Through Tzedakah We Make an Impact
Congregation Sons of Israel offers many opportunities for the mitzvah of Tzedakah. Among these are vehicles through which people in special need can be helped, programs serving educational, spiritual and social needs can be assured, and through which social action can be generated in times of community need. Listed below are some of the special funds that translate donations into action. Each serves a different purpose; all are well deserving of your generous support.
You may donate online using your CSI Community Portal account or as a Guest. These include all CSI Funds, Siddurim and Chumashim Dedications, and Kiddush Sponsorship or Kiddush (Yahrzeit Memorial) Fund donations.
All funds available are listed below, along with a description of each fund. Just click on the Fund Name and you will be taken to the donations page. From there, you can still change funds, enter how much you wish to donate, and make dedications.
Thank you for your consideration.
General Operations & Building
Etz Chaim – Tree of Life Fund
The Etz Chaim – Tree of Life Fund is our general fund that helps with CSI's unanticipated, large expenses with approval from the Board of Trustees.
Kol Nidre Appeal
The Kol Nidre Fund is needed for the general operations of CSI. Funds are used where ever they are needed.
Ira Kestenbaum Beautification Fund
The Ira Kestenbaum Beautification Fund benefits beautification projects on the grounds of CSI.
CSI Security Fund
The CSI Security Fund is used to offset various CSI Security expenses. Each guard currently cost $65/hour for FY 2023-24 (with a minimum 4-hours/shift: Sponsor a Shift for $260).
Gilbert Kavy Memorial Building Fund
The Gilbert Kavy Memorial Building Fund contributions are used for building improvements and to help cover unanticipated building expenses.
Memorial Garden Fund
Through the Memorial Garden Fund, bulbs and other perennials are planted in our Memorial Garden. For dedication opportunities, see the Memorial Garden Dedications giving page.
Cemetery Fund
The Cemetery Fund is used for the beautification and upkeep of the CSI Cemetery.
Website Redesign Fund
The Website Redesign Fund will be used to fund the redesign project of the website, modernizing the look-and-feel of the site, and for the continued upkeep expenses of the website.
Kiddush & Prayer Books
Kiddush Contribution
Each Shabbat offers the opportunity to honor the memory of a deceased loved one or to commemorate a special event with a Contribution to our weekly Kiddushim. Your name and the name of the person or people in whose memory or honor you are contributing will be announced from the Bimah and listed in the weekly handout on the Saturday of the specified Shabbat.
Kiddush Sponsorship
CSI offers the opportunity to Sponsor a specific Kiddush and to help plan special foods or themes. Your name and the name of the person or people in whose memory or honor you are contributing will be announced from the Bimah and listed in the weekly handout on the Saturday of the specified Shabbat.
Siddur Lev Shalem
CSI has an ongoing need for new copies of Siddur Lev Shalem, our Shabbat & Holiday siddur. Donations of this type offer you the opportunity to honor the simcha or memory of a relative or friend with a label of dedication that is inserted into each siddur donated.
Etz Hayim Chumash
CSI has an ongoing need for new copies of the Etz Hayim Chumash. Donations of this type offer you the opportunity to honor the simcha or memory of a relative or friend with a label of dedication that is inserted into each chumash donated.
Caring & Community Outreach
Membership Development Fund
The Membership Development Fund is used to support CSI’s programs, activities and outreach efforts that are designed to promote CSI and attract new/retain existing members.
Caring Community
The CSI Caring Community committee provides support to the synagogue community, such as assistance for bereaved families (including food deliveries as needed during Shiva), home and hospital visits, assistance to the elderly or ill (including rides to services, doctors appointments, and shopping). Donations to the Caring Community also support the HaMishpacha program.
Abraham Cohen/Fred Starler Memorial Tzedakah Fund
The Abraham Cohen/Fred Starler Memorial Tzedakah Fund distributes to charitable causes at Passover.
Environmental Fund
The Environmental Fund supports environmentally friendly (green) initiatives at CSI.
