Managing temple finances is like that of other organizations with competing needs and limited resources. Every dollar matters and your clergy, administrative team, and Board of Trustees take their financial stewardship seriously. Here are the major components of our operating budget and how they have evolved over time.

The size of our congregation has remained consistent despite COVID, rising antisemitism, and other external factors, but our membership revenue has not increased significantly since 2019. Between 2019 and 2024, Annual Commitments increased only 10% while cumulative inflation rose nearly 24%. Despite that, the congregation has managed to continue operations with the benefit of government grants and additional distributions from our healthy endowment funds.

Rising operating costs associated with responses to the historic escalation in antisemitism, lingering effects of COVID, and some major unplanned security and facilities expenses have been fiscally challenging. Since 2019, security and facility costs increased about 200% and now represent more than 25% of our budget.

Several revenue streams support the congregation’s operations, with the largest percentage coming from member annual commitments. In 2015, we transitioned to an Annual Commitment model (vs. “Fair Share” dues model based on a percentage of your income) which determines the unit cost per member. Simply put, the Annual Commitment is calculated by taking Congregation Emanu El’s total operating costs and dividing them by the number of member units. This approach, widely adopted by congregations across the country, should ensure that we can sustain our annual budgetary needs.

The Standard/Sustaining Annual Commitment is $3,000 for a two-adult household and $2,000 for a single-adult household.

Currently, 50% of our members are making commitments below the standard/sustaining level at an average commitment of $959. This is significantly below what Congregation Emanu El needs to sustain itself and has contributed to our current deficit.

Congregation Emanu El remains committed to being accessible to everyone seeking a Jewish home and no one will be denied for an inability to pay the standard/sustaining level. However, it is essential that we increase the number of members paying at the standard/sustaining level and beyond.

15% of our members are in Enhanced Commitment categories. We are so grateful for this special group of congregants whose commitment to Congregation Emanu El goes above and beyond. Their extra financial support makes it possible for those who are unable to pay the standard/sustaining amount to be part of the Emanu El family. Their generosity also subsidizes the tuition of Helfman Religious School making it more affordable for all to receive a Jewish education.