

This year we have adapted our security measures to address our new reality, and we will continue to be proactive and adjust our approaches accordingly in coordination with various security partners across our community. To help address these rising security costs, Temple Israel leaders, including the Board of Trustees, are asking that all of our members consider contributing an additional 5% of membership dues to Temple Israel. This contribution will be an essential resource for our ongoing safety and security work in the year ahead.

At the same time, we recognize that many of our members are experiencing rising costs in their own lives. In light of this, we have made the conscious decision not to raise dues rates this next year and to have the security contribution be optional for all households. When you receive your membership continuation packet, you will see the security contribution included on the membership renewal form.

For the year that is coming to a close in June, we are fortunate that so many of our members have prioritized philanthropic giving to Temple Israel this past year helping to defray additional security costs. We are humbled that a generous donor has offered a match challenge up to $30,000 for gifts given through the end of next month. Thank you for helping us unlock this match, and the essential budget relief it will provide, with a gift in any amount to the Friends Annual Fund before the end of June.

On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I am grateful for your commitment, engagement, and many contributions to this extraordinary community. We look forward to being together at the Annual Gathering on June 6 where we can celebrate the life and vitality of the congregation. All of our leaders look forward to connecting with you soon.

With appreciation,

Jessica Greenfield
Temple Israel President