Refugee Resettlement Fund
The Refugee Resettlement Committee is working with local, regional, and international agencies, such as HAIS, in considering the next resettlement project.
Memorial Dedications
Memorial Plaque Dedications
Remember your loved ones with a Memorial Plaque Dedication on the lovely memorial wall in the lower social hall. Each plaque is $336, which includes both the permanent/decorative one that will be placed on the wall and the smaller one that we display in the sanctuary on the Shabbat of your yahrzeit each year.
In the Dedication area, please include:
In the Dedication area, please include:
- English Name
- Hebrew Name (transliteration)
- Date of Death
- Time of death (or after dark or during the day)
Memorial Garden Dedications
The CSI Memorial Garden, located at the back of the property and in front of the Organic Farm, is a serene and beautifully landscaped part of our nine acres. There are special opportunities to make named Memorial Garden Dedications in honor or memory of your loved ones.
Youth Activities & Jewish Camping
Jeffrey Dittelman/Robinov Ramah Overnight Camp Fund
The Jeffrey Dittelman/Robinov Ramah Overnight Camp Fund provides assistance towards overnight camp tuition at Camp Ramah in the Berkshires. The emphasis at Ramah is the personal growth of children as Jews.
Zuckerman/Charlotte Hering Ramah Day Camp Fund
The Zuckerman/Charlotte Hering Ramah Day Camp Fund provides help towards day camp tuition at the Camp Ramah at Nyack. The emphasis at Ramah is the personal growth of children as Jews.
Youth Activities Fund
The Youth Activities Fund was established to aid in the funding of the Youth Advisors for both High School (USY) and elementary school Youth Group (Kadima) programs. Also provides scholarships for those children who are in need of financial help to attend regional United Synagogue Conventions or Synagogue Retreats
Education
The Lifelong Learning Fund
The Lifelong Learning Fund supports programming for adult education and learning at CSI. The goal is to ensure that CSI furthers one of the central tenets of Judaism – that devotion to learning be a key part of a person’s life.
Mitzner Family Special Educational Needs Fund
The Mitzner Family Special Educational Needs Fund is used to fund our Lev Program, providing 1:1 shadows, technology, and Special Education training.
Rhoda & Mel Miller Tuition Assistance Fund
The Rhoda & Mel Miller Tuition Assistance Fund is used to help defray costs of the CSI Religious School for families in need of financial assistance.
Jason Eidlitz Holocaust & Antisemitism Fund
The Jason Eidlitz Holocaust & Antisemitism Fund is used by the 2nd Generation Survivor's & Beyond group to fund Holocaust awareness and Antisemitism programming.
Pride Fund
The CSI Pride Fund was established to support LGBTQ+ programming and education as well as related efforts and projects that may arise. The goal is to ensure that CSI continues to be a warm and welcoming environment for all our members and guests.
Organic Farm Fund
The Organic Farm Fund is used for Farm programming and to assist with other projects on the CSI Community Organic Farm.
Rachel Greenstein Children's Resource Library Fund
The Rachel Greenstein Children's Resource Library Fund was established with the goal to enhance our children's learning by providing books and other learning materials for the Nursery School and the Religious School.
Study-in-Israel Scholarship Fund
Once an applicant is accepted or enrolled in a study program in Israel, the student can apply for a scholarship from the Study-in-Israel Scholarship Fund.
Religious School Fund
The Religious School Fund supports the CSI Religious School programs, activities, materials, and other education needs.
Nursery School Fund
The Nursery School Fund supports the CSI Nursery School and help to provide educational programs and materials to benefit our youngest students.
Clergy Discretionary Fund
Rabbi's Discretionary Fund
The Rabbi's Discretionary Fund is used for various charitable and worthy causes, providing assistance to people in financial difficulties, and funding to worldwide and local organizations [at the discretion of the Rabbi].
Cantor's Discretionary Fund
The Cantor's Discretionary Fund allows for assistance to charitable organizations and special music programs [at the discretion of the Cantor].
Wed, April 30 2025 2 Iyyar 5785
