Membership FAQs

Have you ever paused to think about what Scarsdale Synagogue means to you?
Perhaps Scarsdale Synagogue is your source for connection to the Jewish community, Jewish culture and to community service. Perhaps it is where you join with people who support each other in their good times and challenging seasons. Or maybe it is where you join with young people and adults for educational opportunities about Jewish heritage and values. Maybe it is where you go for celebration of lifecycle events. Or maybe it is where you experience meaningful worship as part of a larger community.

Scarsdale Synagogue means many things to many people. But Scarsdale Synagogue would be nothing without the dedicated support of the members of our community.
Scarsdale Synagogue has always relied upon our endowment funds and on monies received from the government during the Covid pandemic to heavily subsidize our deficits since we joined with Temple Emanu-El. However, at our current rate, we run the risk of depleting our special funds. Your financial contribution is critical as we seek to continue to operate with the same array of cherished Jewish resources that our congregation has long come to expect.

 

How should I determine my voluntary commitment?
Give until it feels good.
Please be realistic.
Please be generous.

We trust our members will take the time to understand the synagogue’s financial needs. We trust that our members know their own capacity to give.

How was the recommended Sustaining Partnership Partner level pledge calculated?
The recommended Partner level pledge for each fiscal year is set by the Finance Committee and approved by the Board of Trustees. It is the number that is required for Scarsdale Synagogue to meet its operating needs. It is determined by subtracting the total annual budgeted expenses from the expected Religious School and Early Childhood Program incomes as well as income from other sources (donations, fundraiser, rental income, etc) and dividing by the expected number of families. If all of our members could contribute at this level we would be able to cover our operating expenses with minimal withdrawals from our long term endowment. Membership support at this level along with other donations would put Scarsdale Synagogue in an excellent financial position to continue all of its many services to our community. Let’s work together to make it happen.

Why is there a mandatory security fee?
We have always placed the safety of all of our congregants and staff as well as the children in our Nursery and Religious School as our top priority. The costs of securing the building have risen substantially in the past few years and we feel it is critical for each member household to help subsidize this cost.

Do pledges help pay for the Religious School?
Yes. Scarsdale Synagogue has made a commitment for many years to maintain our religious school as an important part of our temple. Approximately 53% of the cost to run the religious school comes from school fees. The remaining 47% of the cost is covered by the Rabbi Stephen A. Klein Youth Engagement Fund and pledges.All members contribute to maintaining the religious school through their pledges. For those who pay school fees, they should understand that their school fees do not completely cover the cost of the school. By making a pledge, these families support the school as well as everything else the temple has to offer.

Can time be donated instead of money if you can’t pay the suggested amount?
Volunteerism is the lifeblood of our synagogue community, and many of our members give their time, in ways big and small. While we rely on volunteerism very heavily as always, we ask each member unit to make a sustaining partnership financial pledge that reflects both their financial ability and how they value temple membership.

What is the difference between a pledge and a donation?
 

Pledges
The dollar amount written on your pledge form is your pledge and the full amount, even if over the sustaining or recommended amount, wil go directly to offset synagogue expenses.
Pledges will be kept strictly confidential, and there will be no public acknowledgement.
Pledges are made only by members.

Donations
Donations are encouraged and appreciated and can be made by members and non-members.
Donations can be designated to specific funds or to the general fund.
Donations for Kol Nidre and tribute donations will be acknowledged publicly.

What is not included in the Sustaining Partnership Pledge?
Fees associated with our Religious School are not included. In addition, any voluntary contributions such as our Kol Nidre Appeal, Yahrzeit Donations, programs with fees, Women of SSTTE and Brotherhood dues and contributions to the Interfaith Food Pantry would not be included in your Sustaining Partnership Pledge.