Over the past few months, we’ve learned what is a beloved luxury, what is important, and what is critical. We’ve gone through a sort of global lifestyle budgeting process, identifying what we value by what we most miss. Through this, we’ve realized just how much we value our community. When we deeply miss potlucks, the sound of children on the playground, and rising together to light Shabbat candles, we are recognizing those moments as incredibly valuable. When we join Zoom services, we are committing to community in a powerful way.
Today — this very day — we’re asking you to think about what you value and commit to community. Here is how:
Renew your membership: Anyone can come to services, but belonging to JCOGS is your chance to say, “This is my community. I support it, and I am a part of it.” If you are a member you are signaling that you understand JCOGS to be a community made up of members. Finances should never be a barrier to membership; you can spread your dues over ten months or request aid. Membership is fundamental to the strength of JCOGS.
Bridge the gap: Our board has frozen dues at last year’s levels due to the economic downturn. However, our dues never reflect our actual operating costs. It costs $2588 per member unit to keep JCOGS running, which is $2038 more than individual membership dues and $1613 more than family membership dues. If you can, we are asking you today to bridge the gap between your membership dues and our costs through a donation to our benefactor appeal. We have included a special Bridge the Gap category for members who are able to shoulder their full share of the cost of operating JCOGS.
Donate: We extend membership to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay. To help offset the cost of dues forgiveness, please donate to our Benefactor Appeal. We have suggested levels, but a gift of any amount will help maintain and support our commitment to membership for all who want it. If this is your first year of giving to the Benefactor Appeal, we want to thank you for making a concrete commitment to supporting JCOGS. If this is your fifteenth year, thank you for continuing to make JCOGS your philanthropic priority.
To our beloved community of JCOGS:
These are tenuous times we are living in. Now more than ever, we feel the impact and importance of connected community and our relationship with the broader community. We have decided to give a financial contribution to JCOGS that far exceeds what we have donated to any one organization before. It is a gift for the future of the JCOGS community. We invite those who are able at this time to join us in supporting our community. Rabbi David & Alison
Please know, when we ask you for money, we do so only when we are confident that your money will be used wisely. People are volunteering their time and their talents wherever possible. Our board has gone through an extensive budgeting process, identifying those areas that are critical and those that can be cut. This fiscal year, we budgeted only for the first quarter (July-September), recognizing that we cannot predict how many of our donors will be unable to give at their usual levels. We will adjust the budget accordingly for quarters 2 through 4. All of this is important to running a tight ship and recognizing that your donation is a sign of your trust in us.
Let’s plan for another great year together.
Best, Rabbi David Fainsilber Emily Rosenbaum, President
*Please be sure to log in to your account in order to create your password and update any of your information. Click here for a brief shulcloud tutorial. Contact the office at jcogs@jcogs.org or 802-253-1800 for any assitance.
Jewish Community of Greater Stowe 1189 Cape Cod Road Stowe, VT 05672 802-253-1800 jcogs.org
