Dear Friends,

Once again, it is that time of year when we turn to you for financial assistance in the form of your Kol Nidre donation. Your donations are absolutely indispensable. They comprise a significant portion of the funds that we use to keep our synagogue open and running and providing a myriad of services to one and all. Make no mistake about it, we could not continue to function as a conservative, egalitarian congregation without your generous participation in this regard. I cannot stress this reality enough. First and foremost, your donations help us to pay for our devoted clergy who provide each of us with such wonderful and inspirational music and thought provoking insights into our Torah at this most holy time of year. Your donations help us pay for the study of the Torah and Mishnah throughout the year with the Rabbi and the Cantor, Hebrew language and Jewish education for our children and adults of all ages, exchange programs, interfaith events, cultural events, swimming programs and more. Your donations help us pay for the devoted staff of employees who keep this building running without which we could not function.

Our synagogue is approaching its 100 year anniversary. Often referred to as our “house of worship”, or as the “house of g-d”, this place of worship is our home. I mean that in a very literal sense. We, your President and the Board of Trustees, are your stewards. We, on your behalf, have accepted the responsibility of maintaining our home for all of us. We and the generations that follow us are the collective owners of this property. Currently our home is 93 years old. Like any home of this age, we continually must make necessary repairs and try to upgrade our facilities whenever possible. As I am sure that you can appreciate, to do this requires money. Your donations help us to do this work.

Additionally, to support increased demand, our membership and programs continue to grow. Our numerous volunteers help us to meet the requirements of these programs, and your participation in this regard is always welcome and of invaluable consequence. But today, I am asking you to show your support by making your Kol Nidre donation more generous than last year (or to give for the first time) while keeping in mind that you are investing this money in your home away from home, a place where you can come to pray, learn, play, and celebrate your children and your grandchildren on the occasion of their bris, baby naming, bar or bat mitzvah. After all: If we should cease to exist, where would you go? This is an appropriate time of year for you to consider what this synagogue means to you. I hope and pray that you will consider this in making your donations.

Donations may be paid with a credit card or may be spread out throughout the year. Sustaining support with monthly donations is strongly encouraged ($18, $50, $100 or more). We would greatly appreciate any amount that you can give via www.emjc.org, mailing a check, stopping by our office or calling 718.338.3800.

Thank you very much for your devotion to the East Midwood Jewish Center, still the leading Conservative Egalitarian synagogue in Brooklyn.

All of us at EMJC wish you and your family a happy, healthy, safe and enjoyable 5778.

Michael F. Schwartz, President 2017-19 of East Midwood Jewish Center