Today is December 22, 2024 -

Congregation Sha'arey Israel

A Conservative Jewish Congregation serving the spiritual needs of the Middle Georgia Jewish community since 1904

611 First Street, Macon, GA 31201
Phone: (478) 745-4571
Email: secretary@csimacon.org

Resources in our Shul

I continue to be amazed at the variety of things we do with our resources!
We are very fortunate to have group of volunteers always willing to pitch in and give 100+% in their efforts!
I am very excited about the training Rabbi and I did with USCJ Sulam for Emerging Leaders- Very interesting ideas, not
just for the Emerging Leaders program, but ideas for our overall membership. More to come on this program in coming
months.

Here are some interesting new ideas:

Streaming of Purim Spiel and some of Rockin Shabbat on Facebook

  • We got great feedback from those who could not attend but who logged on to watch
  • We were surprised at number of “CSI alumni” who watched. We will expand on developing an “alumni” program
    in addition to working on streaming other events

Use of our courtyard for Friday evening services

  • Finally figured out issue with lighting
  • With the weather improving, we’ll work towards possibly having services outside

Be on the look for plans this summer to hold Friday night services in Milledgeville and Warner Robins. Thanks to Ellen
Goodrich for sharing an idea she observed at shul in Savanah. (Keep those suggestions coming as to programming you
see or hear of at other shuls!)

By now I assume you have received notice of increase in dues. Nobody likes to see increases in dues. As noted in the dues
notification letter, we continue to strive to reduce expenses. At some point, you can only cut so far. Your CSI Finance
Committee and Board feel that it is very important that we work with a balanced budget. While we have a strong balance
sheet, we consistently strive to have an operational budget that breaks even. As said in my speech at the High Holidays,
109 family units! That is it. We need your support to maintain our Shul to keep things running as they are.

Evan “Elmo” Koplin