While expenses continue to increase, we have chosen to fix our dues at last year’s rate.  Anticipating an increase in dues next year, we have also decided to offer a new option—allowing you to pay for two years and guaranteeing your dues rate throughout that period. 

All Premium Memberships of $3,600 and over include Lunch and Learns and Shalom Shabbats throughout the year for your family.

A limited number of paid memberships will receive a commemorative DVD of Bais Abraham’s 113 year history while supplies last.

Basic membership dues are composed of two parts: dues and a building fund, and are listed below:

Members (dues and building fund):

Family- $1000 ($800 dues and $200 building fund)

Associate (dues only) ­for individuals or families which maintain full membership in another synagogue:

Family- $400

Dear Friend,

Thank you for your ongoing support of Bais Abraham.  Enclosed please find an invoice for Bais Abraham Congregation 2008 annual dues. Our shul relies on members’ dues to make possible our programs and learning, and to maintain and improve our historic building.  While we depend on the generosity of our members, we are proud of our longstanding policy that finances do not prevent anyone from fully participating in our community.  If you require special dues arrangements, please do not hesitate to let us know.  We will keep your inquiry confidential and help to arrange a convenient payment option for you. 

This is an exciting time in our Shul’s 113 year history.  Building on Rabbi Abraham Magence’s legacy of openness to all Jews and all people, and under the leadership of our inspiring Rabbi Hyim Shafner, we are attracting new members and instituting new programs and learning opportunities.

Bais Abraham continues to fill a unique niche in the Orthodox community and the larger St. Louis Jewish community.  We strive to combine openness and creativity with in-depth learning and traditional davening. Among the many exciting developments in 2007 were the establishment of our new One-on-One Beit Midrash weekly Torah study night, and establishment of monthly home-based Chavurah groups for study and socializing. We continue our ever-popular Torah on Tap study group at Blueberry Hill in the Delmar Loop, Shalom Shabbats of singing and dancing, meditation hikes, classes, engaging Lunch and Learns, and programs coordinated with the St. Louis Torah MiTzion Kollel. We look forward this year to adding more programs for children, families, and young adults. 

In addition, we are in the process of renovating our historic building to ensure that Bais Abraham will be a comfortable and attractive space in which to pray, socialize, and study for years to come.  This past year we completed the rebuilding of the men’s and women’s restrooms and are now beginning the remodeling of Bais Abraham’s kitchen and lobby. 

If you are not on our email list, please go to www.baisabe.com or send us your email address to subscribe to “The Shmooze,” Bais Abraham’s weekly e-newsletter. This is the best way to stay informed about our programs and services. We also mail to all members our periodic print bulletin “The Shofar.”   If you do not have email access and would like to receive “The Shmooze” by regular mail, please call the shul office and we will be happy to arrange it.

Dues cover membership for a year term that coincides with the secular calendar: January to December.  Billing statements will be sent out quarterly to update you about any remaining balance. While, you may make as many partial payments as needed, with the final amount due by December 31st of each year the shul’s programs benefit from full dues being paid early in the year as possible.  (If you have received this dues statement in error, we apologize and would appreciate if you would let us know on the attached envelope so that we may update our records accordingly.)

B’shalom,

Morey Gardner, President             Lawrence Friedman, VP Development