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From the Heart from page 8
Gene Farber. "We want to be there for all
members of our community."
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Just as with current dues, pledged funds
will be used for the synagogue's basic
operational budget only. Other fees, such as
tuition for the K-12 religious school, b'nai
mitzvah costs and building fund remain
separate and unchanged.
Each pledge — regardless of the amount
— provides full synagogue membership,
including High Holiday tickets.
Under the old structure, members paid
varying amounts of dues based on differ-
ent categories, like families, seniors, singles
and those under age 30. The highest dues
— for families — was $1,995, plus a $35
fee to maintain building security.
"This is comparable to, or lower than,
most congregations in the Detroit area,"
Farber said. Most synagogues charge
around $2,000, with some a little higher.
He added Kol Ami's finances are stable and
that the budget is not an overriding factor
in the development of the pledge system.
The categories have been abolished and
the pledge system eliminated the need for
an approximately 10 percent dues increase.
"And anytime you raise dues some people
will leave," Farber said. "We don't want any-
one to have to call to say I can't afford it."
Working with Farber, the board and cler-
gy determined that based on the upcoming
year's expected expenses and the number
of households involved, $2,100 to $2,400
is needed, on average, to be pledged from
each household
That amount has been termed the "sus-
taining range."
Those who paid full dues in the family
category are being asked to pledge in the
sustaining range, or higher, to balance the
lesser amount some others may pledge.
"Those who pledge at least in the sustain-
ing range are enabling somebody suffering
financial hardship the opportunity to be
affiliated, which is a true mitzvah," Gross
said.
"Others are asked to try to pay at least
what they were in the past," said Karee
Strome, Kol Ami's co-president, along with
Lee Schottenfels.
"If a senior was paying $1,350 as that
part of the dues structure, we hope they
can pay that, or more. At one of our focus
groups someone on reduced dues said the
pledge system will make them feel like a
true member, not somebody who asks for
reduced dues every year."
One longtime member, who asked not
to be named, said, "Applying for reduced
dues felt like begging. I know we qualified,
based on income, but somehow filling out
the form — even though we know it's con-
fidential — was like groveling. I had the
feeling that we were not full members.
"At the first informational meeting when
the pledge system was discussed, I sur-
prised myself by speaking out; I said how
10 June 21 2012
much more comfortable I would be know-
ing that we are paying what we can. In fact,
we will try to find a way to pay a little more
this year. We have a better feeling psycho-
logically about the idea of making a pledge.
We are out of the begging mode and doing
our fair share."
Roman said, "We are not expecting
everyone to pay the full amount, but think
many will come close or exceed it. But
whether someone gives 25 percent of the
amount or 250 percent of the amount, they
should not feel any different if they are giv-
ing from the heart," he said.
vice president, to discuss different models
of dues.
"He gave us a nice education about the
history of how synagogues handled col-
lection of their sustaining income, and the
philosophy of the dues versus pledge sys-
tems," Gross said. "We also discussed other
synagogues that had switched to the pledge
system — and there aren't many."
Gross sees Kol Ami as becoming a model
for other congregations, with URJ leader-
ship following the progress.
Outside of the Reform movement, the
Conservative Temple Israel in Sharon,
Mass., has implemented a successful
pledge system. Chaben spoke with their
executive director, Deborah Astor.
"She shared much information about
their three years of research and three or
four years of being involved in the sys-
tem;' Chaben said. "The reaction there has
"We did a lot of studying and talking and
research and held an open forum of oppor-
tunity to talk about it before making this
change," Roman said.
Silverman spoke with Rabbi Steven
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The pledge letter sent to congregants
Mills, rabbinic director of the URJ's
Congregational Networks-Central District.
"There are a number of URJ congrega-
tions that have begun to implement dif-
ferent funding models, and the Union is
beginning to draw together a network of
congregations that are in various stages of
transitioning to non-dues based models:'
Mills said.
"After a great deal of research, Temple
Kol Ami is among the first to move to a
new funding design. The Union helped
Temple Kol Ami identify other congrega-
tions that had adopted or were exploring
funding changes. No one model fits all, but
I am hopeful that Temple Kol Ami's system
will do what the congregation intends:
grow its membership base and provide
a fair self-assessment process that will
sustain the congregation for future genera-
tions."
Gross, Farber and Kol Ami's outgoing
President Joe Falik held a conference call
with Rabbi Daniel Freelander, URJ senior
been positive. We learned that we needed
a full commitment from leadership, staff
and clergy, how to communicate with our
families and what our pledge card should
contain."
Retaining, Adding Members
"We know there are some who are done
with temple after their children's bar or
bat mitzvah," Gross said. "Now we are hop-
ing that by allowing people to pledge the
amount they can pay, some former congre-
gants will come back."
The hope, too, is for some younger fami-
lies to join.
"This is not going to make young,
single Jews automatically want to affiliate,"
Silverman said. "There is not an influx
of 25-year-old Jews looking for dues to
go down. But for those considering this
opportunity, this is a way for them to do it
in a way that is affordable and welcoming.
For those starting to think about it, money
is now not a barrier."
Roman said the new system may also
attract some who are not currently affili-
ated with a congregation. "Maybe some
never belonged anywhere, thinking they
would not be welcome if they couldn't
afford the amount:' he said.
Since the pledge system was announced,
Strome said, "We already heard from a
family who left after bar and bat mitzvah
year who are planning to come back, and
from a young family whose parents are
members but who are unaffiliated who are
interested in joining with a pledge."
Roman said, "We made a commitment to
try this for two to three years. We thought
at one year some may be wary and hold
back larger pledges to see if others are giv-
ing their share."
A backup plan is in place if the system
doesn't work out. "We have been able to
secure commitments from some who will
help underwrite the difference if we have a
deficit," he said.
As with mostly all synagogues, Kol Ami
has offered reduced dues for those who
find it necessary and will not turn away
anyone unable to pay at all.
But at any cost, being affiliated is impor-
tant.
A thought on the URJ website likens
non-members who attend Shabbat services
and pay non-member fees for classes and
High Holiday tickets to those belonging
to a health club and just paying for what
is used. "People join to become part of a
community of values where people care
for each other through times of celebra-
tion and sorrow',' the statement says. "They
choose to support these values with their
money and their energy."
The pledge commitment can allow more
to be part of that community. For that
reason, Gross said the hope is for everyone
who wants to affiliate to make a pledge,
however small, in order to have a physical
and emotional stake in the congregation.
"With the pledge system, everyone
who affiliates with Kol Ami is considered
the same, regardless of the amount they
pledge," he said. "A senior citizen on a fixed
income, who may pledge $250, receives the
same High Holiday tickets and is entitled
to the same volunteer opportunities and
participation in services. The system is
non-judgmental."
Roman said, "We've had a dues structure
since the temple was founded in 1966, so
this is a significant change. And now we
are the only congregation around here with
a pledge system." E
For information on Temple Kol Ami,
5085 Walnut Lake Road, West
Bloomfield, call (248) 661-0040 or
send an email to temple@tkolami.
org .