Yom Kippur 5786
by Lisa Eizen, Synagogue President
Shanah tovah. It is so good to see all of you here today as we gather for Yom Kippur, the holiest day of our year. On behalf of the Board and leadership of Society Hill Synagogue, I want to warmly welcome each of you – our members, our guests, and those who may be joining us for the first time.
We are grateful to our clergy and staff who have worked so hard to make these services meaningful and beautiful. And we are grateful to all of you for choosing to be here to share in this sacred time.
May this Yom Kippur be a source of strength, healing, and renewal for each of us. And may we all be sealed in the Book of Life for a sweet, healthy, and peaceful new year.
I want to take a few moments to share with you an update on the synagogue’s budget. Finances may not be the most spiritual of topics, but they are an essential part of sustaining our sacred community.
I am pleased to report that Society Hill Synagogue has a balanced budget for the 2025-26 year. That means our projected revenues and our planned expenses are aligned, ensuring that we can continue to support the programs, staff, and facilities that make our community thrive.
Our sources of revenue come from several key areas: synagogue membership dues, voluntary giving, and the tuition from both our Hebrew School and our Playschool. Together, these form the foundation of our financial stability.
On the expense side, our largest cost by far is payroll and related expenses. This reflects our deep investment in people – our Rabbi, our Cantor, our educators, our administrative and custodial staffs, and all those who make this synagogue a warm, welcoming, and vibrant place. In addition, we allocate funds to maintain our building, support programming, and sustain the many activities that bring us together.
As we move through the year, you will receive our end-of-year appeal. I want to be clear: this is not intended to make up for budget shortfalls. Our budget is balanced. Rather, the appeal is an opportunity – an opportunity for those who are able, to give beyond dues and tuition to help strengthen our community. These gifts allow us to grow, to innovate, and to dream beyond the limits of a balanced line item.
Looking ahead, the Board will also be addressing the important task of building additional financial reserves. Establishing reserves is about more than security – it is about ensuring long-term sustainability, preparing for unexpected needs, and positioning Society Hill Synagogue for a strong and vibrant future.
I want to thank each of you – our members – for the commitments you make through dues, tuition, and giving. Your generosity makes this balanced budget possible, and more importantly, it allows our synagogue to flourish as a place of learning, worship, joy and connection.
I also want to express my gratitude to our Finance Committee: Carmen Hayman, Brian Mono, Jeremey Newberg, Lesli Reich, Mark Steinberger, Jared Susco, Harvey Weiner, Rhonda Bello, Rabbi Kamesar, and Sahar Oz; to the Chair and our Treasurer, Rafi Licht; and to the members of our Board. Their careful stewardship, diligence, and thoughtful planning ensure that our congregation’s resources are managed with integrity and vision.
Together we are ensuring that Society Hill Synagogue not only thrives today, but is also prepared for the generations who will follow.
Over the past several months, the leadership has been engaged in meaningful conversations about the challenges and opportunities surrounding our synagogue’s physical space. These discussions have reminded us that our building is not just a structure of bricks and mortar, not just walls and rooms – it is the vessel that holds our prayer, our learning, our celebrations, and the relationships that form the heart of Society Hill Synagogue. It also holds 412 member households, 54 Playschool students, and 115 Hebrew School students.
We are now moving forward with the next important step: the development of a strategic plan. This plan will provide a framework for thinking about our needs and opportunities not only in terms of space, but in terms of the larger vision for who we are and who we aspire to be as a community. It is both a practical process and a deeply aspirational one. It will help us not only address our space needs, but also to envision the future of Society Hill Synagogue in a way that is thoughtful, sustainable, and aligned with our values.
By now, you should have received a survey via email. This survey is an essential part of the process. It is designed to capture your experiences as members of this community, as well as your hopes for what our congregation can be in the years ahead. Also, in November, you are invited to attend focus groups in person. These tools will ensure that our planning reflects the voices and experiences of our members. It is your opportunity to share what you value most about this community, what challenges you may see, and what dreams you hold for the future of our synagogue.
I cannot stress enough how important it is that each of us participates. Please take the time to respond. Share your reflections honestly and thoughtfully. Your input will not only inform the decisions of our leadership, it will help to ensure that our strategic plan is truly a reflection of our collective wisdom and our shared hopes.
As we look ahead, we have the opportunity to imagine and create a synagogue that honors our history, strengthens our present, and builds for the generations who will come after us. That vision can only be realized if we all lend our voices to this process.
Thank you all for your ongoing commitment, for your voices, and for your continued presence in this sacred community. Together, we will chart a path forward that honors our tradition and embraces our future, one that ensures Society Hill Synagogue continues to thrive as a place of connection, meaning, and sacred purpose.
Also, to that end, I am excited to share some wonderful updates about our committee formerly known as GUB – God’s Unfinished Business – which has been reimagined with a new name and an expanded mission.
Our new Hesed Committee is dedicated to caring for our community. The Hesed Committee is here for one simple reason: to take care of each other. When a member of our community is in the hospital, struggling with illness, needs a ride, faces mobility challenges, is going through a loss, we want them to know that they are not alone.
The Hesed Committee will respond to requests that come its way but now will also take the initiative to reach out. The goal is to ensure that no one in our community feels alone when facing life’s challenges, and that support is always within reach. From time to time, you will receive a “Shabbat Shalom” phone call from a Hesed member. During the call, if there is a need, feel free to share any issues that you may have or let them know of another member’s concerns. They are there to listen and to help.
I also want to take a moment to recognize Julie Wilson, who has led the GUB committee with such dedication and compassion. We are fortunate that Julie will continue as one of our co-chairs, and we’re excited to welcome Debbie Stewart, Natalie Landro, and Laurie Krivo to join her in this leadership role. Together they will help guide the committee forward as our community grows, ensuring that our tradition of care remains strong.
We are deeply grateful for the generosity of spirit each of them brings, and we know the committee will continue to be a source of comfort and connection to us all.
And we would love for you to be part of it! Society Hill Synagogue members are warmly invited to join the Hesed Committee. The first meeting for volunteers will be on Wednesday night, October 15, at 7:30 pm here at the synagogue. Please consider coming – your presence can make a real difference in someone’s life.
As we enter this new year together, my hope is that each of us finds moments of joy, of meaning and of connection – with ourselves, with one another, and with this community we share.
May it be a year of health and sweetness, of new beginnings and deeper friendships. And may we continue to show up for one another, in times of celebration and in times of need.
From my heart to yours, I wish you and your loved ones a very sweet and fulfilling new year.
Shanah tovah!