CSI Giving - Congregation Sons of Israel

Through Tzedakah We Make an Impact

Congregation Sons of Israel offers many opportunities for the mitzvah of Tzedakah. Among these are vehicles through which people in special need can be helped, programs serving educational, spiritual and social needs can be assured, and through which social action can be generated in times of community need. Listed below are some of the special funds that translate donations into action. Each serves a different purpose; all are well deserving of your generous support.

You may donate online using your CSI Community Portal account or as a Guest. These include all CSI Funds, Siddurim and Chumashim Dedications, and Kiddush Sponsorship or Kiddush (Yahrzeit Memorial) Fund donations.

All funds available are listed below, along with a description of each fund. Just click on the Fund Name and you will be taken to the donations page. From there, you can still change funds, enter how much you wish to donate, and make dedications.

Thank you for your consideration.

General Operations & Building

Community

Youth Activities & Jewish Camping

Clergy Discretionary Funds

Kiddush & Prayer Books

Memorial Dedications

Education

General Operations & Building

Etz Chaim – Tree of Life Fund

The Etz Chaim – Tree of Life Fund is our general fund that helps with CSI's unanticipated, large expenses with approval from the Board of Trustees.

Kol Nidre Appeal

The Kol Nidre Fund is needed for the general operations of CSI. Funds are used where ever they are needed.

Ira Kestenbaum Beautification Fund

The Ira Kestenbaum Beautification Fund benefits beautification projects on the grounds of CSI.

CSI Security Fund

The CSI Security Fund is used to offset various CSI Security expenses. Each guard currently cost $65/hour for FY 2023-24 (with a minimum 4-hours/shift: Sponsor a Shift for $260).

Gilbert Kavy Memorial Building Fund

The Gilbert Kavy Memorial Building Fund contributions are used for building improvements and to help cover unanticipated building expenses.

Memorial Garden Fund

Through the Memorial Garden Fund, bulbs and other perennials are planted in our Memorial Garden. For dedication opportunities, see the Memorial Garden Dedications giving page.

Cemetery Fund

The Cemetery Fund is used for the beautification and upkeep of the CSI Cemetery.

Technology at CSI Fund

The Technology at CSI Fund will be used to help fund all the continuing upgrades of technology at CSI, such as the new website, videos of lifecycle events, better WiFi, and much more.

Kiddush & Prayer Books

Kiddush Contribution

Each Shabbat offers the opportunity to honor the memory of a deceased loved one or to commemorate a special event with a Contribution to our weekly Kiddushim. Your name and the name of the person or people in whose memory or honor you are contributing will be announced from the Bimah and listed in the weekly handout on the Saturday of the specified Shabbat.

Kiddush Sponsorship

CSI offers the opportunity to Sponsor a specific Kiddush and to help plan special foods or themes. Your name and the name of the person or people in whose memory or honor you are contributing will be announced from the Bimah and listed in the weekly handout on the Saturday of the specified Shabbat.

Siddur Lev Shalem

CSI has an ongoing need for new copies of Siddur Lev Shalem, our Shabbat & Holiday siddur. Donations of this type offer you the opportunity to honor the simcha or memory of a relative or friend with a label of dedication that is inserted into each siddur donated.

Etz Hayim Chumash

CSI has an ongoing need for new copies of the Etz Hayim Chumash. Donations of this type offer you the opportunity to honor the simcha or memory of a relative or friend with a label of dedication that is inserted into each chumash donated.

Community

Membership Development Fund

The Membership Development Fund is used to support CSI’s programs, activities and outreach efforts that are designed to promote CSI and attract new/retain existing members.

Caring Community

The CSI Caring Community committee provides support to the synagogue community, such as assistance for bereaved families (including food deliveries as needed during Shiva), home and hospital visits, assistance to the elderly or ill (including rides to services, doctors appointments, and shopping). Donations to the Caring Community also support the HaMishpacha program.

Abraham Cohen/Fred Starler Memorial Tzedakah Fund

The Abraham Cohen/Fred Starler Memorial Tzedakah Fund distributes to charitable causes at Passover.

Environmental Fund

The Environmental Fund supports environmentally friendly (green) initiatives at CSI.

Men's Club

You can make a donation to the Men's Club to support any of its activities, such as Torah on Tap, the Yellow Candle project for Yom HaShoah, and many of the behind-the-scenes support that Men's Club does at CSI..

Sisterhood

The CSI Sisterhood supports CSI in so many ways. From sponsoring kiddushim and hosting the Sisterhood Shabbat, to giving us all a way to send Mishloach Manot to each other, Sisterhood is always there. In addition, Sisterhood earmarks funds raised for capital projects, such as beautifying the CSI sanctuary, reupholstering the pews and chairs, purchasing new chairs, new lighting in the Social Hall, and a portable Zoom system for the Chapel and other areas of the synagogue, the CSI Sisterhood makes CSI a better place.

