Shalom,
In years past, you would be receiving a letter from us at this time of year asking you to renew your Temple Emek Shalom annual dues. This year, as a result of our meetings with the membership this spring, we are asking for something different: your partnership in sustaining TES.
TES is a vital kehillah (community) — a hub for celebration, a sanctuary in times of sorrow, and a place where Jewish life thrives in Southern Oregon and is passed on to the next generation. Sustaining it is a shared responsibility, and we invite you to be a full partner.
What it takes to run TES
Nearly 70% of our expenses cover staff and office costs that support our Temple and our rich holiday and events programming: Rabbi Julie, Sara Wolfson (office manager), and part-time staff Debra Gates (bookkeeper). The balance covers building and grounds maintenance, security, and occasional outside consulting.
Membership dues represent about 60% of our income — the remaining 40% comes from fundraisers and occasional grants. While these percentages have kept us going for many years, they also mean the Board must continually wrestle with how to make up the remaining portion of our budget each year. At the same time, operating costs continue to rise, including security at our events, increased personnel costs, and building and grounds maintenance and repairs.
The Sustaining Share
As you know, we are moving to a Sustaining Share Membership model — a transparent, shared-commitment approach adopted successfully by many congregations. The sustaining share is calculated simply: annual operating expenses divided by the number of member households. For TES’s FY 2026–2027 budget, that is $369,765 operating expenses, divided by 147 member households, which equals $2,515 per household. If every one of our 147 member households contributed that amount, TES would be fully funded for the year. Details available on TES ShulCloud, membership renewal page.
We know not every family can give the sustaining share amount — and some capable members give much more. That has always been our way. No member of our community will ever be turned away for an inability to pay, and we do not inquire about member income. We ask only that each household give as generously as possible within their means, using the sustaining share as a meaningful benchmark.
Below is a short questionnaire — an invitation to reflect on the role TES plays in your life: the holidays you celebrate, the life-cycle moments our community has held, and the learning and connection TES makes possible. We hope it will help you think again about the level of giving that is right for you and your family.
Our sustaining share membership goal for this year is $240,000 — a 10% increase over last year’s dues income — along with a goal of $50,000 in other giving. The more households that approach the sustaining share membership amount, the more we can reduce financial uncertainty and invest in what matters most: our programs, our people, and our community.
We are grateful for everything you have given over the years, and we ask you to consider giving generously once more. Together, we can ensure that TES remains a sacred home for generations to come.
Please reach out to us, your co-Presidents, with any questions. We welcome an open conversation.
B’vracha (with blessings),
Randi, David, JoAnn
Co-Presidents, Temple Emek Shalom
