Be a part of BSKI

As we look to the New Year and the opportunities ahead, I invite each of you to think about how you can incorporate BSKI into your very busy lives. Whether it’s dropping by for morning minyan on your way to work, attending a new educational or social event, volunteering on a committee, or honoring a loved one through a tribute, I encourage you to think about just one new thing you can do this year to make a difference in your everyday life. In case you need some help with this, I’ ve got a few secrets to share about how we can support BSKI, ourselves, and one another through everyday giving and volunteering. 

Have you ever wondered how all those names and funds get listed in the Shofar? Or what those funds are all about anyway? How about the Tree of Life leaves in Founders Hall— how do they get there? And the lights in the back of the Zorensky Chapel and Sterneck Memorial Room— why are they illuminated on different days?   

Now, it's not Passover, and those weren' t the four questions.  So, I'll let you in on the secrets of giving at BSKI— and how you can put them to use in your everyday life.

All of these programs are designed for you— so you can honor and acknowledge simchas, milestones, or sorrows in an easy, meaningful and inexpensive way.  It's a way to let fellow congregants know you're thinking of them whether they are a close friend or casual acquaintance.  And as an added benefit, your acts of loving kindness contribute to the financial well-being of BSKI.  That enables us to keep our doors open for worship, education, celebration, community activities, and ultimately, for you.   

Like most synagogues, our dues and tuitions do not cover all of our day-to-day operating costs.  We rely on fundraising to close the gap and keep ourselves solvent. So here's the next part of the secret. At BSKI, we have programs you can use to support your everyday needs while benefiting BSKI too.

Here's the inside scoop: 

BSKI Funds— We have 23 different funds to help you honor special occasions or achievements of family & friends according to your personal passions. And, her 's a little known fact: you can make a donation starting at $5. A card will be sent out on your behalf and lo and behold, an acknowledgement will appear in the Shofar! A quick call or email to the office, or visit to our web site (www.e-bski.org), is all that is needed to trigger the process. 

The next way to give is through our Everyday BSKI Programs. Just about every day, don't you find yourself running to the grocery store (our Scrip program includes Dierbergs, Whole Foods, Kohns and more), searching the Internet, or buying a gift for someone? When these needs arise, our BSKI Everyday Programs are here for you. The best part is they don’t require any extra effort or spending on your part, yet they benefit BSKI tremendously. 

The same goes for grocery shopping at Schnucks. All you have to do is designate BSKI on your Scrip Community Card and swipe it at checkout. $100 per week in groceries per family could equal about $15,000 per year to BSKI for free! 

And, why not shop at the Sisterhood Gift Shop? Its convenient and our prices are lower than other retailers! Best of all, all profits go directly to BSKI. Not only do we sell the latest Judaica but we carry jewelry and gifts for all occasions. If there is something you need and don't see it, just ask!
Here are a few more secrets. Did you know that you can rent our Social Hall, Multi-Purpose Room, or a classroom for your party or meeting at a very reasonable rate? All you have to do is contact the office and/or our very own Kosher Katering committee and we will get you set up.

The third set of programs we call “Forever BSKI” because they make your B'nai Mitzvah, Confirmations, graduations, anniversaries and other milestones a permanent addition to our beautiful synagogue. By purchasing a Leaf on the Tree of Life, or a Memorial Plaque to honor a departed loved one, you're adding to our community and doing a mitzvah for BSKI. The BSKI office will be more than happy to help you with your dedications.

So, now you know the secrets of everyday giving at BSKI, and here's the good news … this isn't a secret you need to keep. Put this one on the rumor-mill and let it rip! The more we all use these programs, the more we honor loved ones and support our wonderful shul. The stronger we are financially, the stronger we can be for you as a community.    

We’re blessed and thankful for the 24/7 commitment of our superb clergy and staff. Rabbi Mordecai Miller inspires us in services and life events. Harvey Leader, Meir Zimand, Jeanne Gaska, and Raisa Gunin ensure BSKI runs like a top and stays a warm and stimulating home for everyone. Our maintenance staff headed up by Matt Pellerito keeps our synagogue ready for use. Virginia Horowitz, our Family Educator, and Aaron O’Brien and Michael Schachter, our USY Youth Advisors, are available to support our young families.

We know that all these individuals are super-heroes, but how do they do it all? With the support of our incredible volunteers. However, we need more volunteers to support these individuals. Because, together, we make BSKI the vibrant, warm, and intimate center for Jewish life that we all love, want and need so much.   

At BSKI, our diverse committees run the whole spectrum. If education and children are your passion, get involved with our Adult Education, Religious School, or Youth Committees. If you’re a numbers person, try the Budget and Finance Committee! If you're handy or artistic, consider Building and Grounds or Beautification. If you're a people person, a creative and strong communicator, Membership, Marketing and PR, or raising funds for BSKI may be right up your alley. Or, if you're spiritually driven and love social outreach, Ritual, Social Action, or Israel Action Committees may be your niche. And, if community service and being part of a social organization with your peers gets your juices flowing, our Men's Club and Women's League provide an opportunity for friendship and camaraderie within our community.   

There's something for everyone at BSKI. If you haven’t been involved before, we ask you to consider making just one commitment of time to volunteer somewhere this year. Follow your passion. If you're already involved, maybe add just one more project or expand your talents to a new area. Share your professional background or decide to do something totally different to give yourself a break. Volunteering is an opportunity to spread your wings and do something you want to do, rather than have to do, and gain a new life experience. 

And I'll let you in on the last secret … it's not really about the job you do to support BSKI. It's about the value and the satisfaction you get from being an active part of our community. It's about the friendships and relationships that become a part of your everyday life. It's about giving back when and where you can that feels so good.

I leave you with this thought and quote. “The state of mind which enables a man to do work of this kind is akin to that of the religious worshiper or the lover; the daily effort comes from no deliberate intention or program, but straight from the heart.” –Albert Einstein

B'Shalom
Ricky Kodner