SUBJECT: But on the other hand…
IMAGE: Tevye from Fiddler on the Roof
Dear JCOGS community,
I am ecstatic to report that even with the dues increase, we have close to 20 new members, both individuals and many families. That’s good news for the future of our community.
On the other hand, I’m less happy to report that our Benefactor Appeal is about $10,000 short of our goal.
On the one hand, I’m also happy to report a significant increase in engagement of the JCOGS community in committees and programming. On the other hand, there is still so much to do. Our library has just added 750 books thanks to a generous donation and the last library accounting was done in 2013. The storage room definitely needs the love of a really organized person. These are but a couple of the new volunteer opportunities—we’re excited to put your talents to good use. Please be in touch at steven.levine@jcogs.org if you can help with these hands-on organizational projects.
I know there are some people who really cannot give of their time right now. A truly amazing volunteer who no longer has time to give recently told me she feels pretty lousy about that, so she’s offering a very generous challenge for the end-of-year appeal to assuage her guilt. She asked me to set a goal the congregation has to meet for her $1000 donation. I set the goal that 72% of members give. Why 72%? Because that is four times Chai. L’Chaim - to life - for the coming year and for JCOGS for generations to come. Your donation, no matter how small, gets us closer to 72% and that $1000 donation.
Because I’m an overachiever, I actually have a second goal for this end-of-year appeal: $10,000 in donations to make up the gap in our Benefactor Appeal. We’ll be sending out weekly updates on how we are doing towards reaching our lofty, yet realistic goals.
I am so grateful to our board, all who have made gigantic contributions of time into our building, staffing, personnel, and programming, and in managing policy and risk during this ongoing pandemic. Thank them by making an end-of-year gift.
As I said in my Yom Kippur address, being JCOGS president was not in my headlights when I moved to Stowe to smell the roses, but the opportunity to work with Rabbi David, Beth Liberman, the JCOGS board, past presidents, committee members, and volunteers, and getting to know the JCOGS community has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I thank you for your time and treasure, and for being such a warm community.
L’Chaim,
Steve Levine
President
