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Invitation to Form a Sacred Partnership: A Covenant of Members
Vision
Nurture a vibrant, warm and welcoming community grounded in Jewish values, practice and learning that honors the gifts and individuality of our members.
Mission
Strengthen CBJ as a thriving hub of Jewish community and learning that provides every member with an opportunity to connect with each other and with the broader local Jewish community spiritually and socially in meaningful ways that enrich their lives and make the world a better place.
The concept of covenant (brit) is central to Judaism. It is a covenant that defines our relationship to God, Torah and Israel. In such a covenantal relationship, each partner has responsibilities incumbent upon him or her. With this Covenant of Members, we propose to look at CBJ membership as a covenantal relationship. With this Covenant of Members, we commit to being part of and contributing to our CBJ community.
These are the pillars of our community:
TALMUD TORAH – Learning
The cornerstone of our synagogue is lifelong learning – from our youth to our seniors. Our learning is dynamic and relevant, with numerous opportunities to participate.
TEFILLA – Worship
We strive for individual, communal and spiritual experience, finding empathy and connection with prayer. Our services are participatory and joyful and we offer different types of services to meet different needs.
KEHILLA – Community Building
We strive to create deep connections between members. We connect to one another through interests, stories, sacred gatherings, celebrations and shared Jewish life.
KEDUSHAT CHAYIM – Lifecycle
We personalize our celebrations of moments of life from cradle to grave. Together we celebrate birth, B’nai Mitzvah, conversion, and weddings, while supporting each other during illness and loss.
TALMUD TORAH – Learning / TEFILLA - Prayer
KEHILLA – Community Building Below is a list of CBJ's current committees and their missions. These groups offer opportunities throughout the year to participate in meaningful ways, as part of an on-going commitment.
Affinity Group An Affinity Group offers the chance to connect with other CBJ members around shared hobbies, activities or topics.
Please list the names and dates of those Yahrzeits (yearly remembrances of the deaths of loved ones) you wish to remember. This information will be recorded in CBJ’s permanent Yahrzeit records. A reminder notice will be sent out annually before the Yahrzeit, and your loved one’s name will be listed in our bulletin and read at services on the corresponding Shabbat. Sharing stories is a vital piece of our community. If you would like the opportunity to share stories about your loved one through our annual Yizkor Book, please submit a paragraph to the office, or let us know and someone will be in touch with you.
*The Yahrzeit will be observed on the Hebrew date unless you specify that you prefer to observe the English date. If you provide the English date, we will determine the corresponding Hebrew date.
Dues at Congregation Beth Jacob are based upon a “fair share” program. Fair share is defined as 1.5 percent of adjusted gross income (AGI). Dues are adjusted annually in accordance with the congregation’s annual budget as approved by the Board of Directors. Members agree to review their commitments annually and to adjust them based on changes in their means.
Congregation Beth Jacob never refuses membership to anyone because of inability to pay. In cases where standard fair-share dues present a hardship, application can be made to the Executive Director; consideration will be completely confidential and private. Members receiving this consideration are expected to return to the standard dues structure once the hardship is removed.
Dues payments may be made by:
A Building Maintenance Fee of $180 per household per year will be added to your dues.
The synagogue’s dues year runs from July 1 to June 30.
Dues are a single annual commitment to the synagogue, even if paid over time. In the event of mid-year withdrawal from the synagogue, any outstanding balance on your year’s dues will remain payable.
Please complete and return the attached Membership Agreement. We thank you for your generosity and look forward to your participation in Congregation Beth Jacob.
