Faced with Financial Shortfall, Temple Leaders

Temple Micah entered its current fiscal year in the black after many members responded to a plea made at the annual meeting and, prior to July 1, paid their back dues. However, the temple's 2009 budget remains awash in red ink.

Between the annual meeting on June 1 and the beginning of the new fiscal year a month later, members paid $68,000 of the $85,000 owed on 2008 dues, said Treasurer Joel Aronson. Together with 2009 dues payments made before the beginning of the fiscal year, that permitted the synagogue to begin its year with a clean slate on a cash basis.

However, the 2009 budget projects a deficit of more than $86,000, anticipating spending of $1.33 million and income of only $1.24 million, Aronson said.

"The numbers are not pretty," Rabbi Zemel said bluntly in his report to the congregation at the annual meeting. "The problem is not that we are over-budgeted--we are under funded. This is not a happy situation for any of us."

The rabbi went on to suggest that the deficit could be wiped out if--on average--each member household increased its dues by $200.

"While some families are not in a position to do so, others can contribute far more," Aronson added.

Non-payment of dues has become a significant problem, Aronson said. In addition to the $17,000 still outstanding for 2008, more than $12,000 in back dues remain owed from 2006 and 2007. Meanwhile, $102,000 was owed in unpaid capital pledges.

Payment of dues pledges is crucial to the continuing viability of the temple because dues account for 73 percent of the congregation's income. By far the largest expense--76 percent of the budget--goes to pay staff.

"Every dollar in dues currently goes to pay the salaries of those who make Temple Micah special," Aronson said. Even after the building addition is complete, mortgage payments will consume only 8 percent of the budget and utilities 4 percent.

Religious school fees have been increased for Sunday-only students from $350 to $450, but tuition still pays just two-thirds of the religious school budget. The congregation subsidizes the rest. "It is the obligation of all of our members to educate our youth," Aronson.

"We strive to be an exceptional congregation. We are, in fact, an exceptional congregation," Rabbi Zemel said at the annual meeting. "We cannot continue to be who we are without greater revenue. This is a simple fact."