The Rabbi’s Challenge

Dear Friends,

We all know, too well, of the difficult economic situation facing our country and our own community.  Our congregation, like thousands around the country, is facing a financial short-fall that will affect our ability to offer the many needed services that we have come to expect in the past.

Recently, I offered a challenge to the Executive Board and then to the Board that I want to share with you and encourage those of you, who are able to do so, to take up this challenge.

I plan to donate a portion of my scheduled cost-of-living increase, $2,500, back to the temple. I challenge 10 individuals, families, or groups of individuals and families to match my tzedekah. While the $27,500 this challenge can raise won’t completely fix our current cash-flow and budget difficulties, I do believe that it will certainly help. I am a ready to do my part!

In addition, I am very grateful to the hard work and long, long hours that our president, Ralph Karsh, and our treasurer, Martin Greenberg, along with the rest of the Executive Board and Board, have dedicated to our congregation during the past 10 months to guide us on a path toward fiscal solvency.  Yasher koach! (Way to go!)

I urge you to please participate in this unique challenge today; as we say after we finish reading one of the books of Torah – hazak, hazak, v’nit’hazek – be strong, be strong and together we shall be strengthened. Please contact or to let them at what level you will participate; remember no amount is too small and by contributing together we can meet this challenge.

B’shalom,

Art

Rabbi Art Donsky