As summer draws to a close, it is a very busy time for the Treasurer. September 1 starts the new fiscal year. Planning for the High Holidays is a spiritual time but it is also the time when the Tree of Life annual budget is set and I close the financial records for the past year.
Tree of Life is a small congregation and we rely on each member’s support to ensure that we can keep the doors open, the religious school operating, and the programs for adults continuing. For those of you who are new to the community, Tree of Life uses a self assessed fair share method for dues collection. The actual percentage of income paid by each member unit depends on the unit’s income. Tree of Life relies on each member unit contributing its fair share, based on its income and not the “perceived value” of the membership. In case of hardships, we are happy to work out a dues assessment that may be below the fair share level. Payment plans are flexible. Even though you may not attend religious services regularly, Tree of Life will be there for you when you need and/or want rabbinical services, a minyan to commemorate a yahrzeit, or just a friendly offer of help from our Caring Committee if you are ill.
We rely on donations to help support the day to day operations of the Congregation. Making a donation in honor of a special occasion or in memory of a friend or loved one is a special way to show your support. You can donate either to the General Fund or to a specific area of interest such as the Rabbi Discretionary Fund, Religious School, Library Fund, etc. We also have the Simcha Tree where a donation of as little as $250 purchases a leaf on the tree to commemorative events such as a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, wedding or birth of a special child. Stones are also available on the tree for a larger donation. If interested, contact either me or Barbara Jacowitz.
Now you are probably asking where your dues dollars are going. Tree of Life is very fortunate not to have a mortgage so the building costs are lower than what you would expect. We try to keep our overhead costs as low as possible. At this time, our only paid staff is our Rabbi and our religious school teachers. All of the clerical work is done by volunteers. Here is a breakdown of the percentage of expenses by budget categories for the last fiscal year.
RABBINICAL SERVICES 64%
UTILITIES & BLDG UPKEEP 19%
RELIGIOUS SCHOOL 7%
CANTORIAL and RITUAL 3%
PROGRAMMING 3%
POSTAGE, OFFICE SUPPLIES, MISC. 2%
URJ MEMBERSHIP DUES 2%
Questions about the Tree of Life budget and operations are welcome. It is important that each of you understands why your contribution is important and why you pledge at your fair share. Please give me a call or email me if you have any questions.
Merle Stolzenberg, Treasurer
Phone: (304) 292-6767
Email: You can contact Merle by using the Webmaster link below.
