Opportunities for Giving

Tzedakah (righteous giving) is equal in importance to all the other commandments combined.

Babylonian Talmud

Opportunities for giving at Congregation Beth El encompass contributions to our endowment funds, our special-occasion donation funds, and our general fund. Our donors’ generosity enables us to provide special programs and services that help our members deepen their identities as Jews.

Donations are often made in someone’s memory, in honor of a birth, a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, a wedding or a Siyyum graduate (religious high school graduate). We also give to acknowledge major accomplishments or to express appreciation of our Rabbi and Cantor. Each gift to Beth El’s funds, regardless of size, makes a difference. Each contribution is a blessing for which we are grateful.

To make a donation, please download the donation form.

Below is a list of opportunities for donating to our congregation.

ENDOWED FUNDS

The Beth El Fund: Established to enrich and expand educational and cultural offerings through lectures, classes, fine arts performances and workshops.

The Carob Tree: Established to enhance the culture of giving at Congregation Beth El. The earnings derived from gifts are used to keep Beth El vibrant and strong by preserving the financial viability and stability of the congregation.

Fund for the Future: Established to preserve Congregation Beth El as a place for Jewish worship and learning.

Israel Youth Scholarship Fund: Provides scholarship assistance to youths participating in summer programs in Israel.

SPECIAL FUNDS

Adult Education: To support course, teachers and speakers beyond the Talmud Torah (Adult Ed) budget and to provide scholarships for tuition-based courses.

Beth Elders Programming Fund: To support a variety of programs organized by the Beth Elders for the Beth El community.

Cantor’s Discretionary Fund: To enhance the musical life of the congregation.

Cuba Fund: Dedicated to helping the Jews of Cienfuegos establish a Sanctuary. Enabling and encouraging their family, communal, holiday and ritual celebrations by means of material and monetary contributions.

Garden of the Generations: To provide plants and shrubs for the beautification of the grounds around our building and to provide for the maintenance of our landscaping.

General Fund: Unrestricted gifts to the congregation.

Hevra Kadisha (Holy Society): To provide funds for books and programs related to Jewish tradition and practices concerning death and mourning.

Hevra Mishpacha (Caring Community): To enable us to help members with personal or family needs, including such unexpected problems as illness, disability or difficult life events.

Library: To augment our book and magazine collections.

Outreach: To help foster programs and opportunities to support interfaith families and those considering Judaism, and to build awareness of the diversity in the Jewish population.

Preschool: To provide scholarship assistance for students who cannot afford to attend special programs; to purchase “extras” for the Preschool.

Project HiBuR: Supports the Religious School’s partnership with the HiBuR School in Israel and helps subsidize Beth El teens’ trips to New York and Israel.

Project Zachor (Remembrance): To memorialize our loved ones with a memorial display for our sanctuary.

Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund: Funds held by the Rabbi to be dispersed as he/she sees a need.

Religious School Fund: To provide scholarship assistance for students who cannot afford to attend special school programs; to purchase “extras” for the school.

Ritual and Ceremonial Objects: To acquire and maintain articles such as prayer books, Torah coverings, Torah silver, etc.

Tikkun Olam (Repair the World) Fund: To provide social justice programs that help to keep our commitment as Jews to “heal the world.”

Torah Books: For the purchase of Torah books to be used at services and for study.

Secret Gifts Fund (slot in wall outside the sanctuary for donations): To provide temporary, emergency help to persons in need.

Youth Fund: To provide funding for teens to attend retreats, regional events and trips to Israel.