special funds

It is a Jewish tradition to perform Tzedakah (Charitable Contributions) in times of joy or sorrow. You may, if you wish, make a donation to one of following funds:

Adult Education Fund Donations to the fund are allocated by the Adult Education Committee to support classes, lectures and other adult education activities at Beth El. (See also Arjmand Visiting Scholar Fund.)

Arjmand Visiting Scholar Fund Investment earnings from this endowed fund are restricted to use by the Adult Education Committee in consultation with the rabbi to fund speakers on Jewish cultural topics. This fund is often used to support our visiting Scholar program.

Bar Lev Landscape Fund The Bar Lev Landscape Fund was established in 2005 to help enhance the natural beauty in and around Congregation Beth El’s campus, grounds and gardens

Max Blachman Emergency Fund Interest from donations to this fund, named in memory of a founder of Beth El, are allocated by the Trustees to meet unexpected, emergency financial needs of Beth El.

Building Fund Donations to this fund will help to pay for and maintain the new home for Beth El.

Simcha Memories/New Brick Donations towards a brick on the grounds of our new synagogue will go to helping to pay for the new building. Bricks will be permanently placed to commemorate a Bar or Bat Mitzvah or other joyous occasion.

Cantor Brian Reich’s Discretionary Fund Donations to the fund are allocated by the synagogue’s Cantor to charitable or congregational purposes, often musical in nature, in the Cantor’s sole discretion. Donors frequently contribute to this fund in appreciation of services the Cantor has performed, such as officiating at a wedding or assisting with bar/bat mitzvah training.

Camp Kee Tov Scholarship Fund Donations to the fund are used to subsidize camperships at Camp Kee Tov for Beth El members in financial need.

Ellen Meyer Child Care Fund Donations to the fund, named in memory of a founder of Beth El, are used to pay for childcare at synagogue events.

David Cotton Camp Swig/Newman Fund Donations to the fund, named in memory of a young member of Beth El are allocated by the Women of Beth El (Sisterhood) and used to subsidize camperships at local URJ camps for children of Beth El members in financial need.

Endowment Fund Investment earnings from Beth El’s permanent endowment are allocated by the Trustees, at their discretion, to support Beth El’s financial and programming needs.

Sydie Freed Flower Fund Donations to this Sisterhood fund, named in memory of Sydie Freed, Beth El charter member, are used to pay for flowers at synagogue events.

Ruth Fischer Trustees Discretionary Fund Investment earnings from the Fund will be allocated by the Trustees, in their discretion, to meet special, non-routine financial needs of Congregation Beth El. The Fund was established by Robert Fischer in memory of his wife Ruth. Bob and Ruth Fischer were among the original Founders of the Congregation.

Homeless Meal Fund Donations to the fund are used to support Beth El’s monthly homeless meal program.

Humanitarian Aid Fund Donations to the fund are used to help those in need at the discretion of the clergy.

Memorial Plaque Fund Donations to the fund are allocated by the Board of Directors and are usually used to fund expenses relating to yahrzeits, such as the purchase of a new Yahrzeit wall. For a donation of $500, an inscribed yahrzeit plaque is added to the existing wall in memory of a donor’s loved one.

Music Fund Donations to the fund are allocated at the discretion of the Cantor and are often used to support musical events at Beth El or capital purchases such as computer and sound equipment.

Mitzvah Committee Fund Donations to the fund are allocated by the Mitzvah Committee and used to help purchase meals or flowers for congregants who are ill or disabled. The Mitzvah Committee also provides meals for the family and friends of a bereaved family after the memorial service

Nursery School Fund Donations to the fund are allocated by the Nursery School Director and/or the Nursery School Committee in their sole discretion to support the congregation’s Nursery School. Most funds are used to provide scholarships to Beth El Nursery School member families unable to pay full Nursery School fees.

Oneg Shabbat/Kiddush Fund Donations to the fund are used to provide refreshments following Friday evening and Saturday morning services.

Outreach Committee Fund Donations to the fund are allocated by the Outreach Committee and used to support programming directed to interfaith families, singles, single parents or members of the gay and lesbian community.

Aaron Plishner Children’s Library Fund Donations to the fund, named in memory of a Beth El teenager, are allocated by the Library Committee and used to purchase children’s books for the Beth El library.

Prayer Book/Pentateuch Fund Donations to the fund are used to purchase prayer books (siddurim) and Torah commentary (chumashim) for the sanctuary. A bookplate to commemorate the donor, honoree or specified occasion will be added to the front of the book for a minimum donation of $75 for a chumash and $50 for a siddur.

Rabbi Ferenc Raj’s Discretionary Fund Donations to the fund are allocated by the synagogue’s Rabbi to charitable or congregational purposes in the Rabbi’s sole discretion. Donors frequently contribute to this fund in appreciation of services the Rabbi has performed, such as officiating at a wedding or funeral, or assisting with bar/bat mitzvah training.

Rabbi Jane Litman’s Fund Donations to the fund are allocated by the synagogue’s Rabbi Educator to charitable or congregational purposes in the Rabbi Educator’s sole discretion. Donors frequently contribute to this fund in appreciation of services the Rabbi Educator has performed, such as officiating at a wedding or funeral.

Rabbi Vida Library Fund Donations to the fund, named in memory of Rabbi Vida, are allocated by the Library Committee and used to purchase books for the Beth El library.

Religious School Fund Donations to the fund are allocated by the Religious School Director and/or the Religious School Committee in their sole discretion to support the congregation’s Religious School for special unbudgeted needs such as tutors for disabled students or Purim baskets for teachers.

Social Action Committee Fund Donations to the fund are allocated by the Social Action Committee and used to support the Committee's community outreach efforts, such as Mitzvah Day, the annual turkey and food bank drives, and support of local homeless organizations.

Israel Trip Fund Donations to the fund are allocated by the Rabbi and used to subsidize participation by teenage members of the congregation in organized, group trips to Israel.

Tree of Life Fund Donations to the fund are allocated by the Board of Directors and are usually used to fund expenses relating to yahrzeits, such as the purchase of a Yahrzeit wall. For a $180 donation, donors receive an inscribed “leaf” placed on the Tree of Life wall sculpture to commemorate happy occasions, such as a brit, baby naming, bar or bat mitzvah, birthday, wedding, or anniversary.