Yom Kippur Appeal 5778

New Beginnings

2017/5778 Yom Kippur Appeal

Dear Friends,

Though it is still summer, the nights begin to cool and we can almost feel a new season beginning with thoughts of autumn and the High Holidays. As we enter this season of holiness and reflection, we have new beginnings to look forward to. Rabbi Chaim Poupko, together with his wife Shoshana, will formally begin his position as our Senior Rabbi and will continue a tradition of outstanding Ahavath Torah rabbinic leadership. Rabbi Kuessous continues his dynamic leadership of the Benaroya Sephardic Center. We also welcome the energy and talent of Rabbi Daniel Goldberg who will be joining us as Assistant Rabbi. We look forward to our esteemed Rabbi Goldin, soon to be our Rabbi Emeritus, returning as a visiting scholar over the coming year

While new beginnings are exciting, they require our support on two important levels. First, we need everyone’s involvement. Volunteers form the heart of our synagogue. Second, the synagogue, as always, requires the generous financial support of all its members. Our contributions matter more than ever.

Ahavath Torah relies on our annual Yom Kippur Appeal to continue to allow our community to thrive. By making a pledge this year, you will cultivate the continued growth of the Ahavath Torah community. Donations will enable us to continue developing and offering the wonderful programs on which we have all come to rely, including educational events, youth programs and chesed activities.

Last year, we instituted the Ner Tamid Circle for families who contribute $10,000 or more. This past year,
32 families became charter Ner Tamid Circle contributors. We think that we can raise this number meaningfully. Ner Tamid Circle members make a single annual commitment to the synagogue. This single contribution would be in lieu of:

• Membership dues
• Security assessment
• Yom Kippur Appeal pledges
•  Appeal pledgesYizkorIndividual
• Two seats to the CAT Annual Dinner
• Four seats for the High Holidays
• Sisterhood dues
• Locker rental

Whether or not your family chooses to become a Ner Tamid Circle family, we ask all who are able to go an important extra step. Please consider increasing your donation by either one category from last year or increasing your donation by at least 10%. Those making this increased commitment will be specially recognized.

Please show your support today. Make an early and generous contribution to the Congregation Ahavath Torah 2017 Yom Kippur Appeal.

Gold ($7,200 and up)                Pearl ($1,800 and up)
Ruby ($5,400 and up)               Silver ($1,000 and up)
Sapphire ($3,600 and up)       Bronze ($540 and up)
Emerald ($2,500 and up)        Contributors

For any questions or more information, please contact Melody Sandor (msandor@ahavathtorah.org ; 201-568-1315 ext. 21) or any of our office staff, who will be happy to assist in any way. They can take your pledge over the phone or greet you in person when you drop off your check or make your pledge above on our online form.

* Ner Tamid Circle giving levels are set at $54,000, $36,000, $25,000, $18,000, $15,000, $12,500 and $10,000. For more information about the Ner Tamid Circle, contact Bruce Brafman (beesymph@aol.com), Norris Nissim (norrisnissim@hotmail.com) or Lee Schwartz (leeelliotschwartz@gmail.com).

Yom Kippur Appeal Committee: Bruce Brafman, Norris Nissim, Lee Schwartz

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Bruce Brafman, President    Norris Nissim, Chairman of the Board    Jeremy Fingerman, Vice President

Michael Ratzker, Treasurer    Lindsay Setton, Financial Secretary    Marcy Cohen, Recording Secretary

Danny Federbush, Officer at Large