L’Shana Tova to all of you – My name is Betsy Backe and I am grateful to be on your IHC Board of Directors and happy to be here to explain what our High Holy Day Appeal is.

We are gathered here for a family service and KIDS, even though you are not in school today, you might accidentally learn something.

This is an opportunity for everyone to learn a little bit about what it means to belong to IHC.

It is a basic desire for people to want to belong or to be a part of something bigger than themselves.  There are people all around you who want to teach their children about the importance of Judaism and “belonging”.  IHC is one way to help you do that.

It is important to keep the lights on in this beautiful building and we all know that this means more than just paying the utilities.

Many years ago, my children were finished with religious school and I considered not being an active IHC member.    I came to services 2 days a year, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur and I did NOT want to spend the money.

About that time I received a letter from the president of IHC talking about the NEED for money to be able to continue celebrating and providing the services that we receive here.  I had a tremendous paradigm shift when I realized this isn’t just about ME, it is about EVERYONE here and what THEY need.

Our Mission Statement says “IHC is an inclusive Jewish COMMUNITY, where ALL congregants matter, are inspired to action through Jewish values and experience Judaism in a meaningful way.

I realized there is a big difference between “being here” and “belonging here”.

So, what IS the High Holy Day Appeal and why give to it?

This is not about our dues, which we call Gift from the Heart. This appeal is actually ON TOP of the dues.

The goal for appeal money is factored into IHC’s annual budget so, the congregation counts on these funds because dues don’t cover the expense of all the services provided. Here are a few of the highlights that your gift will help with:

-We have over 400 kids in our Early Childhood Center and religious school

-We are blessed with 2 Full time Rabbis and a full time Cantor for times of need and times of joy

– If you think your utility bills are high, think about heating and cooling this place

–  We have a wonderful staff at IHC who work in the office, who keep this lovely space clean, who set up for our celebrations, who operate the schools.  It is these people and many others who keep our IHC congregation running efficiently.

We NEED your help to “keep the lights on”.

So, if you want to do more than “be here”, we invite you to to “belong here” by participating in the High Holy Day appeal.

Please give as much as you can because every dollar makes a difference.  Whether it is $18 or $500 or $5000, please DO IT.

If everyone, who has not participated in the appeal previously, gave something, it would have a tremendous impact on those around you.

Parents, please help teach your kids, and kids, please help teach your parents, the importance of tzedakah.  The happiest people are not those getting more, but those giving more. Thank you for your time and in advance, thank you for your generosity.  L’Shana Tova