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Membership

New Membership

If you are interested in becoming a member, please call our office at 207-879-0028 so that we can describe what membership means, tell you about our membership structure, outline ways of becoming involved in our community, and see if you are interested in our religious school. We are also happy to have initial conversations with people seeking to learn more about Judaism. We would be delighted to welcome you to our community.

Renewing Membership

If you are already a member, you know that our “House of the People” is for everyone, no matter where they are on their Jewish journey and no matter their background. We want to be sure our approach to membership and our financial support system reflect these values. To that end, we have crafted a support model that both reflects and makes manifest those values.

We are currently updating our online renewal form to align with our new financial commitment process.  In the meantime, please contact the office if you need a paper form or to make a payment over the phone.  We can be reached at 207-879-0028.

Financial Commitment

Your membership participation enriches all of us and is essential to maintaining our operations.  Together, we have a Jewish home to celebrate our traditions and find joy in being a community. In an effort to make the renewal process easier for our members, you’ll notice we’ve simplified our forms.  However, our giving model continues to be based on a voluntary system of t’rumah (“free will” offering, not a required one).  It isn’t based on how many in a household are active at the synagogue or how often they use it.  Instead, it is based on how much one’s heart is moved to strengthen, celebrate, and grow Jewish life at Congregation Bet Ha’am while considering a household’s own financial capacity. 

Allowing members to set their own financial commitment opens the doors even wider to all, regardless of financial circumstances.  While we recommend a sustaining amount to pledge, the actual amount of the commitment is up to each member. In this way, we remove barriers to membership, build stronger partnerships, and continue to develop enduring relationships.  For the 2024-2025 fiscal year, Bet Ha’am’s Treasurer has recommended the sustaining amount of $1,650 per household, or $137.50 per month. We also have a dedicated ‘Security Fee’ of $125 and ‘Building Fee’ of $180.  This amount will allow the synagogue to meet our current operating expenses, reduce the projected budget deficit, and continue to welcome new families at any level, regardless of ability to pay.

We thank you for your meaningful support of our vibrant and engaged Bet Ha’am community, our House of the People.  Your participation helps ensure we have the financial support to sustain our religious community for the coming year.  As you consider your financial commitment for 2024-25, please be as generous as you can. If you’re able, we hope you’ll consider pledging at a higher level so that Bet Ha’am can remain accessible to those who could not otherwise afford to be part of our mishpacha (family).

We look forward to sharing the coming year with you.