When considering membership, please weigh carefully the value you receive from spiritual community as compared to the value you receive from your other expenditures. You may want to look at your budget and consider the amount you spend on eating out, convenience snacks, movies, gym membership, and other expenses. All these things are certainly valuable and improve life. And it's good to evaluate from time to time how much of our budgets they make up, and whether that really reflects our values. For instance, if I spend twice as much eating out as I do supporting our spiritual community, does that mean I really value the convenience of restaurant meals twice as much as the spiritual nourishment I get from my Shabbat practice and meditation?

This Fair Share model is based on a percentage of your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI), which is found on your tax form. The Fair Share cost for your membership is 2% of your AGI, with a minimum dues amount of $360 per individual or $720 for a household with two adults. For example, if your AGI is $37,000, 2% of this is your dues, or $740.

Members are also asked to give at least ten hours per year in service of our community. Those unable to volunteer may contribute an additional $100, though time contributes more towards our goal of building community.

If you are experiencing serious hardships in your life, please use your own judgment in determining the dues level that is right for you, giving as generously as you can. Those with greater time and ability than funds may volunteer more hours in lieu of full dues. If you need to join at amounts lower than minimum dues levels, please contact the office.

Likewise, if you find yourself able to give more than the listed amount, please do. Your additional donation will make a tremendous difference.



Responsibilities of Membership

• Membership is a Year-Long Commitment
  Chochmat HaLev depends on members fulfilling a commitment for one full year. We can only offer free High Holy Day Tickets to members who pay the full membership year, from July 1 through June 30th. Whether you sign up and pay your membership fee at once or in monthly installments, please understand that you commit for the full membership year from July 1 through June 30. Membership dues will only be prorated for those who do not receive the free holiday ticket offer.
• If You Need to Cancel Your Membership
  If your financial situation changes and you must cancel your membership, it is your responsibility to notify us in writing. Emails can be lost, and even phone messages can be misrouted. Please send us a letter by the first of the month for which you would like us to stop your monthly membership payment.
• If Your Payment Information Changes
  If you make your membership payments monthly rather than annually, please let us know immediately if your credit card or checking account information changes. You can call the office at 510.704.9687.
• Volunteer
  Please engage with Chochmat by helping out in the office, at events, at Shabbats, in the garden, or around the building. We are all grateful to our dedicated volunteers who have given so much of their time—let's avoid burnout by sharing the work! It's more fun that way. All members are asked to give 10 hours per year of their time. Contact Talya [at] chochmat.org