Dear Members and Friends of CTC:
With tremendous gratitude to Hashem, Congregation Toras Chaim is about to celebrate its third anniversary this coming spring. Our 2009 membership drive began with a CTC roster of only 12 families and finished with 34 families as paid members. I’m so pleased to say that our “little shul that could†is doing more than just plugging along; Baruch Hashem, we’re thriving!Â
 From time to time, I have to ask for extra donations to get us through the leaner months. I think that’s just a reality for all Jewish organizations. But I will say this: my executive board and I have spent much of 2009 focusing on the financial well-being of the shul to ensure that we are not only thriving today as I write you this letter, but that we are planning for the future as well.
Joining a shul is one of the most important connections you can make. A vibrant congregation comes very close to encompassing total Jewish living. It provides the opportunities for Torah (Learning), Avodah (Prayer) and Gemilus Chasadim (Acts of Kindness). It is the setting in which an individual connects with the community.
Be a participant; be an active worker; volunteer yourself with your time, talents and resources to our shul. But, if for whatever reason this is not feasible, become a member nevertheless. Even if passive, you can still express and affirm your desire to feel and be counted as one of the כלל.
On that note, the CTC Board unanimously agreed that we should hold 2010 dues at $700 per family – the same amount as last year. Please speak with me directly if you would like to make individual arrangements for your 2010 dues. Membership dues are “due†by March 1st, and we are offering a variety of payment options. You can simply hand me or Yehudah Palmer your dues payment, mail it to the shul address, or use the online charity box payment module on the Donation Page of our website.
Please review the membership form I have included with this letter on which you will notice one addition: the section offering you the opportunity to invest in the shul’s future by contributing monthly to our land account. Two years ago, we established a separate bank account to pay the monthly mortgage on the land we own across the street from the shul. Over the last few months, many of you have set up monthly contributions to strengthen this account and for that, I thank you. With Hashem’s help, we hope to see the fruits of our efforts in the laying of a cornerstone for our new building on this land in 2010. If you have not already made a monthly commitment to the land fund, now is the time!
Looking forward to a great 2010 at CTC, full of growth and progress.
Best Regards,
Wes Sutkin, CTC President