Membership

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Contact Amy Karp, Director of Engagement to become a Plus Member or increase your Plus membership level.

2025-2026 HEA MEMBERSHIP DUES – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Your ongoing support ensures that our synagogue will continue to provide a meaningful connection to Judaism for you and your family. We are here for all in our community, and no one is ever turned away because of finances. We take this responsibility very seriously and rely on your communication to ensure your affiliation with HEA is welcoming and supportive. 

High Holiday ticket distribution information:

While we are still in the throes of summer, high holiday planning is underway. As in years past, we ask that your current membership dues be paid at least through the first quarter of the fiscal year (through July) and that your past dues and fees be paid in full or adjusted to a comfortable level.

Important information for fiscal year 25/26, which runs from May 1, 2025 through April 30, 2026:

• Credit card convenience fees are included in your credit card payments (see Payment info below)
• eCheck / ACH payments do not incur a service charge
• Payments may be scheduled through the end of the 25/26 fiscal year

• 2025/2026 SECURITY ASSESSMENT: $200
• Payment options
• Credit Card: NOTE:  Credit card fees will be included in your credit card payment
• eChecks / ACH DO NOT incur transaction fees

•    How to set up scheduled dues payments:
  • Log into your ShulCloud account – www.headenver.org
  • On the top right of the ShulCloud login page, click on My Account
  • Go to Pay My Bill
  • Click on either Account Balance or Donation for payment type
  • Enter Amount
  • Under Pay This Amount, choose the number of payments
  • Under Pay This Amount, choose the frequency of payments
  • Length of payments may be made within 12 months (i.e., two payments every six months, four payments every three months, etc.)
  • Choose a method of payment (CC, eCheck [follow set-up directions through the Plaid app])
  • IMPORTANT:  When paying outstanding balances, you will be prompted to designate how you wish your payment to be allocated:  Outstanding Dues, Preschool Development Fund portion of dues (if applicable), Fees, etc.

•     Colorado Child Care Tax Credit (CCCTC) eligibility – all members may qualify by
• By making a qualifying monetary contribution of $500 or more to the 2026 Pathways Campaign 
• In addition, Plus Members are eligible for the CCCTC through the Preschool Development Fund portion of their dues. For more information, please refer to the HEA website under Donate – Colorado Childcare Tax Credit and consult with your financial advisor on how the CCTC may benefit you
• A qualifying monetry contribution includes payments made by cash, credit, check, cCheck (ACH), or a qualifying charitable distribution from individual retirement account (IRA). Payments made through Donor Advised Funds (DAF) or through donated stocks do not qualify for the CCCTC.
•    Adjustments to your dues and fees

If you have received an adjustment to your dues and fees in the past they will not automatically rewnew. Please reach out to Amy Karp at amy@headenver.org. We will work with you to accommodate your needs.

• Previous dues/fee balances

Any outstanding 24/25 Security Assessment and Yizkor Book fees will still appear on your upcoming statements. They will show up on a separate line on your statement

•   Scheduled payments and Open payments

Scheduled payments for 24/25 will show up as a separate line item in your statement; if you see a negative balance on your statement that reflects Open payments or payments not yet allocated

•   Religious School dues/fee balances

These balances will show up on a separate line item on your statement

HOW TO CONTACT US (THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR PATIENCE WITH OUR RESPONSE):

• Fill out the online membership form OR email at Info@HEAdenver.org;  all information will be kept confidential. Our office telephone number is 303-758-9400

OTHER FAQ

How many members does HEA have?
> 850 households.

How many families attend the religious and pre-schools?
> 350 families, many with multiple children enrolled.

How many rabbis are there?
> There is currently one rabbi: Rabbi Sarah Shulman.

What if I can't afford the membership dues?
> No one has ever turned away because of finances. Could you contact our office to adjust dues and fees?

How are services run? What do you think I should expect?
> We have several different kinds of services at HEA. On Saturday morning, we have a traditional three-hour service led by one of the Rabbis in the main sanctuary. We also have a lively, musical two-hour service called Shir Hadash, one of the Rabbis, and a team of singers that engage the congregation in the song that meets in the Goldberger Youth Center. On Friday nights, roughly every five weeks, we have a Musical Kabbalat Shabbat service with instruments and singing called Azamra. On the other weeks, we have a traditional Friday night service that meets in the Chapel.

