Congregants often wonder why, if they already pay their regular membership dues, Beth Tzedec requests additional philanthropic contributions through the Annual High Holy Day Appeal. The answer lies in the evolving needs of our community and the limitations of the traditional "dues-based" funding model, which was designed for a much simpler synagogue experience of the 1970s. But today, Beth Tzedec is much more than that, and to sustain our growth and continue our mission, we need your support.

When I had my Bar Mitzvah in 1987, almost every Jewish family I knew belonged to a synagogue—whether Reform, Conservative, or Orthodox. Congregational membership was a given, a central part of Jewish life. Many had little relationship with their Rabbis and attended solely as an obligation at the High Holy Days with a dearth of other connections to their shul. But this was the fashion of the time. They paid and they attended, every year, whether they felt a connection or not.

Fast forward to today, and the landscape has changed significantly. While the current generation values and celebrates Judaism and community just as much as past generations did, they often seek these experiences in a more piecemeal fashion, across a variety of rich and diverse offerings throughout Jewish Toronto. Community members feel far from obligated, and often deeply turned off, by joining the traditional congregations of their parents and grandparents which are viewed as outdated. They shop a la carte and lose a great deal in their experiences.

Beth Tzedec offers something profoundly different from this patchwork of programs and services—a holistic Jewish experience where every congregant is known, recognized, and valued. Instead of attending separate events like Kol Nidre here and Chanukah there, you become part of a connected community. At Beth Tzedec, you don’t merely "attend"; you join a journey rooted in our six core values: Care, Connect, Pray, Learn, Celebrate, and Tzedakah.

Our membership model, designed for a simpler time, no longer supports the diverse and vibrant community we have become. For over a decade, we’ve kept membership contributions unchanged to remain accessible while continuing to evolve. However, these contributions now cover only 30% of our budget, falling short of what’s needed to sustain our growth and impact.

Beth Tzedec is no longer "just a synagogue"; it is a central community hub and one of Toronto’s most crucial Jewish organizations. To match our current role and ensure our continued relevance, we must embrace a culture of philanthropy similar to other major Jewish organizations in our city. This means seeing Beth Tzedec not just as a place where you pay dues, but as a cause worthy of significant investment—one that ensures our future and impact.

We face a choice: adapt now or risk future challenges. We must maintain reasonable membership dues while seeking additional philanthropic support. By fostering a culture of philanthropy, we can relieve financial constraints and allow Beth Tzedec to thrive.

If we are to remain a central Jewish Toronto institution—a place where the opinions of our Rabbis and leaders are sought out nationally and internationally—if we are to continue hosting major Jewish community events, and if we are to maintain a cohort of over 1,000 families under the age of 40, the largest of any congregation worldwide, we must be funded accordingly. Most importantly, if we are to be a place centered around personal relationships and our core values, then we must all consider contributing beyond our regular membership dues.

As we look to the upcoming High Holy Days, I invite you to rethink Beth Tzedec, as not just your synagogue, but as a central community organization worthy of serious philanthropic consideration. Your contributions are essential to ensuring that Beth Tzedec remains a unique and special place—one that inspires and enables our community to live meaningful Jewish lives.

Thank you for your generosity.