You may also donate on Venmo (memo line: HHD)

Dear KI Congregants,

Shanah Tovah! Thanks to you, it’s been a fantastic year, and we have a lot to look forward to together. I appreciate you for all of the ways you make Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel a model for Reform Judaism, creating a stronger, more welcoming home for all of us. Your financial support, volunteer time, and leadership skills have made a significant positive impact for our synagogue Congregants and greater community.

I always get a surprised reaction when I tell people that over 80% of KI’s expenses cover staffing costs for the many programs of KI. These costs are not fully covered by dues and tuition, as many believe. Yet, it’s our dedicated clergy and staff, along with equally dedicated volunteers, who make the magic happen here every day. The High Holy Day appeal fills such an important role to ensure that KI has the personnel to be a visionary leader in the greater Jewish community. 

Consider the experiences of our new members who chose to join KI in the past year. They’ve been looking for a more meaningful synagogue connection, may have gone  “shul shopping,” experienced our expressions of  warmth and comfort and have since joined our Congregation. Rabbi David, Cantor Levy, and others impressed these second-home seekers with a culture of open arms and an easy embrace.

I’m asking you today: please consider contributing to KI to show your support for the efforts of our esteemed clergy.  Donate below to send a generous gift for this year’s High Holy Day appeal.

This past year, in addition to families, three more faith based organizations joined the KI campus, and we’re that much closer to achieving our long-standing goal of being a Center of Jewish Living. They each told us that our Executive Director Brian Rissinger’s attention to their needs and his professionalism influenced their decision to share our campus and eased their transition.The fervor around KI’s Temple Judea Museum, Meyers Library, Spiritual Music and Music Arts, Social Action and Social Justice – all made their decisions even easier. 

I encourage you to donate below and support the hard work of Brian and the awesome professional and programming staff who make it possible for KI to host so many Campus Partners. 

As you consider donating more to the High Holy Day (HHD) appeal than you did last year, please consider the educators who nurture our precious children. KI cares for over 230 students from infant through teen years, and the ONLY way to do that as successfully as we do is with highly skilled, caring professionals.

Students with disabilities, students who need emotional support, students who require educational scaffolding or tutoring or enrichment – they all greatly benefit from KI’s team of experts, including our Director of the Preschool Kelly Sussman, Director of Religious Education Deb Rosen, Youth Engagement Director Lee Slobotkin, our team of tutors, and the teen Madrachim who give up Sunday mornings to embrace our youth and lift up our staff. 

Thank you for championing these treasures of our Congregation with your HHD appeal gift to cover the costs that tuition does not.

I’m reminded of a member who lives in Center City and joined KI “because I feel it’s so important to do my part to sustain Judaism through relevant and engaged synagogue life, and the people at KI support me and other Congregants in such kind and powerful ways.” 

I urge you to support KI as a Jewish institution, but more importantly, as a Congregation – a gathering – of like-minded people who share the goals of strengthening Keneseth Israel today by embracing the larger community and delivering a vibrant Judaism into the next generation and beyond. 

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Since October 7, many of us have struggled with heartbreak and stress.  Fortunately, we didn’t have to be alone and instead benefited from coming together for comfort and strength. In this age of threatening and stubborn antisemitism, our strength as a community is our ability to support each other as individuals.

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Congregants far surpassed the projected HHD Appeal goal of $30,000 last year – thank you! So we budgeted the ambitious milestone of $48,000 for this year. Let’s surpass the mark again in 5785! 

L’Dor V’Dor — and with your help, may we go from Strength to Strength.

On behalf of the KI Board of Trustees, and with gratitude and joy, I wish you Shalom Aleichem,

Andrew Altman, KI President kipresident@kenesethisrael.org 

P.S.   Please donate below, mail your donation today, or call the office now at 215-887-8700 to pledge your support.  Your tax-deductible donation will help ensure that we surpass our target again this year. 

I am grateful for your gift this High Holy Day season.