Dear Kadima members:
We are now 3/4 of the way through our school and budget year (which goes through June 30), so it’s time to give you an update on the vital work that’s made possible the exciting Kadima programming you’ve been part of!
In the last year, we’ve grown a lot. We’ve increased our activities – Purim parties, solidarity with the Northwest Detention Center Resistance movement, Gaymara (best Talmud study in town!), and six b’nai mitzvot this school year. We’ve hired more faculty to teach more kids, brought on a part-time youth & family organizer (thank you, Mollie!), and are striving towards being a fair & just employer. As a result, our annual budget has increased to nearly $200,000. That’s more than double what it was 3 years ago!
So many of you have responded to the challenge of meeting Kadima’s financial needs. You gave generously during our end-of-the-year fund drive, and made our January Tikkun Olam fundraising dinner a smashing success. We are grateful! Our community is stronger thanks to your contributions.
In spite of these fundraising successes, we’re falling short of this year’s budget – $40,000 short. How can that be?
Two years ago we voted as a community to adopt a new membership model. Instead of asking everyone to contribute a percentage of their income to become a member, we asked for $36 per year in dues, and a Nadiv Lev – a gift of the heart. The idea behind Nadiv Lev is that members choose a meaningful monthly sustaining gift. We recognize some people are able to give a lot, others less, and some are not in a position to give at all. Our
community embraced this approach to membership because it aligns with our community’s core values - most of all ensuring our doors are open to everyone. Nadiv Lev acts as our foundation of support - our river of sustenance - that keeps our community alive and growing.
But here’s the problem: Nadiv Lev contributions have not kept pace with our growth. Meeting our budget requires an average monthly per member Nadiv Lev contribution of around $30 (some giving more than that, some less, some nothing). Instead, we are averaging $13 per month.
The Kadima community needs your help with the foundational giving of Nadiv Lev to support Kadima’s core activities of community-based Judaism and social justice.
We invite you to consider: What is a meaningful Nadiv lev commitment for me? If I’ve given a single Nadiv Lev donation, could I consider an amount to give on a monthly basis?
In the coming weeks, Kadima board members will be reaching out. If you have thoughts on this, and want to talk directly with one of the officers, don’t wait for us to call - we’d love to hear from you!
L’shalom,
Jonathan Rosenblum, president (jonathanr4212@gmail.com, 206-465-7078)
Sima Kahn, vice president (sdkahn@simakahn.com, 206 854-5777)
Sarah Tuttle, treasurer (sarallelagram@gmail.com, 646-289-2503)
Julianna Alson, communications secretary (julianna.alson@gmail.com, 847-630-5171)
We are now 3/4 of the way through our school and budget year (which goes through June 30), so it’s time to give you an update on the vital work that’s made possible the exciting Kadima programming you’ve been part of!
In the last year, we’ve grown a lot. We’ve increased our activities – Purim parties, solidarity with the Northwest Detention Center Resistance movement, Gaymara (best Talmud study in town!), and six b’nai mitzvot this school year. We’ve hired more faculty to teach more kids, brought on a part-time youth & family organizer (thank you, Mollie!), and are striving towards being a fair & just employer. As a result, our annual budget has increased to nearly $200,000. That’s more than double what it was 3 years ago!
So many of you have responded to the challenge of meeting Kadima’s financial needs. You gave generously during our end-of-the-year fund drive, and made our January Tikkun Olam fundraising dinner a smashing success. We are grateful! Our community is stronger thanks to your contributions.
In spite of these fundraising successes, we’re falling short of this year’s budget – $40,000 short. How can that be?
Two years ago we voted as a community to adopt a new membership model. Instead of asking everyone to contribute a percentage of their income to become a member, we asked for $36 per year in dues, and a Nadiv Lev – a gift of the heart. The idea behind Nadiv Lev is that members choose a meaningful monthly sustaining gift. We recognize some people are able to give a lot, others less, and some are not in a position to give at all. Our
community embraced this approach to membership because it aligns with our community’s core values - most of all ensuring our doors are open to everyone. Nadiv Lev acts as our foundation of support - our river of sustenance - that keeps our community alive and growing.
But here’s the problem: Nadiv Lev contributions have not kept pace with our growth. Meeting our budget requires an average monthly per member Nadiv Lev contribution of around $30 (some giving more than that, some less, some nothing). Instead, we are averaging $13 per month.
The Kadima community needs your help with the foundational giving of Nadiv Lev to support Kadima’s core activities of community-based Judaism and social justice.
We invite you to consider: What is a meaningful Nadiv lev commitment for me? If I’ve given a single Nadiv Lev donation, could I consider an amount to give on a monthly basis?
In the coming weeks, Kadima board members will be reaching out. If you have thoughts on this, and want to talk directly with one of the officers, don’t wait for us to call - we’d love to hear from you!
L’shalom,
Jonathan Rosenblum, president (jonathanr4212@gmail.com, 206-465-7078)
Sima Kahn, vice president (sdkahn@simakahn.com, 206 854-5777)
Sarah Tuttle, treasurer (sarallelagram@gmail.com, 646-289-2503)
Julianna Alson, communications secretary (julianna.alson@gmail.com, 847-630-5171)