Even in Paradise, it is not good to be alone.
Yiddish proverb

Your membership in Temple Beth Shalom represents a commitment to the following mission statement:

Congregation Temple Beth Shalom commits to nurture and celebrate our connection with God, to cultivate a love and understanding of the Jewish heritage, and to strengthen community through the wholehearted practice of Tikkun Olam, the repair, healing and transformation of the world.

How can Temple Beth Shalom meet my needs?
It is our hope that you will be an active participant in our programs and services, celebrating with us on holidays, educating your children in our preschool and religious school, taking advantage of our educational opportunities, volunteering your time to help us and others, supporting our goals financially and spiritually, and living ethically in the world.

Our Social Hall, Sanctuary, and Meditation Garden are available for your life cycle events and celebrations. For a schedule of costs, you can contact the office at 982-1376. The Mitzvah Corps is there to help when you are ill. The Chevra Kadisha can help you to prepare a loved one for burial. The Rabbi is available as a source of strength and guidance in times of trouble.

Each household is entitled to two adult tickets for High Holy Day Services. Children are included in the household membership through their college years. Members regularly receive our monthly bulletin, annual calendar, and invitations to all Temple events.

What are my obligations?
It is Jewish tradition to assess the community according to the means of each individual. We ask that you pledge an amount consistent with our minimum dues requirement but compatible with your own circumstances.

It takes an average of $1200 per year to provide our level of services to each household, no matter how that household is constituted: singles, one or two parent families, retirees, etc. However, no one will be turned away on the basis of their ability to pay. If dues relief is required, please let us know. Naturally, we hope that you will choose to contribute as much as your circumstances permit.

When you join Temple Beth Shalom, we ask that you affirm your responsibility, as Jews have always done, to add the fruit of your efforts to the support and maintenance of our gathering place and sanctuary. In fact, our bylaws require such an expression of support. (3.6 d: "All members of the congregation shall make a donation &/or pledge to the Building Fund as such fund may be defined by the Board of Trustees from time to time. New members shall make the donation &/or pledge within the first 14 months of acceptance to membership. All pledges must be paid over a period of not more than 5 years from the date of the pledge.") It is our hope that you will reach into your heart and make a Building Maintenance Fund pledge of $1800 to be paid over the next 3 years. Part-time members paying half dues are asked to consider a pledge of $900. All those pledging $2,000 or more will be invited to put their names or the names of their loved ones on our tile wall in the main sanctuary. As with dues, your financial situation will be taken into consideration. Adjustments may be discussed with the administrator or the building fund committee.

We require that you sponsor or co-sponsor at least one Oneg Shabbat each year and that you meet your financial obligations promptly.

In asking for your fiscal responsibility, we are acting in accordance with principles supported by the Union for Reform Judaism. A complete membership packet is available upon request: membership information

What if my spouse is not Jewish?
Welcome to the world of Reform Judaism! Of our 350 family units, easily one third are intermarried. We invite all interfaith families to participate fully in the life of our congregation and hope that they will decide to raise their children in the Jewish faith. There is more to be said on this subject than can be summarized here. If you have questions or concerns, please call and speak with our administrator or a member of our outreach committee. Our doors are always open.

What is the Union of Reform Judaism?
The Union of Reform Judaism is the central organization of the Reform Movement in Judaism. Its mission is to provide vision, leadership, and programmatic support to Reform Jewish congregations and to perpetuate and advance Reform Judaism. The Union seeks to foster the vibrancy of Reform Judaism through Torah (lifelong Jewish education), avodah (worship), and gemilut chasadim (the pursuit of justice, peace, and deeds of loving-kindness). The URJ supports the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion which trains the rabbis, cantors, educators, and other professionals essential to our religious community. Finally, the URJ is supportive of the State of Israel and the Jewish people and works to develop Liberal Judaism worldwide under the auspices of the World Union for Progressive Judaism.

In exchange, URJ member congregations are assessed dues in accordance with their size, their expenses, and the nature of their programs. As you support us, so we support them.

Can I join at any time?
Yes. The TBS fiscal year runs from July 1 through June 30. If you purchase tickets for High Holy Days at a non-member rate and then decide to join within 60 days, the cost of the tickets can be applied to your annual dues. Dues may be prorated depending on when you join.

What if Santa Fe is not my primary residence?
Those who live in Santa Fe or Northern New Mexico six months or less annually and do not consider Santa Fe or Northern New Mexico to be their primary residence and/or those who belong to another Jewish congregation at their primary residence are eligible for part-time membership. This provides all the benefits of membership exclusive of the right to vote at congregational meetings. Part-time members will also be responsible for a building maintenance fund contribution.

What is Temple Beth Shalom doing to insure its financial future?
Because we care deeply about our synagogue today, we have had the foresight to plan for tomorrow. The Temple Beth Shalom Foundation, a tax-exempt charitable organization, was established with the sole purpose of managing Temple Beth Shalom's endowment. It is a goal of the Foundation to create designated funds which will underwrite important areas of Temple life, such as rabbinic leadership, religious school, the community Passover seder, prayerbook acquisition, the maintenance of our Torahs, and adult education, to name but a few.

Temple Beth Shalom encourages its members to consider the Foundation when doing estate planning. We hope you will discuss the various opportunities for both current and deferred charitable gifts with your financial advisors. These gifts can preserve your wealth, lower your estate and income taxes, and perpetuate your Jewish values.

Can I receive the bulletin and adult education catalog without joining immediately?
Yes - $35 per year will put you on our mailing list. This is a great way to get to know us or a great way to keep in touch if you move away from Santa Fe.

Please call our office for more information. We are available to answer your questions between 10 and 3, Mondays through Fridays, at (505) 982-1376. Or use our email address. Our doors are always open to visitors. We are located at 205 E. Barcelona Road in Santa Fe. Please consult our map page for more detailed directions.