WELCOME TO NER SHALOM!
Drawing from our Reconstructionist roots and the soulfulness of Jewish Renewal, Ner Shalom embraces Judaism through ritual, social justice, music, learning and laughter. Ner Shalom is a welcoming community that strives to be "radically inclusive." Our membership includes interfaith families, LGBTQI folk, people of color, people with disabilities, Sephardi, Ashkenazi and Mizrachi Jews, and people who do not come from Jewish backgrounds who find connection and resonance with what we do.
For the first time in our synagogue’s history, and after careful reflection and planning, we are asking members to make an annual financial commitment, which takes into account the costs of operating the synagogue on an annual basis.
We deeply value the diversity within our community — including the wide range of financial capacities among our members. Annual contributions range from $18 to $12,000, and we are equally grateful for every gift. You know your financial situation best, and we encourage you to choose a level of support that feels both meaningful and manageable for you.
Your contribution helps us sustain all of our exciting programming, promote our social action initiatives, and support the operations of our synagogue as we collaborate to make a positive impact on the world.
This upcoming year’s average cost per member household is $3,000 (“Sustaining Membership” amount, calculated by taking the operating costs of the synagogue divided by the number of households) to support everything that makes Ner Shalom thrive:
Market-rate salaries for our rabbi, educators, and staff;
Nitzanim, our trailblazing school that engages the whole family;
Lifelong learning and community-building programs;
Shabbat and holiday rituals;
Life-cycle rituals and celebrations;
The basic costs of maintaining and operating our physical space.
Determining Your Dues Contributions:
The Board reviews the budget annually to determine the “Sustaining Membership” amount, which if paid by every household, would sustain the synagogue for one year.
For Fiscal Year 2025-26 (July 1 - June 30), Ner Shalom’s Sustaining Membership amount is $3,000 ($250/month), assuming current membership of 185 member families.
To help you determine your membership dues commitment, we ask that you keep in mind the needs of sustaining our synagogue while taking into account your personal financial situation. To aid in this assessment, we’ve provided the Ner Shalom Self-Assessment Tool.
Inclusion is a core value of Ner Shalom. We are enriched by everyone’s presence in our community regardless of their means. This is why we ask those who can to stretch.
The following is a list of our suggested dues tiers. We need 40% of our membership to commit to Tier 1, 2 or 3 in order to have sufficient funds to cover our operating costs. Again, we encourage you to use the Ner Shalom Self-Assessment Tool to help you determine your tier level, and we thank everyone for giving what they can. We have flexible options for financial dues—pay all at once or in installments.
Tier 1: $8,000–$12,000 per year ($667–$1000 per month)
Tier 2: $4,000–$8,000 per year ($334–$667 per month)
Tier 3: $2,000–$4,000 per year ($167–$334 per month)
Tier 4: $720–$2,000 per year ($60–$167 per month)
Tier 5: $18 - $720 per year (up to $60 per month)
To learn more about Ner Shalom Membership, please email Membership Coordinators: membership@nershalom.org
For general questions, please call the office at 707-664-8622 or email info@nershalom.org.
NEW MEMBER PLEDGE FORM 25-26:
MAKING YOUR DUES PAYMENT(S):
Once you submit your membership information above, if paying by credit/debit card, please enter your payment information below.
If paying by check/e-check, please mail your dues to 85 La Plaza, Cotati, CA 94931
If you would like to donate stock, please contact the office at info@nershalom.org.
Your donation is tax deductible. Our legal name is Sonoma County Synagogue Center and our tax ID number is 94-2832498.
For any questions regarding dues payments, please contact the office at 707-664-8622 or info@nershalom.org.