Memorial Dedications

Memorial Plaque Dedications

Remember your loved ones with a Memorial Plaque Dedication on the lovely memorial wall in the lower social hall. Each plaque is $336, which includes both the permanent/decorative one that will be placed on the wall and the smaller one that we display in the sanctuary on the Shabbat of your yahrzeit each year.
In the Dedication area, please include:

English Name
Hebrew Name (transliteration)
Date of Death
Time of death (or after dark or during the day)

Memorial Garden Dedications

The CSI Memorial Garden, located at the back of the property and in front of the Organic Farm, is a serene and beautifully landscaped part of our nine acres. There are special opportunities to make named Memorial Garden Dedications in honor or memory of your loved ones.

Youth Activities & Jewish Camping

Jeffrey Dittelman/Robinov Ramah Overnight Camp Fund

The Jeffrey Dittelman/Robinov Ramah Overnight Camp Fund provides assistance towards overnight camp tuition at Camp Ramah in the Berkshires. The emphasis at Ramah is the personal growth of children as Jews.

Zuckerman/Charlotte Hering Ramah Day Camp Fund

The Zuckerman/Charlotte Hering Ramah Day Camp Fund provides help towards day camp tuition at the Camp Ramah at Nyack. The emphasis at Ramah is the personal growth of children as Jews.

Youth Activities Fund

The Youth Activities Fund was established to aid in the funding of the Youth Advisors for both High School (USY) and elementary school Youth Group (Kadima) programs. Also provides scholarships for those children who are in need of financial help to attend regional United Synagogue Conventions or Synagogue Retreats

Education

The Lifelong Learning Fund

The Lifelong Learning Fund supports programming for adult education and learning at CSI. The goal is to ensure that CSI furthers one of the central tenets of Judaism – that devotion to learning be a key part of a person’s life.

Mitzner Family Special Educational Needs Fund

The Mitzner Family Special Educational Needs Fund is used to fund our Lev Program, providing 1:1 shadows, technology, and Special Education training.

Rhoda & Mel Miller Tuition Assistance Fund

The Rhoda & Mel Miller Tuition Assistance Fund is used to help defray costs of the CSI Religious School for families in need of financial assistance.

Jason Eidlitz Holocaust & Antisemitism Fund

The Jason Eidlitz Holocaust & Antisemitism Fund is used by the 2nd Generation Survivor's & Beyond group to fund Holocaust awareness and Antisemitism programming.

Pride Fund

The CSI Pride Fund was established to support LGBTQ+ programming and education as well as related efforts and projects that may arise. The goal is to ensure that CSI continues to be a warm and welcoming environment for all our members and guests.

Organic Farm Fund

The Organic Farm Fund is used for Farm programming and to assist with other projects on the CSI Community Organic Farm.

Rachel Greenstein Children's Resource Library Fund

The Rachel Greenstein Children's Resource Library Fund was established with the goal to enhance our children's learning by providing books and other learning materials for the Nursery School and the Religious School.

Study-in-Israel Scholarship Fund

Once an applicant is accepted or enrolled in a study program in Israel, the student can apply for a scholarship from the Study-in-Israel Scholarship Fund.

Religious School Fund

The Religious School Fund supports the CSI Religious School programs, activities, materials, and other education needs.

Nursery School Fund

The Nursery School Fund supports the CSI Nursery School and help to provide educational programs and materials to benefit our youngest students.

Playground Fund

After 30 wonderful years of laughter, learning, and play, our beloved playground has served generations of students and now it’s time for a refresh. We’re excited to launch a special Playground Fund dedicated to upgrading this space with new, engaging, and educational features that reflect the needs of today’s children.

The playground is where friendships are formed, imaginations grow, and important life skills are learned.

Additionally, a vibrant, welcoming playground isn’t just a place for kids to play—it’s a powerful way to bring young families into the CSI community and create a strong foundation for the future of our congregation and synagogue. With your support, we can create a space that continues to inspire and nurture every child who steps onto it.

Thank you for being part of our community and helping us build something truly special for the next generation.

** If, for any reason, we’re unable to reach our goal, your generous contribution will still go toward enriching our students’ experiences through other educational programs and infrastructure at the school.

Clergy Discretionary Fund

Rabbi's Discretionary Fund

The Rabbi's Discretionary Fund is used for various charitable and worthy causes, providing assistance to people in financial difficulties, and funding to worldwide and local organizations [at the discretion of the Rabbi].

Cantor's Discretionary Fund

The Cantor's Discretionary Fund allows for assistance to charitable organizations and special music programs [at the discretion of the Cantor].