In their own words: “We Give Because…”
Jonathan Howard

As I hope you know by now, Temple Beth El has had a major Capital Campaign in the works for a couple of years. Without reviewing the details here, suffice it to say that demographic imperatives demand that we upgrade and expand our physical facilities and create a significant endowment program to assure our future financial security.

The Campaign is currently nearing the end of what non-profit fund-raising professionals refer to as “the quiet period,” when “seed money” and “leadership
gifts” are solicited from Officers, Board Members, and community leaders. Along with their generous donations, I have also asked them to reflect upon their reasons for giving. And as you read some of the early responses, I hope you’ll think about which ones resonate with you:

Because of how Temple Beth El first greeted us:

• “Since coming to Charlotte, Temple Beth El has been
  wonderful to us.”
• “We were greeted with open, loving arms.”

Because of the people associated with Temple Beth El:

• “The Rabbis made us feel at home in the Temple… and we have blossomed spiritually because of it.”
• “It’s where we have made wonderful friends.”
• “Because of Temple Beth El, we have become better participants in our community.”

Because of how Temple Beth El fulfills our personal spiritual needs:

• “It’s where we have… found strength and solace at the end of some tough weeks, and it’s been a refuge from the ills of the world, a safe harbor that’s always there for us when we need and want it.”
• “We hope to enable our Temple Beth El clergy to foster our connections with God.”
• “It is the warmth of the weekly Shabbat service that I find the most meaningful. How I smile every Friday night at the inclusiveness of our Shabbat service, wishing that in the mosques in the Middle East they, too, would sing, ‘Shalom, Salaam.’”

Because of what Temple Beth El has done for us and for our families:

• “Temple Beth El has seen us through many life cycle events: Bris, Bat Mitzvah, and now a pending conversion.”
• “It’s where our children were grounded in Judaism, where we cried with joy at their Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, where we mourned the deaths of three parents.”
• “This year, after 18 months of study, I can read and translate Hebrew; I had my Anshei Mitzvah at Temple Beth El (with 16 other women).”

Because of what TBE means for the region:

• “In 32 years as members, we’ve seen Temple Beth El grow into a vibrant, welcoming, spiritual community that makes… a strong impact on the Jewish and Interfaith populations of Charlotte/Mecklenburg.”

Because of a sense of obligation to Temple Beth El’s past & responsibility for its future:

• “Luckily for us, Temple Beth El was here – in part because of the vision of the Temple’s previous leaders. Now, it’s my turn to help… so that others will have a warm, safe, spiritual place to build strong roots.”
• “For our children and their children, we give to Temple Beth El.”
• “We are proud of our Temple, and its survival and ability to flourish are very important to us.”
• “Whether my family remains in Charlotte for one year, ten years, or the rest of my life… our contribution to Temple Beth El’s Capital Campaign will remain… for future congregants.”

Because we believe in Tzedakah (“charitable actions”):

• “We hope to help make the world a better place by building up the Temple Beth El community.”
• “Giving to a cause this important makes us feel very
  good.”