membership

We are so glad that you are considering or have decided to become a Member of the Shtibl. We know that it is NOT an easy thing to find a spiritual community that feels like the right fit; if Shtibl feels like it might be the right place for you, please come in and make yourself at home!

The Shtibl Minyan is an entirely lay-led religious community. Every service, every educational activity, and every social justice event is entirely planned and executed by our members. All of us bring different skills and talents, directed towards the common aim of building and maintaining a sacred community.

In most American synagogues, individuals become members by paying dues. At Shtibl, we have decided to ask our members to primarily contribute their time and their talents.

Shtibl has a two-tiered membership structure:

Members: Members view Shtibl as their primary prayer community. They interested in being a part of decision-making at members meetings. They attend davening on a fairly regular basis and make regular contributions to support the viability of the community and its activities. The responsibilities of Members are:

• Contribute your time or talent to Shtibl (from the list below) 2-3 times per month on average
• Attend at least 3 members meetings per year (out of 6 meetings annually)
• Commit to performing at least one "leadership-level" activity per year (such as coordinating a holiday or event)

Associate Members: Associate Members are interested in being a part of the Shtibl community, but are not prepared to make the commitment to full Membership. This may be the membership level for people that are affiliated with other congregations, or who are new to the community and are still checking it out. They are invited to attend and contribute at Members' meetings but do not vote. The responsibilities of Associate Members are:

• Contribute your time or talent to Shtibl (from the list below) 4-6 times per year

Financial contributions: As a community, we primarily value our members' contributions to making our services and activities happen, rather than simply paying dues. Money is never a barrier to membership in the Shtibl Minyan. However, we do need financial support to remain viable. We have regular costs (such as rent and childcare) totalling approximately $13,000 per year. Based on our current size, this works out to about $300 per adult. Please consider making a financial contribution, commensurate with your ability, to support the Shtibl's continued existence. Contributions of all sizes are welcome and greatly appreciated.