Membership Fees at the Synagogues?

Usually there are discounts for young people.

At my Synagogue (one of the large ones in NoVA), they do not ask any questions about ability to pay etc.

As an example, a few years ago, we were going through a tough time -- cancer diagnosis and very high medical expenses for the primary wage earner. This was at a time when DD was preparing for her Bat Mitzvah.

For a few years, we were asked to only pay a very modest amount -- and the religious school costs were waived. In addition, when the s*** hit the fan (early summer, throwing our summer plans away), they made sure DD had a place to go -- day camp (which was nominally full), on a scholarship.

I was told, at the time, as I am working through the budgets, "to pay the temple last, god will understand".

Our temple also charges a Bnai Mitzvah fee -- which includes the cost of tutoring for the event. That allows them to waive/subsidize the fee for the people that can not afford it.

Yeah...I like my shul.

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05/13/2017 16:58

Subject: Membership Fees at the Synagogues?

quote

Anonymous

DH is Jewish and I prefer the straightforward discussion of membership. As a young 20 something I briefly started attending a local church and then abruptly stopped receiving their newsletter. I called to inquire and was rudely told that they didn't know to keep sending it to me since they didn't have anything recently with my name on it...like a check. I was embarrassed and stopped going. Reflecting back, I think they handled it poorly.