Executive Director

Our TBS community has a lot to be thankful for. Our membership is growing. The registrations in each of our schools are growing. Our endowments are growing. Our mortgage is paid. Our cash position is strong. And our clergy, staff, and faculty are top notch. Our synagogue and our community are thriving. And while there are so many reasons for our TBS community to feel thankful, I feel so grateful for our TBS community – our lay leaders, our volunteers, our congregation at large, and of course our clergy, staff, and faculty.

As we approach Thanksgiving, we start to enter a season of giving, a "Season of Tzedakah". Giving Tuesday is on Tuesday, December 2^nd, Hanukkah begins on Sunday, December 14^th, and with the end of the (secular) calendar year on the horizon, many individuals start to plan for their year-end giving.

As you consider making year-end gifts for organizations, we would like you to consider adding TBS to your list. Perhaps you would like to contribute to one of our many funds that you find meaningful. At this time of year, many individuals consider year-end charitable contributions, not only in the spirit of giving, but to help offset their tax liability. As always, your donations to TBS are greatly appreciated and are used in many ways to enhance our synagogue.

Some congregants choose to pay their dues in full or pay down their building fund balance to help offset their tax liability. Others choose to donate their required minimum distribution from their IRA to TBS. Some congregants choose to donate to TBS through the contribution of stock. This is a very attractive year-end tax-savings strategy. Donating appreciated stock can increase your tax benefit. If you donate an appreciated security that you have owned for longer than one year, you will avoid paying the capital gains on the sale. In addition, the gifted stock allows you to potentially deduct the entire value of the donation on your tax return. Stock donations can also be applied towards various areas of financial obligation to the synagogue. An end-of-year charitable contribution to TBS is a wonderful opportunity for all of us to lessen our tax burden and provide a valuable donation to our shul. A new tax law is going into effect next year which may impact the timing of when you want to make your charitable contributions. For tax advice, please consult your tax advisor.

Regardless of whether you choose to contribute because we are entering a “Season of Tzedakah,” or because you want to get that year-end tax deduction, we are grateful. If you cannot give today, please consider a gift for the future through the Life & Legacy program. If you would like to learn more about Life & Legacy, or how you can make a donation to Temple Beth Sholom through the contribution of stock, please contact me at rons@tbsonline.org or (856) 751-6663 x218. 

Shabbat Shalom, and I look forward to seeing you in Shul. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, you can always reach out to me at rons@tbsonline.org or (856) 751-6663 x218.

B’shalom,

Ron Safier

Executive Director