CBI Membership Information
FULL MEMBERSHIPS
FAMILY: Such membership shall be extended to married couples and shall entitle each Jewish partner to all membership rights and privileges.
SINGLE-PARENT FAMILY: Such membership shall be extended to an unmarried Jewish adult with minor child or children and shall entitle the adult member to all membership rights and privileges.
INDIVIDUAL: Such membership shall be extended to unmarried Jewish men and women or to the Jewish spouse of an interfaith marriage (without children, or with children who are not being raised as Jews). The individual member shall be entitled to membership rights and privileges (a) (b) (c) (d) and (f).
RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES OF FULL MEMBERS
Subject to the rules and regulations of the Board of Directors, each full member has the following rights and privileges:
a. The right to vote at all annual and special meetings of the Congregation and the right to attend all meetings of the Board of Directors without the privilege of voting at such meetings.
b. To attend divine worship with his/her family.
c. To the services of the Rabbi on all proper occasions.
d. Use of the sanctuary for life cycle events, for himself/herself or her/his children. The use of any other community facilities may incur a small fee.
e. Instruction of his/her children in the religious schools. Tuition is additional. (This privilege does not apply to Individual Memberships.)
f. To the interment of himself/herself, spouse, and her/his minor (until the age of 18 years) children in the cemetery of the congregation.
LIMITED MEMBERSHIPS
DUAL: Such membership shall be extended to applicants who retain a paid-up full membership in another synagogue simultaneously. Such members are entitled to all membership rights and privileges above except (e) and (f).
SABBATICAL: Such membership shall be extended to members, upon application for a change of membership category in good standing who plan to spend a semester or more out away from their residence. Dues are prorated according to the time spend abroad. Such members are entitled to all membership rights and privileges above except (a) and (e).
FORMER: Such membership shall be extended to members in good standing who move more than 50 miles from Northampton and wish to retain their interment rights. Such members are entitled to all membership rights and privileges above except (a) and (e).
STUDENT: Such membership shall be extended to new applicants who are full-time (a) undergraduate students at a local college or university, while they remain dependents of their parent(s) or (b) graduate students at a local college or university (for the first year of membership). Such members are entitled to all membership rights and privileges above except (a) and (f).
Schedule of Fees July 2009 - June 2010
FULL MEMBERSHIPS ANNUAL DUES (statements sent out quarterly)
Family: $1,648
First year only: $1,316
Single Parent Family: $1,340
First year only: $1,072
Individual: $1,092
First year only: $ 876
LIMITED MEMBERSHIPS
Dual/Sabbatical/Former: $488 per adult Full-time Student: no charge
(See membership categories descriptions for limitations. A complete description of rights and privileges of all membership categories is available in the office.)
BUILDING FUND
Every new membership is assessed a one-time charge of $850 payable over five years at $170 per year.
LAND ACQUISITION AND BUILDING EXPANSION FUND
An annual surcharge (7% rounded) on dues is billed to everyone who has been a member for more than five years to re-pay the loan for land acquisition and for future building expansion.
Family: $115 Single Parent Family: $94 Individual: $76 Limited: $34
RELIGIOUS SCHOOL FEES (Synagogue membership is required to enroll in the Religious School.)
Gan, Aleph, Bet (once/week): $ 800 per child
Gimel, Dalet, Zayin (twice/week): $1,100 per child
Hay, Vav (three times/week): $1,225 per child
- Returning students must complete an enrollment form for the 2009-2010 academic year.
- Families new to our Religious School must complete an enrollment form and CBI membership application.
- Payment in full or a twice-yearly commitment (July & November) must accompany the enrollment form.
- If a tuition scholarship is required, the process must be initiated by the time of enrollment.
- Please understand that your child is not enrolled until payment arrangements have been made.
- Failure to settle outstanding tuition bills will delay the start of your child's school year.
Financial Assistance
For those whose financial circumstances require special consideration, an abatement of dues and revised Building Fund payments can be arranged. Contact the CBI Executive Director, Janis Levy, for further information at 413-584-3593 ext. 201 or cbidirector@verizon.net. Please be assured that the procedure is straightforward and confidential. No personal financial information or documentation will be requested. And, no one is turned away from Congregation B'nai Israel for financial reasons.
Membership resignations must be submitted in writing. You are responsible for payment of dues until the date of your written resignation. A Change of Membership Status Form is also available in the CBI office.
Download our Application for Membership