Tzedakah Spotlight

Greetings!

People often tell me that they could not do my job because they would be too uncomfortable asking for money. It isn’t that I love asking people to give, but when you believe in what you’re asking for, like I do, it is much easier. I know that Park could not be the vibrant synagogue that it is without charitable gifts, and I consider it an honor to work with donors, helping them make gifts that are beneficial to the synagogue and meaningful to them.

Ensuring that our synagogue is safe and secure, while providing what we need and want as members is top of mind right now. Dues support one half of the synagogue’s expenses, while donations not only help close the gap, but enable Park to welcome anyone who wishes to belong, regardless of the ability to pay full dues. In addition to security needs, we are committed to enhancing our programming for young families and are constantly looking for ways to enrich our members’ experiences.

We can easily take our synagogue for granted, but it holds a unique and important place in our lives that is sometimes hard to explain. Here’s my attempt…In 2023, our Jewish world turned upside down and unfortunately, the sadness, worry and fear continue. When the world is so scary and unpredictable, we feel comforted that when we show up at Park on Shabbat, Rabbi Skoff, Rabbi Marcus or Rabbi Haim will be on the bima reciting familiar prayers in the same order each week. Cantor Pisman will chant, there will be aliyot and Gadi and congregants will read the Torah portion. There will be life cycle events celebrated including bar/bat mitzvot, birthdays, anniversaries, and baby namings even during a war. We know that we will see someone that we haven’t seen in a while and we will greet each other with hugs, even if it has been years. People we know slightly will ask about our health, our kids or grandkids and we’ll ask about theirs. Maybe we’ll notice someone standing for the Kaddish and we’ll express sympathy for their loss. We feel a little less alone and a bit more hopeful as we leave.

I can’t think of any other place where this is true, and I’m so grateful that I’m a member of Park Synagogue. I may be reaching out to ask for your support, but if you would like to start the conversation, please call!!

Warm wishes,

Carol F. Wolf
Development Director
(216) 455-1324
cwolf@parksyn.org