The 2021 Annual Fund Appeal preserves our sukkat shlomecha — shelter of peace — keeping us safe from the storms of nature and offering a welcoming center for Jewish study, prayer, celebrations, and culture.
This year’s Annual Fund focuses on two essential areas identified by our Temple Board.
Roof and Air Handlers After 35 years, the air handlers that cool the Sanctuary and the flat rubber roof above the Pamela Shulman Center for Education require replacement due to their age and wear. Upgrading these major systems provides an opportunity to attain energy efficiency, solar potential, and improved ventilation. Your donation to the Annual Fund will pay for the initial phase of this essential multi-year project and help us initiate a capital reserve funding program.
Operating Budget The 2021 Annual Fund will also contribute to the synagogue’s operating budget to help maintain our high-quality programming led by talented personnel.
Your donation, whether large or small, will make a substantial difference in helping us reach our goal of $60,000. If you are able, consider joining the Rabbi’s Circle with a donation of $1,000 or more. Or give $180 to become a Friend. It’s easy to make your 2021 Annual Fund donation either by check or credit card. Send your check made out to Temple Israel, 200 State Street, Portsmouth NH 03801 OR click the donate button to pay by credit card.
Please join us in supporting the future of Temple Israel. Your donation ensures that Temple Israel can continue as a sukkat shlomecha, a shelter of peace — a vibrant center of Jewish life in the Seacoast.
Donor Levels
Friends of the Temple $180-$999
Rabbi’s Circle Levels
Bronze $1,000-$2,499
Silver $2,500-$4,999
Gold $5,000-$9,999
Platinum $10,000+
All donors will be listed in next year’s Annual Report and in the Doorpost.
Friends of the Temple and Rabbi’s Circle donors will be recognized on Giving Wall of Honor, displayed in the Court Street lobby. An additional reception will honor Rabbi’s Circle donors.
Please click below to donate to one of the following funds. Dedication information will be collected.
Temple Israel Annual Fund pays for high-impact projects that are not achievable using income from dues, rental income, and endowment fund interest. Thanks to the community’s generosity, the 2020 Annual Fund raised nearly $90,000 to address special needs caused by Covid-19. Stay tuned for news about the 2021 Annual Fund.
Danielle Harman Fund supports K-12 arts education.
Hebrew School Fund supports educational programming provided by the Religious School for grades K-7.
Israel Experience Fund provides grants subsidizing Israel trips for young people in the congregation.
Library Fund supports the acquisition of books and other media for the Nancy Mae Shaines Memorial Library.
Preschool Fund provides equipment and enhanced enrichment activities for the Early Learning Center.
Youth Group Fund supports staffing and leadership of activities for Grades 4-7.
USY / Gesher Fund supports staffing and leadership of activities for grades 8-12.
Dues Plus / Dues Abatement Fund supports dues adjustments for temple members.
Kiddush Fund supports the meal and beverages following weekly Shabbat morning services.
Music Fund brings in musicians to enhance Temple Israel’s regular religious services, holiday observances, and special concerts.
Prayer Book Fund buys new prayerbooks for use in our temple.
Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund meets community needs as determined by the rabbi (e.g., charitable, educational).
Rabbi Senter Memorial Fund supports projects that benefit the temple, particularly educational and cultural programming. Established in memory of Rabbi David Rafael Senter Z”L.
Tikkun Olam / Social Action Fund supports projects which improve life in the wider community.
Tzedakah / Charity Fund assists members in need and responds to natural disasters.
Building Maintenance Fund supports capital facilities projects and improvements to our historic building.
Landscape Fund supports improvements to the Temple grounds, including hardscape and plantings.
Security Fund supports staffing and infrastructure to protect the temple and congregants.
Each of our three endowment funds has a particular focus. As is usual with endowments, principal investments are untouchable and are invested for perpetuity. Only the interest earned is spent annually. Click on the Endowment Fund title to donate to one of Temple Israel’s Endowment Funds.
The interest on this fund, established in 1988, supports multiple cultural and educational events taking place at the Temple and in the community each year. Recent examples include the klezmer band at Simchat Torah, Community Passover Seder, Break the Fast after Yom Kippur, bus trips to Boston cultural events, speakers at Yom Hashoah commemoration, new member dinner and multiple Sisterhood and Hebrew school events and programs.
The interest on this fund directly supports our Religious School. Substantial growth of this fund may eventually allow our Religious School to be free for all students.
The interest on this fund directly supports the operating budget of Temple Israel. The principal will never be spent. This fund will assure the continued presence of a Jewish community on the seacoast in perpetuity.
Celebrate a joyous occasion by engraving a leaf on either of our two beautiful Trees of Life:
Sanctuary Tree of Life order form
Remember family members with a permanent memorial plaque in the sanctuary.
Submit the Yahrzeit Sanctuary Memorial Lights Plaque order form.
Copies of the new “Siddur Lev Shalem” or “Mahzor Lev Shalem” may be ordered for personal use using our online book order form.
If you are interested in contributing to the congregation’s collection of siddurim and mahzorim, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to our Prayerbook Fund.
Financial-planning experts can show you how estate plans can be structured to earn you substantial income and also support vital Jewish community interests in future decades.
