Membership FAQs

Mishkan Shalom Covenantal Membership Categories

Approved by the Mishkan Shalom board March 24, 2021, Revised April 2022

One who settles in a community for thirty days becomes obligated to contribute to the charity fund together with the other members of the community. One who settles therefore three months becomes obligated to contribute to the soup kitchen. One who settles there for six months becomes obligated to contribute clothing with which the poor of the community can cover themselves. One who settles there for nine months becomes obligated to contribute to the burial fund for burying the community’s poor and providing for all their needs of burial. Maimonides MT 9:12 

In the fall of 2020, the Membership Team began to consider new membership categories. This initiative was in response to the changes in congregational attendance accelerated by the COVID 19 pandemic and in response to increased on-line offerings and interest from prospective members. In March of 2021, the Mishkan Shalom board unanimously approved these additional on-line member categories in keeping with the Mishkan Shalom Bylaws. In April 2022, the “On-Line Friend” access was further clarified:

Mishkan Bylaws: Section 1. Membership: Any person who is 18 years or older, who seeks to become part of a Congregation committed to the ideals and purposes of this Congregation as expressed in the Mishkan Shalom Statement of Principles, and who is Jewish by birth or choice, the partner of a Jew, or the parent of a Jew may become a full member of the Congregation by making an initial payment toward the established minimum dues. The Board has the authority to establish categories of membership.

Full member (yearly renewal July 1-June 30)

● Welcome to give at any self-assessed level 

● See table for benefits and responsibilities below. 

Online Friend (yearly access (July 1- June 30th)

● People who live outside Mishkan Shalom’s geographic area more than 1 (one) hour away and may or may not be members elsewhere. 

● Receive weekly zoom links. 

● Recommended annual contribution is $180 and up. 

● See table for benefits below.

This on-line friend’s opportunity provides access to those who live outside our geographic area. Commitment to our Brit HaMishkan/Community Covenant and Statement of Principles. Covenantal Membership is required for all, though understandably there are limits or differentiations in volunteer involvement for those only on-line.

• We would like all prospective members to transition to either full membership or online friends.

Do we offer online services and programs alongside in-person offerings?

• Yes, some offerings will remain wholly on-line. Other online access where we are in person will vary.

What is the relation of these new ways of connecting to our annual High Holy Day services and contributions?

• Self-assessed donations to join us for the High Holy Days will remain in place for all concerned in all circumstances and since we do not issue tickets this is invited as in prior years for all participants.