I would really like to take my two children to synagogue, but it is very expensive and I feel very uncomfortable about not being able to pay. For the last few years we have just not gone but that makes me feel very sad and alone and I would like to have them go. What can I do?
2007-12-03 08:46:04 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Thanks for the helpful answers, I can say absolutely that there is NO WAY
where I live that my children could go to Hebrew school without paying and they
claim to offer financial assistance but it is very minimal. IN terms of a synagogue, well sometimes they make you feel really bad if you can't pay.
2007-12-03 09:09:02 · update #1
Thanks for the answers. I am surprised at the number of people who have said they have never heard of a synagogue
turning people away for not being able to pay. Well maybe they don't turn you away, but they try to make you feel so bad that you won't come back. At least
that is the experience that I had last year when I tried to take my children to hear the shofar on Yom Kippur. I ended up crying because I felt so bad, and I
don't do that easily. I ended up leaving because I felt like such a loser.
2007-12-04 04:44:43 · update #2
Julie,
Yes, it is true that some synagogues do insist you give a certain amount in order to help support the basic costs of running the synagogue. We have people who give very little and that's ok. We even have people who give nothing, and that's ok.
Just not going is not an option though. If you feel very strongly that this particular synagogue is the one that is best for your spiritual development and that of your children, I can help out.
If you email me with your real email address and the amount needed, I may be able to find a way to send funds through paypal and maintain our privacy. If it's out of reach for me, I can at least send part.
Or if you prefer, send me the name and address of your Rabbi and I'll send a donation on your behalf. You can just let the Rabbi know it's coming from Gershon. That's my real name and one I'd put in the cover letter.
There is only one simple condition.
In Malachi 3:10 it says "Bring all the tithes into the storage house, and let it be sustenance in My Temple. Test me, if you will, with this, says Hashem, Master of Legions, see if I do not open up for you the windows of the heavens and pour out upon you blessings without end."
Test G-d by tossing a dollar in a salvation army bucket and see if your blessings don't multiply.
Shalom,
Gershon
2007-12-03 10:44:48 · answer #1 · answered by Gershon b 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You do not have to be a member of a temple to attend any service.
And I have never heard of a child being turned away from a Jewish education at a temple because the family could not afford the membership dues. And I do know of families that were not able to pay the dues and had their children attend Hebrew school. It is not as uncommon as you would think. In fact, it is not uncommon at all.
If your children are Jewish, they really need to have access to a synagogue. Judaism is not just something you learn about in books or on the internet. It is to a great extent being an active part of a community.
2007-12-03 08:57:39 · answer #2 · answered by WhatsYourProblem 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well, there is no entrance fee to any synagogue. If you cannot pay the membership fee, talk to a rabbi and you and he will be able to work something out--no one is refused because of their inability to pay. Definitely, talk to the rabbi about this.
Also, are there many Jews in your area? If there are, you can have some friends and their kids over for holiday parties and things--Hanukkah starts tomorrow night, that's a great time for an impromptu get-together. You have the whole week. Get some dreidels, chocolate coins, decorations, it could be fun.
Plus there are lots of resources online for parents raising Jewish children who don't really know how to get them involved. Do some google searches.
Peace, and good luck, and seriously, talk to the rabbi. You'll be able to work something out.
2007-12-03 09:05:15 · answer #3 · answered by LadySuri 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Go to a Chabad center, they will let you go for free. I never heard of a synagogue turning someone a way for not being able to pay the synagogue fee
2007-12-04 03:56:42 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I never heard about having to pay?! Well anyway why not got to a more reformed temple? So what if you donate a dollar, if you must contribute. Where is that you are trying to get into that makes you pay?
2007-12-03 09:02:45 · answer #5 · answered by Miss 6 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is allot of information online.
Maybe you could recreated some of the Jewish traditions, like the sadar or shabbat for them.
2007-12-03 08:49:04 · answer #6 · answered by ɹɐǝɟsuɐs Blessed Cheese Maker 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Is Chabad in your neighborhood? I'm sure they'll be glad to teach your children.
Take them to holiday celebrations like Purim, etc. You don't have to be a member to attend.
.
2007-12-03 09:19:39 · answer #7 · answered by Hatikvah 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why is it expensive?? I have gone...enjoyed the services ... and tithed... but I didn't need to.
Take your kids...and if "paying" is a problem talk to the Rabbi..
I am sure that he/she would comfort you on this issue.
Shalom
2007-12-03 08:50:11 · answer #8 · answered by Looking UP 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do they really charge to get into the synagogue? Wow, I guess God ISN'T for everyone :(
2007-12-03 08:49:19 · answer #9 · answered by Y!A P0int5 Wh0r3 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