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In the summer of 2019 BJBE transitioned from a traditional dues model to our Shared Sacred Partnership, a self-directed membership program that allows our members to determine how they want to support BJBE. Instead of paying assigned dues amounts, each household is given the freedom and responsibility to consider an annual commitment that is meaningful and affordable, and that will support BJBE’s annual financial needs.

Background on BJBE’s Shared Sacred Partnership

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2 A commitment to community. We work to remove financial barriers to membership to improve

retention, increase engagement, and attract new families through a self-directed model.

3 A commitment to streamlining requests. Our Shared Sacred Partnership commitment

bundles together our membership commitments and annual giving. This means fewer distinct

financial requests.

A commitment to meeting members where they are. We invite our members to reflect

on what would be affordable for their households; what would be a meaningful

commitment, a gift of the heart; and what will support BJBE's financial needs. We trust that

each household will do what is right for their family and what is right for BJBE.

This model embodies three commitments:

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Why We Made This Shift

We believe, and other synagogues have discovered, that by allowing members to self-direct their membership commitment, they will feel more engaged and have a stronger sense of ownership in the synagogue’s well-being. We are confident our new model is transforming our members’ relationships with BJBE, becoming less transactional and more thoughtful, meaningful, and holy. The end result is a stronger, more engaged community supported by a sustainable annual revenue stream.

How We Made This Transition

From beginning to end, the launch of the Shared Sacred Partnership was volunteer-led, which was (and

will be) a key to our success. This approach included:

Research We empowered a task force to review the findings of two studies that examined 70 congregations that had adopted non-traditional membership models. The task force also conducted its own study of 15 of these congregations, which included detailed conversations with their leaders and a review of written materials. This research informed our decision to move forward with the model.

Listening Sessions As we were shaping our new model and its messaging points, we hosted listening sessions, facilitated by congregational leaders, to hear early reactions from members about our new model.

Volunteer Ambassadors A small group of volunteers met with members to explain the new membership model and inspire generous commitments from the heart. We also conducted phone-a-thons to reach every BJBE member.

Webinars and Roundtables After we launched the new model, we hosted a series of in-person roundtables and online webinars to educate the congregation and answer questions. These sessions were also led by congregational leaders.

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By every measure, the SSP was a resounding success. Learn about 2019-20 SSP by the numbers:

Report on First Year Shared Sacred Partnership Commitments:

All members submitted a commitment

100% Secured more than $2.2M in revenue

via membership commitments, compared to $2.1M in 2018-2019

$2.2M

We welcomed 96 new member households

96 67% Two-thirds of renewing members

increased or maintained their financial commitment level

“Being retired, the SSP is wonderful because it allows people on fixed incomes to remain members while still retaining their dignity and not having to ask for consideration. It is an opportunity to show our love and appreciation for the synagogue by stretching our resources and giving at a higher level in order to help BJBE meet its financial needs.” – members for 9 years

“We have been very grateful for the new SSP program. Our decision to 'give from the heart' has made our personal connection more meaningful. We want to be at BJBE with our friends to share in the success and future of our spiritual home.” – lifelong BJBE member

“What BJBE showed with the transition to SSP is that --- while typically it is we congregants who put faith in our synagogue --- here, the synagogue truly put faith in us. We only wish our SSP (commitment) could come nearly as close to giving BJBE what BJBE has given us through community, spirituality, and an overwhelming sense of belonging.” – members for 7 years

“While all other synagogues say ‘you have to pay this to belong here’, BJBE is saying ‘don't give until it hurts, give until it feels good.’ That's the kind of synagogue we wanted for our family.” – members for 5 years

Member Feedback Has Been Overwhelmingly Positive:

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“BJBE’s new SSP breaks down the financial barriers for synagogue membership. We have found an incredibly supportive community and spiritual home within BJBE.” – new BJBE member

Our members come from many North Shore communities, with the largest

numbers coming from Deerfield, Northbrook, Glenview, and Highland Park.

We also have significant numbers of members who live in Buffalo Grove, Lincolnshire, River Woods, Chicago,

Wheeling, Arlington Heights, Lake Forest, and Morton Grove.

Who Are Our Members, Demographically-Speaking?

Age of BJBE head of households* • Under 30 4 • 30 – 39 75 • 40 – 49 271 • 50 – 59 193 • 60 – 69 144 • 70 – 79 192 • 80+ 123 • Unknown 18

*Age listed is that of oldest member in the household 5

We honor and thank our members who contributed generously at or above our recognition levels.*

Schwartz/Dodek Family Marilyn Ernsteen Tracy & Lynn Friend Richard & Barbara Silverman Roy & Karen Splansky

Guardians $18,000 - $35,999

Supporters $5,400 - $7,199

Anonymous Melissa & Ross Berman Diane & Scott Brown Susan & Rich Eggener Sharon Glassner Cynthia & Steven Harfield Beth & Joel Lewis

Celebrating Our BJBE SSP Leaders

Pillars $7,200 - $17,999

Anonymous Janis & Gilbert Bathgate The Berghoff Family The Berke Family The Cohan Family Sandra & Sheldon Cohen Jennifer & Jeffrey Cramer Susan & David Diamond Drs. S. Barry & Carol Eiden and Family Patti & Mike Frazin

