Designated Funds

Adat Shalom is grateful for donations from members and others to support the rich diversity of programs and activities in our community and also for dedicated efforts that are more restricted in nature.  If you have any questions about how best to support the synagogue through your donations, please contact the office.

General Support. Donations to the Adat Shalom General Fund enable Adat Shalom to determine the areas of most pressing need and provide financial support.

Restricted Funds.  Adat Shalom has 7 Restricted Funds such that donations to these funds support the specific programmatic direction of each fund.

Five Pillars Fund.  Based on a vision articulated by Rabbi Hazzan Emerita Rachel Hersh, this fund supports the 5 Pillars of the Adat Shalom community: Torah and Jewish learning including ritual practice, acts of loving kindness (chesed), our evolving Jewish Identity, and our understanding of God. Donations to this fund support honoraria for teachers, provide meals of comfort following a death in the family; purchase books for new members, provide repair to our Torah Scrolls, fund special educational initiatives and more.

Youth Programming & Education Fund. This fund provides enhancement to our Jewish education and congregational school and provides for extra classroom and experiential education and programming for children from 0-17. This includes support for family education and engagement efforts designed to foster community for our members with children. Funds will support events such as our Hanukkah and Purim Festivals, off-site programs like apple picking and ice skating. These funds enable us to “go above and beyond” our standard level of programming for youth and families.

Tikkun Olam Fund.  A core value of Adat Shalom is our commitment to Tikkun Olam (repairing the world). This fund is designed to supports direct service social action initiatives and advocacy efforts that reflect our core values including the prevention of hunger, homelessness and other pressing challenges facing our global community. This fund will provide support for supplies and equipment related to direct service projects, honoraria for speakers on topics of interest to the community, and support for organizations working to promote our shared goals.

Kulanu Fund. Another core value of Adat Shalom is to make our physical and spiritual space a welcoming and accessible setting for all. These funds will be used to enhance the basic level of accessibility for our members and guests, and include support for programming designed to educate and inform our members about inclusion and its many facets.

Joel Kaufman Library Fund. Donations to the Library Fund support the purchase of books and periodicals on Jewish and related topics and for upgrades to the library itself. The library is an accessible and vibrant setting for classes, independent learning and small group study. A new children’s library has been created to allow our youngest learners to have their own space to explore, question and learn.

Haiti Fund. This fund is for support of the Nouvelle Institution Chretienne de Leogane (NICL) and the work of its founder and director, Pastor Johnny Felix. NICL is an elementary school in Leogane, Haiti. The fund provides money for teacher salaries, tuition, scholarships, supplies and facilities. The fund may also help establish a scholarship fund for graduates of NICL.

Jewish Summer Camp & Program Fund.  Donations to this fund provide support to families who need financial assistance to send their child(ren) on Jewish summer and school-year experiences. There is an application process including a review by Adat Shalom staff to ensure both that the experience is of sufficient Jewish foundation and there is genuine need on the part of the family.

Clergy Discretionary Funds. Adat Shalom Clergy maintain funds that are used to give tzedakah to causes of interest to our clergy and/or supplement Adat Shalom programs and initiatives. The funds may also be used for financial support to families needing temporary help and can be a way to recognize the clergy for support during lifecycle events.