I'm new to Denver -- will I fit in?
> Absolutely. Our congregation comprises a beautiful mixture of long-time Denverites and many transplants from the East Coast, south, and just about anywhere in the US, with some from overseas! The Alliance is well-established (founded in 1932). Over 60% of the members have joined the congregation since the southeast Denver building was completed in the mid-1990s. Many of these members are new to Denver -- just like you.

I just had a baby. Can I meet other parents? Where?
> We encourage people with infants and small children to participate in our Shabbat morning services. In addition to welcoming "little ones" into the sanctuary, we have a cry room and a well-supervised babysitting program. In addition, the Alliance Preschool is a great way to meet other families with young children. Finally, there's a Tot Shabbat program, a combined parent and child service. 

Are the clergy available for personal consultations when I need them?
> The clergy of the Alliance are easy to reach. Call Debbie at 720-390-4435 to set a meeting with a member of the clergy.

Who can I call to speak to for more information?
> Our staff are friendly, easily approachable, and ready to answer your questions. Please look at our Staff page to contact our staff directly by email or phone. 

How do you fit all those members in during the high holidays? Will I have a seat?
> The sanctuary, chapel, and social hall are located to maximize the seats available for the High Holidays. Nearly 2,200 can be seated at one time.

Are women allowed on the bimah? Are they able to read from the Torah?
> Women are total participants in the bimah. Just like men, they can have aliyot, read from the Torah, chant a haftarah, andaliyot, read from the Torah, chant a haftarah, and receive other bimah honors.

I know very little about Judaism -- will there be a place to learn more about my heritage, religion, and language?
> The Alliance offers various educational programs for individuals with different backgrounds, including an adult b'nai mitzvah program.

I am a convert -- will I be accepted?
> Jews by Choice are accepted equally with Jews by Birth. Several Jews by Choice have served on the Board of Directors, as congregation officers, and in other leadership roles, including teachers in our Religious School and Adult Education program.

Are there facilities for parties and events?
> Because the Alliance social hall was designed to be flexible, comfortable spaces are available for small groups to dinner/dance events for over 600. The Alliance has a professionally equipped kitchen that can accommodate large groups.

Is the Kosher catering available?
> The Alliance has a flexible catering policy with an in-house caterer, Cohen's Cuisine, and the availability to use other Denver area caterers who do kosher catering.

How many weddings and bar mitzvahs are performed each year?
> Between 10-15 weddings are held at the Alliance each year. Between 40-55 b'nai mitzvah each year. Approximately 2/3 of the b'nai mitzvah are celebrated on Shabbat morning, with 1/3 held at the Shabbat mincha/maariv service.

What neighborhood is the shul in? Is it easy to find?
> The HEA is conveniently located in southeast Denver. The synagogue is one block west of I-25 and two blocks south of Hampden Ave. You can see a map and get directions on our contact page.

Is there a room for young families during services?
> Infants and young children are welcomed into the sanctuary for services. If the little ones get a bit too noisy, there is a wiggle room adjacent to the sanctuary where families can see and hear the service, but children's noises will not interfere with worship. 

What if I know someone who is ill?
> Let us know! The HEA is a very caring and welcoming congregation. If the person is hospitalized, the congregation's rabbis want to visit. If at home, we want to be able to call and talk to them. Also, we would like to add their names to the Mishaberach list and include them in our prayers for healing. We want to be able to acknowledge the illness, including them as part of the service, and help in any way we can. 

What if I suffer a loss in my family?
> Let us know! HEA is a very caring and welcoming congregation. We want to help in any way we can. 

How do I schedule a bris, baby naming, bar mitzvah, or a wedding?
> Contact Debbie Buchanan at 720-390-4435.

What if my spouse is not Jewish? Will my family be welcome?
> Yes, all households where at least one adult is Jewish are welcome to affiliate with the HEA. Non-Jewish spouses are welcome to participate as much or as little as they want. We have non-Jewish spouses who are actively involved in congregational life, including serving on committees, while others choose to participate infrequently or not at all. We are sensitive to the dynamics of every household.

What if someone in my family needs accommodations? 
>HEA prides itself on building an inclusive community. We work closely with members to provide accommodations to ensure full participation in our programs and events. Please call the office if you or a loved one needs accommodations to participate in programs or events.