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This is a Remarkable Time for Solel |
We’re Solel. As we turn the page on our rich history, we have a sacred responsibility to ensure that our future is every bit as compelling and rewarding as our past. We have an extraordinary opportunity to revitalize every aspect of our congregational life. The core values that shaped our past— commitment to lifelong learning, passion for social justice, emphasis on participatory worship, unpretentious atmosphere, and love and respect for our diverse community—are the core values that will guide our future. And what better time to begin securing our future than today!
We envision a vibrant future. It is a future that anticipates continuing our tradition of outstanding rabbinic leadership and the possibility of expanding our clergy team. It is a future that provides exciting programming for our congregants that could include interfaith dialogue, stimulating outside speakers, Friday Night Live Shabbats, family learning activities, social justice projects and more. It is a future that makes our home warm, welcoming, up-to-date, flexible, and large enough to accommodate the diverse needs of our Solel family. We can see this future because we have given it a lot of thought. We have asked congregants about what they want and need. We have listened to their ideas. We have considered where we are strong and where we could be stronger. And we are ready to realize our dreams.
That’s Where You Come In
We want and need your support because you are essential to our future.
In the spring of 2007, the Solel Board of Directors made two key decisions. First, the Board approved a vision and detailed plan for the congregation, based upon what they heard from congregants. Second, the Board approved a Campaign for Solel that will enable us to realize that vision and renew for tomorrow. Your gift to the campaign will ensure that our dreams become reality.
Imagine a Solel:
• That is teeming with children and adults of all ages
• Where those who share our congregational values want to become a part of our family
• Where a Center for Jewish Life provides inviting space for coming together, learning, and celebrating
• That engages with the broader Jewish community and the community at large
• That provides new learning opportunities across generations
• Where our welcoming and updated congregational home reflects our sense of identity and purpose.
This is the Solel of our dreams. It’s the Solel we will build through our vision and the Campaign for Solel.
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Making Our Dreams Come True
How Will the Campaign Help?
Our dreams are about programming for lifelong learning and social justice. They are about sacred worship. They are about strengthening our community. They are about renewing our facility. You can help make those dreams come true by participating in the Campaign for Solel. Here is how gifts can help:
1. Endowment for Solel. By expanding the existing Endowment for Solel, we will be able to attract and retain the highest caliber professional staff; ensure superb religious education; make innovative and engaging programming possible for all generations; and hire a program director.
2. Rabbinic Endowment Fund. This new fund will be dedicated to supporting our new rabbi, our rabbi emeritus, and, perhaps, an expanded clergy team over time.
3. Capital Fund. Through this new fund, we will be able to break ground with exciting enhancements to our congregational facility. Our building will have a fresh look. We will create a Center for Jewish Life enabling concurrent programming for adults during Religious School hours and flexible space for meeting. This fund also will enable us to reap the benefits of upgraded technology tools in our classrooms and offices, provide additional public space for life cycle events, and improve accessibility for all congregants—regardless of their physical ability.
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“We need to spread the word about this campaign. We have always been pathfinders, and these renewal plans for Solel are truly inspirational. I continue to be fulfilled by the essential role Solel has played in my life.” -Bud Levis, Past President |
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“I consider myself fortunate to be the President of Solel at such an important time in our history. We celebrate our past as we look to a bright future!” - Coleen Friedman, President, Board of Directors, Congregation Solel |
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“. . . According to Mishna Avot 3:17, ‘if there is no bread, there is no Torah.’ This is our opportunity to secure our future by sustaining our congregational community.” - Rabbi Dov Taylor |
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“We are at the threshold of a very exciting future for ourselves and our children at Solel! The Campaign for Solel powers that future as we are about to engage a new Rabbi, plan an updated congregational home, and consider the possibility of an expanded clergy team. I am thrilled to be a part of it.” - Colleen Kelley, Director and Co-Chair, Rabbinic Search |
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"Since Solel’s founding in 1957, the spiritual, social and educational aspects of our lives have been centered here. Our congregation encompasses home and family to us and life without Solel would be unimaginable. This campaign will show our commitment to the congregation we love and make sure the congregation will be vibrant for future generations.” - Barb Kessler, Past President |
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Our Facility
A very tangible part of our dreams is enhancing our facility. Most importantly, we want to provide a warmer, more welcoming space for our Solel community.
What Can I Do?
Share the excitement about the vision for Solel. Some early donors already have participated. We want you to be a part of that group. Contact a member of the Campaign Cabinet (bottom). Read about updates on www.solel.org or in the Pathfinder. Your participation in the Campaign for Solel will enrich our community and help us all realize our dreams.
We’ve Started. Please Join Us.
We are well on our way. Thanks to several generous early donors, including members of the Board of Directors, we have surpassed the results of any fundraising effort in the history of Congregation Solel. In order to meet our long-term needs, we have identified a target amount of $8.5 million.
This is a new chapter in our history—one of opportunities and dreams. Through the Campaign for Solel, we hope to make those dreams come true. Thanks to generous gifts to date, a search for a part-time Program Director has become a reality. Over the months to come, we will honor Rabbi Taylor for his 25 years of service and we will welcome a new rabbi. With success in the next phase of the campaign, we will be able to break ground on our exciting facility improvements. We are energized about our future and so pleased that you are a part of it!
Renewing for Tomorrow Securing our Future
Please consider the impact your gift could make. If you have any questions, please contact a member of the Campaign for Solel Cabinet:
Harold Chizewer Campaign Co-Chair
Priscilla Kersten Campaign Co-Chair
Dennis Kessler Major Gifts
Ellen Gussin Congregational Gifts
Gay Sigel Congregational Gifts
Sharon Diaz
Coleen Friedman
Ellen Gussin
Betsy Lassar
Wendy Rhodes
Rabbi Evan Moffic
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Solel aspires to be a warm and inclusive
Reform Jewish congregation committed
to lifelong learning, sacred worship,
social justice and the Jewish people.”
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