What is this Bill For?

I don't know about you, but I always feel some anxiety when opening bills at home. When I see the amount of the payment required I sometimes wonder if I really need the service for which I am being charged.

How many cable stations are really necessary? Would it be so terrible if I didn't know who Sports Illustrated thought the greatest athlete of the twentieth century was? Sometimes, I get that same feeling when opening bills at Temple Beth El. Most recently that happened when I saw the envelope containing our statement from the UAHC (Union of American Hebrew Congregations). The total due for this year - a whopping $95,000.00. Even though I knew the amount before looking, it still came as a shock. The entire budget for Temple Beth El is $1,400,000 and in these difficult economic times, $95,000.00 for membership in the UAHC might seem to be comparable to cable bills or magazine subscriptions.

During the eleven years that I have been the executive director of Temple Beth El, I have been present for many discussions about this same topic. We have been behind in our payments, and have asked for and received some relief. In fact the $95,000.00 figure is a reduced amount. Although we bill our members $100 per family to pay this bill, the actual amount we collect is far short. We have accumulated a deficit, which is now due. Part of the amount raised from the One For All Ball will be used to bring us even. The remainder of the money raised from the One For All Ball will be used to retire most of the operational deficit accumulated since our existence. But that will be the topic of an article from our president Larry Farber in next month's VOICE.

For now, back to the UAHC. Is it necessary for Temple Beth El to belong to this organization?
The Union of American Hebrew Congregations is the central body of the Reform Movement in North America. Over 900 congregations in the United States, Canada, the Bahamas, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands are members. It is the largest Jewish movement in North America and represents an estimated 1.5 million Jews. According to its literature, "Its primary mission is to create and sustain vibrant Jewish congregations wherever Reform Jews live. The UAHC provides leadership and vision to its members on spiritual, ethical, and political issues and provides opportunities for individual growth and identity that congregations and individuals cannot provide by themselves, including camps and Israel programs, study kallot and national and regional biennials."

The amount of money each congregation pays is determined by a formula based on total membership and total budget expenses. It is the opposite of your personal income tax in that congregations are asked to pay 8% of expenses (after some deductions) rather than a percentage of income. However, as with your personal income tax, payment is not optional.

There are many compelling reasons for Temple Beth El to belong to this association. In addition to the obvious need to support Reform Judaism, the UAHC publishes a brochure enumerating 100 ways you can benefit from membership. You can review these and other facts about the UAHC by going to their website www.uahc.org. You can also read about them in the Reform Judaism magazine.
The UAHC provides your temple leadership with tools for improving services we offer to our members. These consist of booklets and providing individuals to work directly with us. One such program is our leadership workshop that is detailed on the following page. Perhaps most important, it is necessary to belong to the UAHC in order for Temple Beth El to have access to the pool of all qualified Rabbis to lead our congregation.

The leadership of Temple Beth El has determined that the programs and services provided by the UAHC are vital to our existence. It helps provide lifelong Jewish learning, access to materials that enhance our worship, programs for our youth and so much more. If you haven't already made arrangements to contribute your $100, please do so.

And please read about our new leadership program sponsored by the Robyn Farber leadership fund. Your support is an integral part of our ability to continue to offer quality Reform Jewish programming and services to our members.
 
L'hitraot.

Arthur B. Kramer, Executive Director