Tzedakah

Importance

Tzedakah is a central mitzvah of Judaism that humanizes both giver and recipient. Am Yisrael Tzedakah:

1. Supports our congregation. We welcome all to join, even if some cannot pay full dues.
2. Focuses support on specific activities and causes favored by congregants.
3. Provides a convenient and meaningful way for Am Yisrael members and families to fulfill the traditional obligation of Tzedakah, and to honor, commemorate or express gratitude.

Occasions for Tzedakah

• Holidays and festivals, especially the High Holidays
• Births, namings, first school days
• Bnai and Bnot Mitzvah, graduations
• Weddings, funerals, yahrtzeiten
• Wedding anniversaries (one’s own or friends’), birthdays, housewarmings
• Congratulations on job promotions, achievements, good wishes on undertaking new ventures
• Get well wishes (refuah shlema)

Funds

Our Tzedakah Funds

General Fund – for all the multifaceted activities of our congregation. Undesignated donations go into this fund.

Social Action – to help provide the lunch program for a homeless shelter that the congregation supports.

Youth Groups (USY/Kadimah/Chaverim) – provides additional support for our youth groups and their activities as well as providing convention and program scholarships for those who are in need of financial assistance.

Library – books and other materials to be used in our library.

Kiddush – enhances our regular Shabbat morning kiddush.

Sunday Morning Minyan Breakfast – feeds the faithful…helps offset the cost of the breakfast following our minyan.

Siddurim/Chumashim – put a book plate in a Siddur or Chumash.

School Fund – for scholarships, supplies and other needed “extras” not covered by school tuition and the general budget.

Camp Scholarships – provides financial aid to members who wish to send their children to a Jewish camp.

Israel Scholarships – provides financial assistance to those who wish to send their children to a work/study program in Israel.

Chernigov – fund go directly to the Ukranian Jewish community with which we have a special relationship.

Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund – to assist activities deserving our support but that aren’t necessarily well known, such as small, private loans/gifts to the needy as well as special projects that the Rabbi deems appropriate and opportunities that will help her better perform her responsibilities. Members often give to this fund at the time of a wedding, funeral, unveiling or naming.

Cantor’s Discretionary Fund – to support music related activities and projects.

Kehillat Moreshet Avraham – to support our sister Conservative congregation in Jerusalem.

Maot Chitim – the traditional Passover fund to help the needy.

Graff College Connection Fund - supports the Chanukah and Passover packages sent to our college students.

Torah Fund- donate a letter, word, phrase, parasha or special reading in our new Torah scroll. Contact the office for details.

Honor a Third Party

Tzedakah honors giver and recipient; you can use it to honor or thank someone important to you. When appropriate, Am Yisrael sends a card to whomever you designate, indicating that you’ve made a contribution. A minimum gift of chai ($18 or a multiple of it) is suggested when you request a Tzedakah card sent to someone in your name.

Also, your contribution may be listed in the synagogue’s monthly bulletin with your name(s), or may be listed as anonymous.

Israel

Am Yisrael encourages support of Israel through tourism, congregational support of Kehillat Moreshet Avraham (see above), through the annual JUF Dinner and other efforts.