Jewish Post, Indianapolis, Marion County, 5 May 1972 — Page 12

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Ik# 4#wifh Pott And Opinion Friday, May 5, 1972

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ADAMNISTRATION • EQUIPMENT • SUPPLIES • aiPT SHOPS

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A Model New Plan For Building Fund Needs

By MYRON SCHOEN An important development has taken place in the area

of synagogue fin ance~. It comes from a c o ngregation far from the center of A m e r i c an Jewish life. But there is every possibility that

Schoen the new building fund program of Temple Beth Am, Seattle, Wash., will be copied by scores of synagogues from coast-to-coast in the not too distant future. As with the fair-share, selfevaluation dues structure, it will meet with opposition at the start and there will be many who will say that it won’t work in their congregation. However, as in the case of the fair-share

dues system, the logical and ethical ^Troach of this building fund plan is such that it's bound to catch hold. “THIS PROGRAM is a result of very careful study, and we believe offers a permanent solution to our building fund program. As the incomes of our members increase, the plan will provide for automatic additional funds to the building fund,” notes Albert N. Schreiber, Beth Am’s president. It was adopted at a special congregational meeting on Feb. 6 and on the 22nd, Henry Butler, chairman of the finance committee, sent out a three page memorandum to the membership providing all the details. Page one states the objectives succinctly — the plan is designed to pay for the congregation’s facility needs. “It is a selfassessment plan with each family pledging a monthly pay-

ment that can be revised annually. Monthly payments are continued for ten years, or 120 payments, after which the required obligation will be considered fulfilled. 9 * The memorandum then goes on to the advantages and notes that the receipts will enable the congregation to meet its monthly bank payments while at the same time enable each family to voluntarily adopt a payment plan that will fit their needs. “IT PROVIDES an equitable scale for contributing which is fairly based on various income levels ... It does not require any family to make a lump sum pledge that they would not wish to fulfill if, for example, they leave the Temple. No one will be obligated to any payments beyond the amount due up to the date of termination of membership. . .The plan gives credit for all past obligations,”

states the policy and procedures of the Beth Am plan. Members are given a further choice under this unique plan. They can choose a “full,” “standard” or “minimum” monthly contribution. The “full” calls for a yearly contribution of 2% per cent of annual gross income. “Standard” is for those with lower incomes and is based on 1 per cent to 2^4 per cent, while “minimum” is geared to 1 per cent at all income levels. THE EQUITY and logic of the approach is further spelled out on the second page under “annual revisions” which reads: “Each year each family can revise their contribution based on changes in their financial condition. For some this may be a downward revision; for others, an upward revision. The review and revision will be' scheduled at the start of. the

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"...nrrra’gjD nrs un?iojdi,, IT* ,1-11 -UlM 'And They Shall Make Fringes On The Corners Of Their Clothes* 1 NUMBERS 15:3# We Are Proud And Pleased To Advise The Public That After One Year Of Expansion Into The Production Of Our Israeli Made Talietim, The Response Has Been Overwhelming. The Quality, Standard Of Craftmanship And Packaging Is Comparable To Those Maintained By Ziontalis For Over Fifty Years In The - United States. Ziontalis Is Pleased To Participate And Stimulate The Growing Trend To Disseminate “Totzraot Haaretz” In The United States. Our Domestic Made Telietim Bearing Our Trade Name "Tifereth Zion’* And Now Our Israeli Made Talietim Bearing The Trade Name Of "Talitey Pe er - Jerusalem ,, Is Your Guarantee Of Quality Unsurpassed And Your Satisfaction Of Quality Workmanship Due The Public. When Purchasing A Talk At Your Local Book Store, Temple Gift Shop Or Direct From Us, Request That You Be Shown A Talit Made By Us, Either Bearing The Trade Name Of "Tifereth Zion” Or "Talitey Pe’er-Jerusalem”. All Our Talietim Are Hand Fringed And You The Customer Deserve The Finest. ZIONTALIS # ELDRIDGE STREET, NEW YORK, N. Y. 10002

congregational fiscal year on June 1.” Families may arrange for quarterly, semi-annual, annual and even end-of-year payment schedules and it is clearly pointed out that, “If a family is having such financial difficulties that even the minimum is an unusual hardship, they can arrange with the Finance Committee for an adjusted plan.” As in the fair-share, selfevaluation dues plan, this approach assures that the synagogue will benefit from any increases in its members’ income and thus hopefully offsetwhat is a certainty for every synagogue, an annual increase in its cost of operation. THE THIRD PAGE of the memorandum to the membership of Beth Am gives assurances about the confidentiality of the information supplied; what action will be taken if members fail to respond; that no payments will be required beyond the date a member terminates his membership; and a promise to report on the status of the building fund at least once a year. The leadership and Rabbi Norman D. Hirsh have take*: a momentous step towards eliminating the idea that you have to be rich to belong to the synagogue. They deserve to succeed.

Share! Mistaken (Continued from Preceding Pg.) most entirely unskilled — and construction time is cut to 4-# months or less. The cost is estimated at about 20 per cent below current costs. The present project consists of two-story houses due for completion in less than nine months. HOWEVER THE SAME system is applicable for 4 story multiple construction. The systems described above and others recommended are definitely applicable here — and the Housing Minister is ill advised to reject them as he has others in the past. All angles must be explored thoroughly and systems applied in areas where the factors are favorable — good quality pre-fab homes where land is plentiful, and new system construction for 2-4 story housing in more urban areas. However, it must be crystal clear to any competent observer that the standard multiple story prestressed concrete construction will remain basic here. The improvement of the organization and time scheduling of this type of construction must be the prime goal of contractors spurred by Government aid with cheaper land, more skilled labor and an assured flow of needed building material.

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IF YOU NEED IT.

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ZIONTALIS 48 ELDRIDGE ST. NYC WA 5-8 5 5 8

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