President's Message

July 2024                                                                              Letter from the Presidents

 Dear Members of Congregation Beth Shalom,

We wanted to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude for your continued support and generosity towards our beloved synagogue. Your dedication to our community is the cornerstone upon which we build our shared traditions, values, and faith.

It is with great pride that we reflect on the many achievements and milestones we have reached together. Celebrating our 50th anniversary this year left us with a renewed sense of hope. From enriching educational programs to uplifting worship services, your contributions have allowed us to create a vibrant and inclusive space for fostering a Jewish community and spiritual growth.

At the heart of our synagogue's success lies your unwavering commitment to tzedakah, the Jewish value of righteous giving. Your donations, whether big or small, have a profound impact on our ability to serve not only our members but also the broader community. Your contributions serve as modern-day “Terumah,” ensuring the ongoing maintenance and sustenance of our community. Your commitment to giving back to our synagogue enables us to preserve our heritage and continue our sacred work. Through your generosity, we have been able to continue our Neshama educational programming, update our remote streaming option to a Livestream, and foster dialogue and understanding during challenging times within the Jewish community.

Additionally, we want to emphasize that your generosity goes beyond financial support. Your time, talents, and dedication play an equally valuable role in strengthening our community and ensuring its vitality for generations to come. Whether you participate in our programming, lend a helping hand preparing our Passover dinner, show up early to help our welcoming committee, or coordinate pickup times during the Food Faire, your day-to-today involvement enriches the fabric of our synagogue in profound ways.

In order to sustain our community for another fifty years, we must be clear-eyed and transparent about the CBS’ financial needs. Over the years, our synagogue has served as a beacon of light and a spiritual home for many individuals and families in our community. It has been a place of worship, of learning, and of togetherness. It is with great concern that we inform you that our synagogue is currently facing a financial deficit, but not one that is beyond repair.

Despite best efforts to manage our finances responsibly, we find ourselves struggling with a new reality– needing to dip into CBS’ modest reserves year-after-year. It is clear that this practice is unsustainable in the long run.

For these reasons, we encourage all members to find a way to increase their Terumah pledge in any way possible–whether it be big or small. Truthfully, anything helps. In the coming year, we will be reaching out to each and every adult member of our community asking for increased support. Last year, we hosted a number of successful fundraisers, such as “Raise the Roof,” multiple poker nights, “Drag Queen Bingo” and more. We fully intend to build upon these fundraising efforts by introducing community driven fundraising opportunities. We additionally encourage you to volunteer with us and to support our fundraising efforts.  If you have not already made your 2024/25 pledge, please take a moment to fill out the Terumah form and return it to CBS.  You may scan it back to Jenny Jeffrey at administrator@cbshalom.org or it can be mailed to: CBS, 4746 El Camino, Carmichael CA 95608.

As we look back on our first fifty years as a congregation, it is clear that CBS is at a critical juncture. We want to express our deepest appreciation for your continued partnership and commitment to our shared vision. With your support and generosity, we will continue to build a thriving community rooted in tikkun olam, compassion, and unity.

With warm regards,

Matt Broad and Ella Rohde, Co-Presidents, Congregation Beth Shalom