Carol & Don Gaines Elissa, Craig, Lauren, and Lucy Goldsmith Steve & Judi Goode Judy & Mel Hecktman David Katz & Barbara S. Schaefter Ronald Klein & Carole Klein-Alexander The Kunz Family Michele & Robert Levine Laura & Tyler Passmore

Elaine & Ronald Prebish Joan & Lee Sacks Robert & Julie Samson Susie & David Selbst Carol & Roger Shiffman Jim & Lynn Silverstein Jeri & Roger Smith Marilyn Tucker Lisa & Steven Weinstock

The Breslaw/Mann Family Greg & Steffanie Pinsky Bonnie & Steven Shlensky and Family Barry & Joyce Simon Elizabeth & Brian Tenner

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Members are recognized here according to their expressed preference on the Shared Sacred Partnership commitment form.

Anchors $3,600 - $5,399 Anonymous (53)

Elizabeth & Andrew Abrams Arthur & Andrea Ackerman Harvey & Sherry Amend Jennifer & Corey Anders Lisa & David Bemoras Karyn & Leon Benson Carol & Michael Berger The Berkowitz Family Stacey Berliner Renee & Mark Bloom Carol & Steve Burton H. Ted & Dale Busch The Carol Family Linda & Byron Chalem Shirlee & Eugene Cohen Harvey Cohen & Janice Alpert Irene & Michael Cohen Rhonda & Russell Cohen The Colwell Family Kim & Bill Colwyn Ryan Daube and Family Jason & Jenn Dubinsky Debbie & Howard Eirinberg Michael & Rachel Erdman Family Dr. William & Janet Ernstein Howard Feldman Jeff & Karen Fine Kevin & Kristin Fine Rick & Sheryl Fischer Adam & Wendy Fleishman Stuart & Kimberly Frankenthal Jill & Louis Freedman Matt & Abby Gagerman David Gass & Luisa Ellenbogen Brenda & Marc Gelfond Jennifer & David Gendel The Gerstein Family Katherine & Adam Glasser Brad & Julie Goldberg Richard Goldberg Irwin Goldfine & Sharon Kabiller Susie & Dan Goldstein

Sharon & Kurt Rogers Michael & Laura Rosenthal Heather & David Rossi Joy Sclamberg & Marc Roy Maureen Wener & Paul Rundell Dana & Brett Salzer Eve & Marc Samson Holly & Ben Schlan Cynthia & Gideon Schlessinger Susan M. Schloss Robbie & Scott Schreiber Efrat & Blake Schulman Jason & Oramai Schwartz Doris & Joe Schyman Lauren & Barry Seiden Michelle & Ron Shade Amy & Bruce Shapiro Marjorie Getz & David Sheftel Diane & Michael Sherman Denise & Sid Siegel Elaine & Steven Silver Mr. & Mrs. Ari Silverman Ira & Laura Singer and Family Ellen & Dennis Slan Marc & Tracy Slutzky Bonnie & David Spangler Phyllis & Bob Steiner Sofiya & Paul Stepankovskiy Sean & Ellen Stiller Donielle & Brian Stutland Lisa & Brian Wagner Merrilee & John Waldron Laura Gingiss Wander & Steve Wander Lisa & David Weinberg Sheryl & Richard Weisberg Susan & Corey Wilner and Family The Wilson Family Harvey & Marla Yellen Andie & Bradley Zamler Franny & Michael Zucker Nora & Adam Zuckerman

Jon & Julie Goynshor Brad & Marla Grabell Andrea & Mark Greenfield Amy & Corey Grabow Dr. & Mrs. Barry Herst Mickey & Wendy Herst Dr. & Mrs. Jason Hertzberg and Family David & Elyse Hochberg Tracey & Dave Horwich Michael B. and Leslie Hyman Iris & David Jacobson Mark & Jane Jacobson Cheryl & Michael Kahn & Family Katherine & Abraham Katz Maureen & Morris Kharasch Jon & Deborah Klinghoffer Laurie & Larry Krupp Nancy Carson & Arthur Lasin Dan & Ruth Levin The Levinson Family Jennifer & Marc Lofman The Metzger Family Jenny & Peter Meyerhoff Lindsay & Bradley Migdal The Jeff & Maureen Miller Family Debbie & John Muller Margo Schwartz-Newton & Joel Newton Helen & Russell Novak Jodi & Mark Oldani Gail & Jim Ostach Mike, Sam, and Matthew Paley Karen & Gerald Pam Ronna & Barry Paul Erica & Steven Pearlman Mike & Felicia Perlman Beth & Dale Primer Daniel & Beth Prystowsky The Rosenberg-Rappin Family Lois & Ronald Reif Karen & Stuart Reif Jill Rhodes Allison & Christopher Rodgers Stephanie & Thomas Rodgers

Looking Ahead to SSP 2020-21

Look for information on how to make your 2020 – 21 SSP Commitment in early June. You will receive a letter in the US Mail and by email in the second week of June.

Plan to attend roundtables (in person and webinars) to discuss SSP 2020 – 21 and to have any questions answered.

Shared Sacred Partnership Commitments due back to BJBE.

Early June June 15 to July 10 July 15, 2020

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1201 Lake Cook Road | Deerfield, IL 60015 www.bjbe.org