Since 1956, Temple Sholom has been a place to experience meaningful worship, inspiring ritual, and lifelong learning.

We welcome all those seeking a Reform Jewish home for themselves and their families. We are proud of our past, and through this campaign look to the future as we ensure that Temple Sholom can serve the community for generations to come – l’dor vador (“from generation to generation”). 

What is the L’dor Vador Clergy Endowment?

Our Purpose: To secure Temple Sholom’s future as a vibrant and thriving congregation

Our Plan: To significantly increase our endowment and offset annual operating expenses by establishing The Clergy Endowment Fund

Our Campaign Goal: $5 million

As we look to Temple Sholom’s future, two key goals must shape our plans: first, to continue to invest in our people, programs, and facilities; and second, to make Temple Sholom membership and full participation accessible to all.

One key to reaching these goals is the establishment of a new endowment at Temple Sholom, a permanently invested fund that will provide us with a long-term source of financial stability and a predictable revenue stream. Specifically, the focus of this campaign is to establish The Clergy Endowment Fund. In addition to recognizing our current rabbi and cantor and the central part they play in making Temple Sholom the congregation it is, the decision to focus this fund in this way will:

  • Help offset the single biggest expenses in our yearly budget, clergy compensation, while freeing funds for other uses.

  • Ensure that the positions of rabbi and cantor will be staffed by full-time clergy in the years to come.

  • Enable Temple Sholom to pay a competitive salary to attract exceptional individuals to these posts in the future.

The Clergy Endowment Fund will be stewarded by our Board of Trustees and will serve as a pillar of an endowment that we hope will continue growing in the years ahead, providing a permanent source of financial strength and security for Temple Sholom. 

Next Steps

If you are ready to make a multi-year pledge or contribute now, please click the button below to request a call from Jeff Green, our Executive Director.

Why Give to the Endowment Campaign?

  • Gifts to Or L’atid are critical to support the annual activities of the synagogue.  An endowment will supplement the budget with an annual draw which will increase over the years based on both the corpus growing and the investment returns.  It also provides your family will the opportunity to support the synagogue far into the future – ensuring its legacy for generations to come.

  • Yes! If you are 73 or older, you are required to take a minimum distribution from an IRA with the distribution being considered income and therefore taxable.  However, if you don’t need the funds, you can instead make this distribution to Temple Sholom as it is a qualified charity vs. paying taxes on this income.

  • You can make it now with an outright gift or as a pledge over several years which provides the Board of the Temple with information they can use as they plan the annual budget. And, importantly, you can remember the synagogue in your estate plans – showing your commitment to the congregation that has meant so much to you during your lifetime. 

  • You can continue your support of Temple Sholom after your lifetime by considering a tax-wise gift from your retirement plan or IRA.  A retirement plan or IRA is typically the largest source of assets that generate taxable income when paid to a beneficiary.  You may want to consider leaving taxable assets to the synagogue and nontaxable assets to your loved ones after talking with your financial advisor.