Gala 2020 Campaign

Dear Friends,

We hope this letter finds you and your entire family in good health. As a byproduct of the financial health of so many institutions has suffered during these last few months, and our shul is no exception. We are all living in unprecedented and turbulent times. Nobody could have ever expected the devastation and far-reaching effect the virus has had on all of us. We pray that we will be with each other again soon, praying and celebrating smachot together.

As you have all seen through these last two months, although our physical building is closed to members, Congregation Bnai Yeshurun is not.

We are open for shiurim, zoom davening, youth activities and board meetings. We are open as a repository for community chesed and support. We've increased our efforts to stay connected with our expanded bulletin and email updates. We are committed to maintaining the facility and grounds. Our Rabbinic, office and maintenance staff are the "essential workers" of our kehilla. Since CBY in all those respects remains open, our expenses remain largely unchanged. We have been seeking cost cutting measures wherever possible, yet the shul expenses are nearly in line with when we were fully open. We have saved some on our security expense and our utility expenses are slightly lower. The shul has also been fortunate to receive a loan from the Small Business Administration under the Payroll Protection Program and as per the program, if those funds are used for payroll and certain other discrete expenses, the loan will be forgivable.

So what has changed? Our revenue. When we developed and passed last year's budget, it was with the assumption that we would raise $200,000 in your generous donations via the Gala Kiddush and other fundraisers. This is what we've accomplished in the last several years, and it was a natural assumption when we passed the budget last May. In addition to the cancellation of fundraising events, we anticipate that some members may be struggling financially due to the economic downturn.

It is for this reason that we turn to you. We discussed various creative marketing strategies, but in the end, direct and transparent communication wins the day. The shul desperately needs to raise a minimum of $200,000 at this point to operate in the way that we have all come to appreciate and expect.

Congregation Bnai Yeshurun has a long and strong history. We have weathered many storms in the past and we will weather this one. However, to do so we need each and every one of you. Please think about what CBY means to you. Your generosity will ensure that we continue providing these services. Please consider matching your pledge from last year's Gala Kiddush Luncheon (to see last year's listing please click HERE), and please consider whether you have the capacity to increase that donation.

Donations at every level are meaningful, and we are striving for 100% participation.

Thank you in advance for your continued support.

Andrew Berkowitz, Treasurer

Ethan Keiser, President