Chochmat HaLev is made up of members who give generously of their financial resources and their time to create our community. Our membership is diverse in income. In recognition of this fact, we have created a new membership structure for the 2010-2011 membership year, which begins July 1, 2010. This membership structure is based on a Fair Share model that will not only help us meet our needs better, but will be more inclusive of all our members.

The chart below will help you estimate the Fair Share amount for each adult in a household who wishes to join as a member, the amount we need to receive from each person for Chochmat HaLev to thrive. If there are two adults in a household joining, please look up the combined income for the pair to determine your dues. (However, the minimum amount due for a pair is $720). The dues are the same regardless of whether there are children in the household.

This Fair Share model is based on a percentage of your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI), which is found on your tax form. The Fair Share cost for your membership is calculated by subtracting $10K from your AGI, and then calculating 2% of the remainder, with a minimum dues amount of $360 per individual or $720 for a household with two adults. For example, if your AGI is $37,000 then subtract $10,000 from your income, leaving $27,000. 2% of this is your dues, or $540.

Members are also asked to give at least ten hours per year in service of our community. Those unable to volunteer may contribute an additional $100, though time contributes more towards our goal of building community.

If you are experiencing serious hardships in your life, please use your own judgment in determining the dues level that is right for you, giving as generously as you can. Those with greater time and ability than funds may volunteer more hours in lieu of full dues. If you need to join at amounts lower than minimum dues levels, please contact the office.

Likewise, if you find yourself able to give more than the listed amount, please do. Your additional donation will make a tremendous difference.

In any case, when considering membership, please weigh carefully the value you receive from spiritual community as compared to the value you receive from your other expenditures. You may want to look at your budget and consider the amount you spend on eating out, convenience snacks, movies, gym membership, and other expenses. All these things are certainly valuable and improve life. And it's good to evaluate from time to time how much of our budgets they make up, and whether that really reflects our values. For instance, if I spend twice as much eating out as I do supporting our spiritual community, does that mean I really value the convenience of restaurant meals twice as much as the spiritual nourishment I get from my Shabbat practice and meditation?

The Benefits of Membership

• 30% discount on classes, events, and spiritual direction groups.
• Attend the annual membership meeting and vote on the Board of Directors.
• Participate in our Chavurah programs for free.
• Members have the option of personal consultations with Rabbi SaraLeya on rabbinic matters.
• Members may request Rabbi SaraLeya to officiate at community blessings or life-cycle events, subject to her availability.
• One free individual spiritual direction session with Laura Goldman.
• Significantly reduced rates on facility rentals.
• Exclusive option to enroll your children in our new B'nei Mitzvah program.
• Greatly reduced tuition in our new Hebrew School.
• Free High Holy Day Tickets: A Family Membership includes two FREE adult tickets, and up to two FREE teen tickets for the High Holy Days. Single Membership includes one FREE adult ticket and up to one FREE teen ticket.

Of course, these are only the tangible benefits of membership. The benefit of helping to ensure that Chochmat HaLev will still exist to support your spiritual growth and joyful Jewish celebration for many years is also yours free of charge!

Responsibilities of Membership

• Membership is a Year-Long Commitment
  Chochmat HaLev depends on members fulfilling a commitment for one full year. We can only offer free High Holy Day Tickets to members who pay the full membership year, from July 1 through June 30th. Whether you sign up and pay your membership fee at once or in monthly installments, please understand that you commit for the full membership year from July 1 through June 30. Membership dues will only be prorated for those who do not receive the free holiday ticket offer.
• If You Need to Cancel Your Membership
  If your financial situation changes and you must cancel your membership, it is your responsibility to notify us in writing. Emails can be lost, and even phone messages can be misrouted. Please send us a letter by the first of the month for which you would like us to stop your monthly membership payment.
• If Your Payment Information Changes
  If you make your membership payments monthly rather than annually, please let us know immediately if your credit card or checking account information changes. You can call the office at 510.704.9687.
• Volunteer
  Please engage with Chochmat by helping out in the office, at events, at Shabbats, in the garden, or around the building. We are all grateful to our dedicated volunteers who have given so much of their time—let's avoid burnout by sharing the work! It's more fun that way. All members are asked to give 10 hours per year of their time.

If you have questions or concerns about membership dues, please contact:
Jeff Fry jeff.fry@gmail.com
510-207-0224, or
Hank Obermayer hobermayer@igc.org
510-601-7539

Please Click Here for the Downloadable Form! The Membership form must be completed, signed, and returned to the office. If you cannot print the form, please contact Chochmat at 510.704.9687 and we will mail you one. At the present time, we do not offer complete online registration. Thank you for your support!

You can also support Chochmat at no cost to you through eScrip. By registering your credit or debit card with eScrip, each time you shop, a percentage of your purchase will be donated to Chochmat (by participating merchants). For the eScrip form, please Click Here.

We'd love to talk to you.

If you have any questions about Membership,
Please feel free to email us, or call us at:
frontdesk@chochmat.org
510.704.9687 or:
US Toll-free 888.383.HEAL(4325)