As others have said, almost any shul should work with you on fees. The fees are there to give a guideline for how much people should support the organization when they're able, not to be a barrier for people who don't have the means.

If you're in Falls Church, look at Rodef Shalom for reform and either Olam Tikvah (Fairfax) or Agudas Achim (Alexandria) for conservative.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP Here - I live in Falls Church and could go either conservative or reform...but I am leaning toward Rodef Shalom.

We are not members of the temple (not Jewish), but my children have been going to Rodef for preschool for years. I personally know people who are members of the temple and whom the temple has worked with when they can't afford the fees. Definitely give them a call, it's a wonderful community.

Rodef is usually a a percentage of gross income but nothing like the 10% tithes that Mormons and some Prots. pledge.

TRS is a wonderful, caring community. I know that they will work with you to figure out a comfortable fee for your family. Go for it.

Yes - I was hesitant to join because of the cost, but we fell in love with a congregation and talked to the staff who worked with us. Also, you can use most of their services and activities without joining at all.

NP: I am a member of TRS. The dues are nominally a percentage of income. Something like 1.5%, but there is the dreaded building fund.

If you can not pay the 1.5%, they will work with you. When I was diagnosed with cancer, I was told to "pay us last".

Anonymous wrote:OP Here - I live in Falls Church and could go either conservative or reform...but I am leaning toward Rodef Shalom.

We are not members of the temple (not Jewish), but my children have been going to Rodef for preschool for years. I personally know people who are members of the temple and whom the temple has worked with when they can't afford the fees. Definitely give them a call, it's a wonderful community.

Anonymous wrote:OP Here - I live in Falls Church and could go either conservative or reform...but I am leaning toward Rodef Shalom.

Give them a call and see what they say. No experience with them but I bet they work with you. Think of it as a long term relationship. Right now, you don't have the full dues. In the future, wen your life settles down and child has graduated from college, you will give back and not only pay your dues in full but also offer additional money to help our someone else in need.

OP Here - I live in Falls Church and could go either conservative or reform...but I am leaning toward Rodef Shalom.

A synagogue is there to support the members of its community. A synagogue that you want to belong to will be willing to work with you. Call them up and tell them what you need and what you can afford. If the synagogue won't budge on its dues then that's not the shul for you.

Where are you located and what type of synagogue are are you looking for (reform, conservative etc)

Almost all syngagogues say they will work with you on a confidential basis. I don't have any personal experience with the process though.

My son is in kindergarten so we need to join a synagogue sooner than later.
I am recently divorced and can't afford the membership fees.
Do you know if any synagogues will work with me to pay what I can afford?