NHBZ – Yom Kippur Appeal – 2022 – 5783
Dear Members and Friends,
First, I extend my family’s greetings to you and your family for a Happy and Sweet New Year.
This past year brought a lot of changes to Nusach Hari Bnai Zion. We saw Rabbi Avi Okin move on to another path. We saw Rabbi Ze’ev Smason transition from his primary role as Rabbi of our shul. We went through great measures to search for, consider, and elect a new Rabbi – Rabbi Chaim Bogopulsky. All of this within a 12-month period. To say things have been a bit tumultuous is an understatement! We made daily, painstaking decisions, always with the best interest of the shul at heart.
Our professional staff, Synagogue Administrator Nancy Stenn and Bookkeeper Hindy Anton, attended to the daily operations, while we maintained the halachic standards of our synagogue, and we kept our services running safely and responsibly. This requires security each Shabbos, and at every event – an added expense in the unfortunate reality of today’s world where antisemitism is on the rise.
On the plus side, although Covid has not quite disappeared altogether, we returned to some semblance of normalcy during this past year. We had great attendance at Rosh Hashana services, and we ramped up programming geared towards learning, socializing, and bonding. We saw some old members returning once Covid restrictions lifted, and we saw new members joining.
The purpose of this letter is to reach out to each one of you, with a request that you provide your synagogue with the necessary financial resources to continue our existing programming, and launch new programming. The goal is to maintain a strong, vibrant congregation.
Nusach Hari B’nai Zion, founded in 1905, has existed for over 100 years, and with your continued support, we will exist for another 100 years. Towards that end, we plan to accelerate our youth programming and young adults programming, because it is ultimately the young people who represent the long-term future of our shul.
All of the above is only possible with your generous donations to your synagogue. I reach out to you to join me in fulfilling the mitzvah of Tzedakah during this 10 days of Repentance. Repentance, Prayer, and Charity are the stalwarts of Rosh Hashana and the 10 Days. Please donate generously so that we can continue with our missions of in-reach and out-reach.
Contributions may be made by mailing a check, calling the office with your credit card, or making payment through PayPal (please be sure to note “For 2022 Yom Kippur Appeal” on the transaction). Please also consider dedications to have friends and relatives recognized in the process.
There are other ways to give as well, including charitable gifts from your IRA (if over 72), and stock donations. Your personal tax advisor can offer useful details and suggestions.
Thank you for your continued support.
Kenneth Bressler, Shul President
