blogs/brentspodek

There is no easy way to put this: the financial convulsions that we as a country are going through affect every one of us individually and they affect Beacon Hebrew Alliance as well. 

When businesses started shuttering and people started losing jobs and income in the spring, we launched the Congregational Support Program to help get cash in the hands of people who needed help with groceries, mortgage payments and other necessities. That program is still operating, and if you need assistance, please let me know.

Of course, Beacon Hebrew Alliance only exists because of the generosity of our community, so as individuals hurt, so too does our small synagogue hurt. 

This is the time of the year where we ask people to reach deep to help ensure that Jewish life continues to survive and thrive here in the Hudson Valley. More than ever before, we need folks who care about Jewish life for themselves and for others to help support this community. 

The demands on BHA are only growing as we try to support people in our community who are suffering both emotionally and materially, figure out how to teach our students in ways that meet public health guidelines, continue to offer programs that nourish us all and find ways of working with our interfaith partners to make this region and this country a more just place. 

We are currently about 25% of the way to our goal, and every indication is that it will be a challenge to make it all the way. We are fully confident that we will make it all the way, but it will take all of us, and it will take those with the means to do so to reach even deeper in recognition of the reality that there are many in our communities who simply cannot be as generous as they were in years past. 

This annual fund-raising effort is a bit of a high-wire act. There is no plan B - the funds we raise through this Kol Nidrei campaign are what we need to balance the budget and keep things going for this fiscal year. 

Over the next ten weeks we will be rolling out letters and videos and phone calls as we do every year. Literally every dollar counts in this effort, so if you can, please pitch in to support our community. 

We are beyond grateful for the more than 200 members of this community who supported BHA through the Kol Nidrei campaign last year, and we hope that even more will take that step this year. Please be one of the people who make it happen.

It will take all of us - and we can do this. 

With blessings and gratitude,

Brent Spodek, Rabbi

Ellen Pearson Gersh, Cantor

Julia Alexander, Education Director

Faith Adams, Administrator