MEMBERSHIP DUES: INFORMATION & FAQ
Your membership automatically renews each year—no need to submit new forms! Dues payments, however, are not automatic unless you set up recurring payments. The office can help with that!
Our membership year runs June 1 through May 31. We will assess annual membership dues to your Rakefet account each June. We ask that you make at least a partial payment before High Holy Days so we know we can count on your continued participation and support. Please pay at least half your dues by January 1 and pay your balance in full by May 1.
When you make your first payment each year, you will have the opportunity to adjust the amount you pay, either lower or higher:
Dues alone do not cover the true cost of running Beth Shalom, and so we ask that you consider, if you are able, additional ways to generously support our community’s vibrant life — we have outlined these below.
At the same time, finances will never be a barrier to membership. We will always offer dues reduction and installment plans for anyone who may need, including discounts for students.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: How do I pay my dues?
A: Payments may be made online on Rakefet or by check:
To pay online by electronic checking account transfer (no fee) or by credit card (current fee = 2.5%), please log in to RakefetOnline.
If you don’t have access to your Rakefet account or have difficulty using Rakefet, email Chuck Roldan at assistant@bethshalom-bjc.org.
If you would like to come to Beth Shalom to be walked through how to make payments on Rakefet, please email Chuck Roldan at assistant@bethshalom-bjc.org.
Click here for a PDF guide or click here to watch a video tutorial.
To pay by check, make it payable to “Congregation Beth Shalom” and put “Dues” in the memo line. Deliver or mail the check to the office (3750 E Third Street, Bloomington, IN 47401).
Q: How do I set up a payment plan?
A: There are three ways:
Recurring Automatic Payments: Set up an automatic payment plan in Rakefet.
Manual Installment Payments Online: Make a payment through Rakefet and include your total dues amount and payment schedule in the memo line.
By check: Include a cover letter stating your total dues amount and the schedule of when you will make each payment.
Please plan to make your first payment by September 1, at least half of your total dues by January 1, and full payment by May 1.
Q: Can I request dues reduction?
A: We will always offer dues reduction and installment payment plans for any member who may need them, including discounts for students:
If possible, we ask that you try to increase your contribution from last year and pay at least $250 per adult member to help cover the cost of our building and security.
To request a dues reduction, simply make your first payment and tell us the total amount you can comfortably pay for the membership year.
If your financial situation ever changes, you can change what you pay accordingly—just let us know!
Q: How can I give more?
A: Here are further ways to contribute to Beth Shalom’s vibrant life and financial security, with gratitude for your support:
If you are able to give additional funds, simply indicate your total dues contribution in the memo line when you make your first payment or contact our office. Please let us know as well if you would be interested in sponsoring an event or purchase, whether in your name, anonymously, or naming it in a loved one’s honor or memory. We would be delighted and appreciative to talk with you and to work together to bring to life meaningful opportunities for our whole community.
$9,500 covers the cost of the newest phase of our upgrades to Beth Shalom’s technology, offering high-quality video and audio from our sanctuary to our livestreamers in Bloomington and beyond.
$5,000 covers the cost of our Community Seder, which this year hosted over 100 people.
$2,500 covers the cost of hosting a scholar-in-residence for a Shabbat and weekend of learning and festivities at Beth Shalom.
$1,800 covers the cost of one TGI Shabbat dinner, which we host monthly with 60+ participants.
For 2025-26, increasing your dues contribution to $1,500 for a 1-adult household, or $3,000 for a 2-adult household, covers Beth Shalom’s true operating costs per adult member (or, put another way: in addition to dues, a gift of $200 for a 1-adult household, or $900 for a 2-adult household, covers Beth Shalom’s true operating costs per adult member).
Increments of $180 cover purchases of 5 chairs as we replace and upgrade our 200 chairs for the Social Hall.
Increments of $100 cover purchases of chumashim (print copies of the Torah), siddurim (prayer books), machzorim (High Holy Day prayer books), and haggadot for the Seder, which we need to meet growing demand.
Or consider a gift at whatever level you are able!
Q: How can I make a change to my membership or update my information?
A: You can update your contact info and family info (e.g., names, birthdays, yahrtzeits) on RakefetOnline.
If using RakefetOnline poses any difficulty, you can email Chuck Roldan at assistant@bethshalom-bjc.org to request any changes to your membership or information.