The ‘Pay What You Want’ Experiment at Synagogues

[elleng]

WEST BLOOMFIELD, Mich. — For more than four decades, Temple Kol Ami financed its operations as most American synagogues do: it charged annual dues.

But as the synagogue here approached its 50th anniversary, leaders started noticing some troubling trends. The recession, which hit Michigan hard, had cost many of its members jobs and income. Younger adults seemed less interested in affiliating with institutions. And worshipers were increasingly uncomfortable with facing set payments to join a community of faith.

So three years ago, the congregation — with some trepidation — took a dramatic step. It eliminated mandatory dues and instead began sending its members an annual letter describing the synagogue’s costs, and asking them to pledge whatever they could.

With that move, Temple Kol Ami joined a striking new trend in American Jewish life. In what amounts to the first systematic rethinking of synagogue financing in a century, about 30 Reform, Conservative and independent synagogues across the United States have eliminated mandatory dues — all but a handful of them in the past five years.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/02/us/the-pay-what-you-want-experiment-at-synagogues.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=mini-moth&region=top-stories-below&WT.nav=top-stories-below&_r=0


As it should be. For some time I've thought that the mandatory membership 'dues' probably tend to shrink attendance. Sure did mine; would have taken my daughters to local shuls, to inform them, but for the required high membership fees.

[MosheFeingold]

1. No problem with this

I've always been a member of various shuls that had extremely low dues which could be waived upon need (which was available for asking), and just gave 5% of my net income to my shul (and another 5% to other charities).

The voluntary program obviously works for Churches. They don't seem poor.

[Behind the Aegis]

2. We were never in this position since we lived on military bases until I was 15.

There was one exception, but the synagogue was too far. To me, it makes more sense to have people pay what they can, but it can also create imbalances in power. Those who pay more, expect to have a "bigger voice."

[MosheFeingold]

3. Have you ever been in a Shul board?

I have. And some (really most) people do contribute much more than their dues.

Some are horses' asses about it. Most are not. No one but the board knows who contributes the most/least.

We had one guy, never participated in anything, but who showed up regularly to service, and left after. Very shy (and perhaps autistic, in that he would rebuff any attempt to get to know him). Anyway, he contributed more than $500,000 per year for about 20 years. Far more than was needed to operate the shul, and the money has since been used to establish a trust for the kids to go to Israel and participate in studies.

He stopped coming one day, not a word.

Then we got a check in the mail, from lawyers in Israel. He had died a peaceful death and left the Shul another large (huge!) bequest. In it was a note, from him, to the Rabbi, telling us that we were very nice people and made him feel comfortable, but were not pushy, and that he hoped we could use the money to teach kids, of any faith, Hebrew, but if we needed the money for something else, do that.

So we teach anyone who walks in the door looking for intensive Hebrew. So much so that people become fluent in a summer.

Long way of saying people are nicer than you think.