Kol Tzedek is a spiritually alive and politically brave Jewish community at the forefront of progressive Judaism.
We offer engaging services, classes, and events almost every day of the year,
and we exist only through the financial support and generosity of our members.
We offer engaging services, classes, and events almost every day of the year,
and we exist only through the financial support and generosity of our members.
It is our first priority that money not be a barrier to or barometer of membership at Kol Tzedek. Therefore we use a Sustaining Shares Model to determine membership contributions. This means everyone can experience the benefits of membership, whether you give $18 a year or $18,000.
A "sustaining share" is the total cost of running the synagogue divided by the number of households. For 5783 (2022-2023), this number is $2,100 per year or $175 per month.
A "sustaining share" is the total cost of running the synagogue divided by the number of households. For 5783 (2022-2023), this number is $2,100 per year or $175 per month.
For membership to be accessible to people with fewer financial resources, we need 40% of members contributing at or above this number, including 20% in the $3,600 to 7,2000 range. We offer these tiers as a guide:
For comparison, membership dues at other Philadelphia-area synagogues average $3,000 to $5,000 a year.
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Sustaining our community is not a fee-for-service model where we ask people to give more if they use more resources. Instead, your contribution makes it possible for the community to exist when we each need it most.
As you're thinking about where you fall on this scale, please thoughtfully consider your resources.
To help you think holistically about what is right for your household, we offer this self-assessment tool:
To help you think holistically about what is right for your household, we offer this self-assessment tool:
Where your dues go:
To learn more about the our budget, a detailed breakdown of Kol Tzedek's income and expenses is available here.
Membership means:
Becoming a member was about moving from being an outside observer to a community builder... Being a member means that I get to help make decisions about the future of the shul and contribute to behind-thescenes work that makes everything happen.
There are many things I love about KT, but by far the best is having a place that replenishes my heart and soul from the day to day work of being human in this world at this moment.
From the first moment of walking in to KT, it has been the primary source of me finding community and feeling that Philadelphia is my home. It seemed right to become a dues paying member to support KT efforts to nurture ourselves as we also work toward a more justice-filled world.
When I am sitting in our community spaces I feel deeply rooted to my ancestors and to our present world. It's a sense of belonging and nourishment that goes deep into my bones and touches a primal need for connecting our hearts through song and prayer.