Letter from Gordon Graham, Chairman, Jewish Journeys

Dear Friends,

We’re writing to give you an overview as Jewish Journeys Ltd enters its second year of outreach and to invite you to become a member of our organization.

Our goal in founding Jewish Journeys was to enable Rabbi Don and Clara Levy to continue their outstanding support to Jewish life in Queensland which they initially provided during their tenure at Temple Shalom. 

Due to the size of our group we couldn’t support the retention of a full-time rabbi. Instead we agreed to create a Jewish Outreach structure which would give Rabbi Don and Clara the flexibility to serve the greater community whilst building interest for what they had to offer. 

As you are aware there were a number of challenges along the way.  Each one of you has contributed to make our goal a reality: including Rabbi Don and Clara, Board of Directors, donors and of course all who avail themselves of our programs.  We enjoy the services, socials, classes and synergy and creativity that go into them.  We have witnessed a real community developing and wish to see it continue to strengthen and endure.

Upon inception Jewish Journeys has operated on a pay-as-you-go basis:  if you attend a service or class or require a personal service from the Rabbi, you pay a nominal fee.  Rabbi Don’s reasoning for proceeding on this basis was clear.  We were starting from nothing and needed to generate revenue to begin operations and start growing.

Now that Rabbi Don and Clara have had their visa extended to remain in Australia, this is an opportune time to take our next step in consolidation.  The Jewish Journeys Board of Directors has now decided to actively recruit members from among those who most benefit from our outreach. 

If you are touched by our work, we invite you to become a member of Jewish Journeys. 

1.     Regular or Associate Membership subscriptions are AUD $1200 per year ($100 per month). 
Those who are Jewish will be offered Regular Membership whilst non-Jews will be offered Associate Membership.  The only difference is that Regular Members will receive voting and office-holding rights.

2.     Two adults living in the same household can take membership at the Sustaining or ‘Chai’ level for AUD $1800 per year ($150 per month).  The only difference between Regular and Chai memberships is that the latter include voting and office-holding rights for two adult Jewish members in the same household.

3.     We are also offering Eternal, or ‘Double Chai’ memberships.  They include all the benefits of Regular/Associate and Chai memberships, voting and office-holding rights for two adult Jewish members in the household, plus attendance at any classes at no extra cost.  Subscription for Double Chai Membership is AUD $3600 per year ($300 per month).

Apart from voting rights, the tangible benefits of membership are several. 

·       At any level, Members and members of their household and guests can attend regular Shabbat services – Friday evening and Saturday morning – without paying additional fees.  However, we will ask members to pay additionally when attending special services, especially where meals are served. 

·       Members will receive discounts for classes, and person-to-person pastoral services are included.

·       To attend services (along with members of your household and guests) without paying each time, makes the Regular/Associate Membership pay for itself.  The benefit to Jewish Journeys is a more steady revenue stream, and having a way to get those most touched by our work more invested and involved in what we do.

·       Double Chai Members and their immediate family attend all classes and most special services for no additional cost.

Application for Memberships is easy:  application forms are available at all programs. 

Method of payment is optional: 

One-off or monthly
By cash, cheque, bank transfer.  EFTPOS/debit/credit (Mastercard or Visa) is also available.

You may be questioning why are we asking a larger financial commitment in return for membership than Jewish congregations in the area?  Membership subscriptions of those congregations amount to little more than ‘token’ fees.  These bear little relationship to the actual running costs of their organizations.  They all have accumulated substantial bank balances, the result of generous donations and legacies over decades of operation.

You do not need to feel compelled to take up a membership and are welcome to continue attending and paying/donating casually as you enjoy our services.   

As we approach the High Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, we ask that you prayerfully consider taking up membership in Jewish Journeys as a way of partnering with us to strengthen Jewish Life in Southeastern Queensland.

Best regards and thank you in advance,

Gordon Graham

Chairman