Membership
Application for Membership 5772
Why join Aish Kodesh?
In 1958, the American Express Card was born. Though it was made of paper, and bills had to be paid in-full each month, membership certainly did have its privileges.
What are you a “member” of? I, personally, am a member of Aish Kodesh, the Tuv Ha'aretz CSA, the chicken coop co-op, the goat co-op, and 24-hour Fitness. The truth is, if someone built an equally good gym that was cheaper, I would join in a flash. And if another Jewish CSA made inroads here, I would certainly consider my options. But if a rogue foodie came into town and started another chicken coop co-op with twice as many eggs for half the price, I still wouldn't leave our co-op. Why? Because I am not really in it for the eggs. I am in it for other reasons. It’s about people and community. I feel connected with—and responsible to—the people who are there. Second, I appreciate the values that go into it; I like the spirit. Third, and perhaps most important, I believe that I can bring my needs and concerns to the Beis Tarnegol (that's the chicken coop co-op) community. If I have ideas or frustrations, I know I can bring them to the group and we could work something out. On the other hand, I've often kvetched to the 24-Hour Fitness people that the showers are not hot enough. They don't seem to care.
When it comes to shuls, we're clearly not just in it for the eggs. If a rogue rabbi came into town and opened up a new shul with cheaper rates, would you join to save a few bucks? I don't think so. Because shul is about connection, it's about values, and it's about interaction and responsibility. We're not it for the eggs.
To be sure, like Beis Tarnegol, Aish members do get our share of eggs. We get to be involved in a warm, welcoming, inspired community with sincere prayer and stimulating learning; a community that is committed to Torah's values and open to everyone. We get to participate in bridging the gap between the Torah's ancient values and the challenges of the modern world. We get to be joyful and serious about our souls and their needs. We get to spend time with G-d, Rebbe Nachman, R' Shlomo Carlebach and many others.
And the Aish Kodesh eggs are improving all the time. This year has seen significant improvement, and there is more on the way. Highlights from this past year include a long-overdue shift in leadership, with Mitch finally getting to step down as President. This was made possible because other people stepped up to join the board. Another amazing advance of this past year was that Mitten was able to go on maternity leave without the shul falling apart! We had amazing volunteers fill in the gaps to make sure bills were paid, Sparks went out, Kiddush was served, and the shul got cleaned. Volunteerism throughout the past year has been amazing. Beyond just maintaining the shul and throwing an amazing benefit dinner, we also had several volunteer-powered smachot – Dovid and Laila's wedding, little Emmet's bris, and sheva brachot for Charlie and Jodi. We even had our first Bat Mitzvah! In addition, stronger board activity and community generosity has allowed us to move the rabbi and his family out of Aish Kodesh and offer them a more reasonable salary.
But, obviously, there is more to it than the eggs. This is a place where good people spend meaningful time. And it is a place where people’s needs and concerns are taken seriously. If you were a member here last year, please join again this year. And if you've never been a member, please consider joining our family this year.
Sincerely,
Rabbi Gavriel Goldfeder
