Membership FAQs

Membership FAQ's

• What are the Fees?

• Do I Have to Pay the Building Fund?

• What are the Options for New Members?

• What are the Benefits of Membership?

• What if I Can't Afford a Membership?

• How Much is Religious School for My Kids?

• How do I Get High Holy Day Tickets?

• Who Can Become a Member and how Do I Become a Member?

What are the Fees?

Fees are known as Our Commitment to Giving Funding Initiative (formerly known as Dues). Each congregant's commitment is essential to sustain our kehillah k'doshah - our sacred community - for this year and years ahead. This model of funding is based on partnership, covennant and commitment. It strives to be TRANSPARENT, RESPECTFUL, INSPIRING, PARTICIPATORY. This financial model encourages congregants to select a giving level and to be as generous as possible.

The Annual Commitment to Giving (dues) Levels 2025-2026:

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Do I Have to Pay the Building Fund? 

YES, Click here for more information. Building Fund is a pledge each new member family makes to support the synagogue for the future.  The commitment is a total of $2,500, paid at $500 per year for the first five years of membership, in addition to your membership level.  Once the pledge is reached, families will never be asked to make additional contributions to the Building Fund, even if the commitment increases beyond $2,500 in the future.

If a family has made payments to a Building Fund at another synagogue, the amount of those payments will be deducted from the Building Fund commitment here at Community.  Supporting the future of Judaism at any congregation helps preserve Jewish life for future generations, and so fulfills the commitment on which our Building Fund is based.

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What are the Options for New Members?

1. New members are entitled to a special half membership fee of $2150 for their first year, which is half of our Sustainer level.
   Membership Application: Click Here
    
2. New members are entitled to a full membership fee of $4300 for their first year, which is our Sustainer level.

3. New members may join through our Gift Membership program, offering the first year of membership complimentary ($0).

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What are the Benefits of Membership?

• You join our Kehillah Kedosha – our sacred community of congregants, clergy and staff who enrich each other’s lives and who can be there to share life’s joys and ease life’s sorrows.
• Our clergy and staff are there for you through important life cycle events and every day for counseling, teaching and caring.
• Religious education for your children.
• Bar/Bat Mitzvah training for your children.
• All member families (except those on Gift Membership) are entitled to preferred admissions and reduced tuition for our Early Childhood Center for their preschool children.
• High Holy Day sanctuary seating at no extra charge.
• A varied and rich offering of events, programming and classes to enrich, educate, entertain and involve you.
• The opportunity to engage in a wide range of task forces, committees and action groups, from Temple Leadership to Brotherhood, Sisterhood and Social Action.

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What if I Can’t Afford a Membership?

There is no such thing. Members will not be turned away, and we will work with you confidentially to make special arrangements that are affordable, if necessary.

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How Much is Religious School for My Kids?

Religious School for your child(ren) is funded in part by the congregation, and in part by a fee for each child who attends. The charge per student covers about half the cost of Religious School year for your child. The other half is covered by the congregation, as we believe our community has a responsibility to help educate our children Jewishly.  

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How do I Get High Holy Day Tickets?

All member families in good standing, including their children through age 26 are entitled to seating in the Main Sanctuary. Additional guest tickets for extended family may be purchased.

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Who Can Become a Member?

Membership is open to any individual, family or couple where at least one adult is Jewish. We lovingly accept people in interfaith relationships, LGBTQ+ members, individuals of diverse ages and ethnicities.

How do I Become a Member?

Complete a Membership Application and contact one or both of the people below:

• Lindsay Ganci, Associate Director of Engagement – 516-883-3144   lganci@commsyn.org
• Bari Ziegel, New Member Concierge – 516-816-1082, bziegel@aol.com

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