Step UP

Sustaining Our Emanu El Community:
2026–27 Membership and Annual Commitment

Membership at Congregation Emanu El is more than an annual obligation; it is an investment in a spiritual home that supports, celebrates, and uplifts every stage of Jewish life. Last year, through our Step UP initiative, we faced a projected $1.8 million operating deficit together—and more than half of our households increased their commitments, reducing that deficit by over 60 percent. We are deeply grateful, and as we enter Year Two of this multi‑year revitalization plan, we need your continued partnership to fully close an operating gap that is still around $800,000.

These changes are rooted in our core values of mutual responsibility, fairness and justice, and our obligation to future generations, so that no one is excluded because of financial need.

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Step Up Year One: Real Progress, More Work to Do

Last year, we spoke honestly about our financial reality and invited our community to Step UP. In response, more than half of households increased their annual commitments and many moved closer to sustaining levels, allowing us to reduce our projected deficit by over 60 percent. That generosity showed who we are as a community when we are invited with transparency and respect.

At the same time, the true cost of sustaining Emanu El continues to outpace what our current annual commitments bring in, especially when roughly half of our members contribute below the level needed to sustain our operations.

Today, the actual average cost of operating our congregation is about $3,500 for a single‑adult household and $5,000 for a two‑adult household; setting commitments below those levels creates operating deficits that must eventually be covered by the Endowment, enhanced giving, or future increases.

2026-27 Sustaining Levels At-A-Glance

After careful review, the Board has set the 2026-27 Sustaining Annual Commitment as follows:

Annual Sustaining Commitment Levels

For many households, these sustaining amounts are roughly similar to the cost of a simple lunch or coffee and a snack.

Without moving toward clear sustaining levels, we risk ongoing deficits, further strain on staff and programs, and less flexibility to respond when our community and the wider world need us most. These amounts move us closer to the true cost of sustaining our clergy, educators, staff, security, facilities, programs, and sacred life at Emanu El.

What Your Commitment Sustains

Your annual commitment directly supports:

Worship and meaningful holiday and Shabbat experiences for all ages.
Clergy who show up for your family at times of joy and crisis.
Religious school, youth and teen programs, and adult learning opportunities.
Security, building operations, and the day‑to‑day work that keeps our campus safe and welcoming.

When sustaining commitments fall short, we face ongoing operating deficits, strain on staff and programs, and less flexibility to respond to the needs of our community and wider world.

If Sustaining Is a Stretch for Your Household: Annual Commitment Reduction Process

We know that financial changes can feel personal and unsettling. If the sustaining level is beyond your means, we encourage you to reach out:

Annual Commitment Reduction:
- Use our confidential online form to request a conversation about an adjusted commitment.
- A member of our team will follow up within a few business days to talk with you personally.
Talk with us directly:
- Contact our Executive Director, Beryl Chernov, or our clergy to discuss your situation in confidence.

Let us be clear: we remain committed to being accessible to everyone seeking a Jewish community at Emanu El, and no one will be denied membership for an inability to pay the sustaining level.

2026-27 Enhanced Giving Levels At-A-Glance

Many members choose to go beyond the sustaining level in order to strengthen Emanu El today and help secure it for the future. Enhanced commitments help close our operating gap, ensure access for those who need adjusted commitments, and make possible the clergy, programs, and facilities that define our communal life.

We are deeply grateful to those who are able to give at these levels. Every enhanced gift is an act of leadership and partnership in sustaining our congregation.

Enhanced Giving Levels

Enhanced Giving Membership Levels

Level descriptions

Supporters
Supporters give above the sustaining level and help cover the gap between sustaining commitments and the true cost of running our congregation, easing pressure on our operating budget.
Pillars
Pillars provide strong, reliable support for Emanu El’s core—clergy, education, security, and daily operations—while helping keep membership accessible for those who need financial flexibility.
Visionaries
Visionaries make significant investments that strengthen our programs and staff, allow us to maintain and improve our facilities, and build the long‑term health of our congregation.
Rabbi’s Circle
Rabbi’s Circle members anchor our ability to plan boldly for the future. Their leadership giving underwrites innovation, deepens our impact in the wider community, and helps preserve our endowment and reserves for the next generation.

If you are currently giving at or above the sustaining level and feel you can do more, we invite you to consider one of these enhanced tiers. Whatever your level of support, we are grateful for the generosity and trust you place in Emanu El.

Shared Responsibility and Accessible Membership

To align our finances with our values of fairness and mutual responsibility, we are asking the congregation to embrace several shared commitments:

The sustaining level is now the standard expectation for households who can give at that level.
Households who genuinely cannot afford the sustaining amount may request an Annual Commitment Reduction through a confidential process handled with dignity and respect; no one is denied membership for financial reasons.
In fairness to those already giving at or above sustaining, households with the capacity to do so are now expected to contribute at the sustaining level as part of our shared responsibility.

We are also deeply grateful to members who contribute at enhanced levels. Enhanced commitments help ensure access for those who need adjustments, strengthen our programs and staff, and allow us to invest in excellence today and security for tomorrow.

Key Dates and Next Steps for 2026-27 Membership

On or about April 2: You’ll receive your membership renewal packet mailed with your 2026–27 Annual Commitment and the date by which you can request an Annual Commitment Reduction.
Spring & Summer 2026: Financial changes can be stressful and unsettling. We are here to answer your questions, address your concerns, and listen if you simply need to talk things through.
August 2026: Annual Commitments must be received by August 28 in order to secure passes for the High Holy Days.
Throughout the year: Updates on our financial picture and progress toward closing the remaining operating deficit.

We will communicate these changes through multiple channels—letters, email, video, text, and in‑person conversations—to meet members where they are and make information clear and accessible.

A Community Built on Belonging

Belonging here is relational, not transactional, and sustaining a sacred community like ours requires shared responsibility.

Your membership sustains the programs, clergy, learning, and community connections that make Emanu El a place of meaning and belonging for everyone who walks through our doors.

Thank you for your commitment, your trust, your continued partnership, and the many ways you sustain this community.

Resources

Annual Reduction Process Form (Please note: If you are requesting a reduction, this form must be completed before any conversations can occur)

Annual Commitment FAQs (Click here)

Concerns or questions about the changes? Contact Beryl Chernov by email or at 713.529.5771.

Need help submitting your renewal form? Contact Lisa Damen by email or at 713.529.5771.

Questions on your membership level? Contact Anna Shabtay by email or at 713.987.3316.