Membership
Find Your Place at Congregation Beth Shalom
There is a difference between attending a congregation and belonging to one.
Membership at Congregation Beth Shalom means becoming part of a Jewish community that learns together, celebrates together, cares for one another, and works together to make our corner of the world a little better.
CBS is a place to build relationships, explore Jewish life, celebrate Shabbat and holidays, learn at every stage of life, raise children in Jewish community, mark life’s most meaningful moments, and find people who will show up for you along the way.
Whether you have been deeply connected to Judaism for years, are returning after time away, are part of an interfaith or multifaith family, are exploring what Jewish community might mean for you, or simply feel that Beth Shalom could be home, we invite you to join us.
Membership is not about fitting a particular mold. It is about helping create a community in which all of us can belong.
What Membership Makes Possible
When you become a member of Congregation Beth Shalom, you are not simply paying dues. You are helping sustain a shared Jewish community.
Member support makes possible our worship and holiday celebrations, educational programs for children and adults, pastoral and community care, social action, gatherings for families and individuals, and the people and infrastructure that allow CBS to remain a welcoming and vibrant Jewish home.
Every household contributes differently. Together, those contributions make Beth Shalom possible.
Guided Gifts From the Heart
A Fairer Way to Sustain Our Community
Rather than setting the same dues amount for every household, Congregation Beth Shalom uses Guided Gifts From the Heart—recommended annual contributions based on household income or its lifestyle equivalent.
The idea is simple: each of us gives according to our circumstances so that all of us can help sustain the community.
These amounts are guidance, not a price of admission. They provide a shared framework for determining a fair contribution while recognizing that every household’s circumstances are different.
| Household Income / Category | Recommended Annual Gift |
| Dor Chadash — New Generation, under age 30 | $360 |
| Under $36,000 | $120 |
| $36,000–$49,999 | $360 |
| $50,000–$99,999 | 1.0% of income — approximately $500–$1,000 |
| $100,000–$149,999 | 1.2% of income — approximately $1,200–$1,800 |
| $150,000–$199,999 | 1.4% of income — approximately $2,100–$2,800 |
| $200,000–$249,999 | 1.6% of income — approximately $3,200–$4,000 |
| $250,000–$299,999 | 1.8% of income — approximately $4,500–$5,400 |
| $300,000–$349,999 | 2.0% of income — approximately $6,000–$7,000 |
| $350,000 and above | $8,000 |
We call these Gifts From the Heart because membership is an investment in one another. Households with greater financial capacity help make it possible for households with fewer resources to participate fully in the life of our congregation.
The result is a community supported not by equal payments, but by shared responsibility.
Religious School
For households with children enrolled in our Religious School, the annual education fee is:
$180 per student
This contribution helps support the teachers, programs, materials, and experiences that make Jewish learning possible for our children and teens.
We want Jewish education to remain accessible to the families who want it and an integral part of the community we build together.
Security Fee
Creating a safe and welcoming environment for everyone who enters our community is a responsibility we share.
CBS therefore has an annual security fee that, like Guided Gifts From the Heart, is scaled according to household income:
| Household Income | Annual Security Fee |
| Under $50,000 | $0 |
| $50,000–$99,999 | $75 |
| $100,000–$149,999 | $125 |
| $150,000–$199,999 | $175 |
| $200,000 and above | $200 |
These funds directly help CBS provide appropriate security for worship, holidays, educational programs, and other congregational gatherings.
What Might My Annual Commitment Look Like?
Your annual household commitment is straightforward:
Guided Gift From the Heart
+ Security Fee
+ $180 per Religious School student, if applicable
Because the first two amounts are based on income, households contribute at levels designed to reflect their financial circumstances.
And because Guided Gifts are recommendations, we encourage members to approach their commitment in the spirit in which the program was created: thoughtfully, generously, and with consideration for both their household and the community we share.
Come Build Beth Shalom With Us
A congregation is more than a building, a calendar of events, or a collection of programs.
It is people choosing to belong to one another.
Becoming a member means adding your voice, your experiences, your questions, your traditions, your talents, and your presence to Congregation Beth Shalom. In return, we hope you will find friendships, learning, celebration, support, purpose, and a Jewish community you can call your own.
There is room here for you.
Ready to make Beth Shalom your Jewish home?
We would love to welcome you to Congregation Beth Shalom.
Have questions before joining? We would be happy to talk with you about CBS, membership, or Guided Gifts From the Heart.
