Executive Director

Please continue to show up for Israel, and please continue to show up for TBS. 

Golda Meir had a famous quote: “There are those who love you, and there are those who love you and show up.”

Not sure what’s more inspiring, the number of volunteers I recently worked with at the Hatzerim army base who showed up to help the IDF, the numerous countries that they represent, or the number of volunteers who aren’t Jewish but came to show their support for Israel and the Jewish people. Put it all together and I can’t help but feel optimism and hope, just as our presence in Israel provided optimism and hope for the soldiers and citizens of Israel. Lots of gratitude all around. And by the way, showing up doesn’t necessarily mean physically going to Israel. Showing up can also include financial support, attending rallies, speaking up, educating, and advocating on social media. Surely, Golda would have had an Instagram account. 

In terms of financial support, there’s an interesting trend taking place throughout Jewish communities across North America right now, where giving is so focused on Israel that local Jewish organizations are struggling to meet their year-end fundraising goals. It’s a tough spot to be in because all of our hearts are with Israel, and we are certainly not tone-deaf to the crisis in Israel, yet we need to be able to fund synagogue operations and programming. You love Israel, and you love TBS. So please continue to show up for Israel, and please continue to show up for TBS. 

Tonight is the last night of Hanukkah. The word Hanukkah means “rededication.” This is because it celebrates the rededication of the Temple by the Maccabees after their victory over the Assyrian-Greeks in 165 BCE. In order to rededicate their Temple, the Maccabees cleaned out the sanctuary, relit the menorah, and celebrated for eight days. This makes us wonder: how will we rededicate ourselves to Judaism and our temple this Hanukkah? Our kehillah kedoshah, sacred community, is powered by generosity. We are blessed with many dedicated volunteers who give their time and exert tremendous effort to make TBS a caring community. We are also blessed with many dedicated donors who help make sure that we have the resources we need to inspire Jewish living and learning. So, we ask that you rededicate your commitment to TBS with a gift to help us continue to pursue our mission.
One of the ways we celebrate Hanukkah is by giving gifts. As you consider making year-end gifts to organizations, we would like you to consider adding TBS to your list. Perhaps you would like to contribute to one of our many funds that you find meaningful. At this time of year, many of us consider year-end charitable contributions, not only in the spirit of giving, but to help offset our tax liability. As always, your donations to TBS are greatly appreciated and are used in many ways to enhance our synagogue. 

Some congregants choose to pay their dues in full or pay down their building fund balance to help offset their tax liability. Others choose to donate their required minimum distribution from their IRA to TBS. Some congregants choose to donate to TBS through the contribution of stock. This is a very attractive year-end tax-savings strategy, especially considering strong market gains. Donating appreciated stock can increase your tax benefit. If you donate an appreciated security that you have owned for longer than one year, you will avoid paying the capital gains on the sale. In addition, the gifted stock allows you to potentially deduct the entire value of the donation on your tax return. Stock donations can also be applied towards various areas of financial obligation to the synagogue. An end-of-year charitable contribution to TBS is a wonderful opportunity for all of us to lessen our tax burden and provide a valuable donation to our shul. 

Regardless of whether you choose to contribute because we are in the midst of celebrating Hanukkah, or because you want to get that year-end tax deduction – we are grateful. If you cannot give today, please consider a gift for the future through the Life & Legacy program. If you would like to learn more about Life & Legacy, or how you can make a donation to Temple Beth Sholom through the contribution of stock, please contact me at rons@tbsonline.org or (856) 751-6663 x218. For tax advice, please consult your tax advisor. 

On behalf of the TBS Clergy and staff, we wish you a Hag Hanukkah Sameah! 
B’Shalom,
Ron Safier 
Executive Director