Membership

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Contact HEA Finance Director Caryn Osterman to become a Plus member or increase your Plus membership level.

2023-2024 HEA MEMBERSHIP DUES – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW – JULY 2023

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 with us to ensure that 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 now underway.  As in years past, we ask that your current membership dues are paid at least through the first quarter of the fiscal year (through July) and that your past dues and fees are paid in full or adjusted to a level that is comfortable for you.

Important information for fiscal year 23/23, which runs from May 1, 2023, to April 30, 2024:

• Credit card and echeck payments do not automatically roll over for the 23/24 dues; AND
• Credit card convenience fees are included in your credit card payments (see Payment info below)
• echeck payments do not incur a service charge
• Payments may be scheduled through the end of the 23/24 fiscal year and extended upon request

SCHEDULED CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS FOR 22/23 WILL CONTINUE THROUGH 2023-24 BUT YOU WILL NEED TO SET UP NEW SCHEDULED PAYMENTS FOR 2023-24
PLEASE GO TO YOUR HEA ONLINE ACCOUNT TO RESCHEDULE PAYMENTS OR ASK FOR ASSISTANCE - SEE CONTACT US BELOW

•    As of August 1st payments may be scheduled for up to (9) months through April 30, 2024; (8) months as of September 1st , etc. 
•    Contact us if a payment schedule is needed past April 30^th, see Contact Info below

   Contact us if you want payment to occur on a certain day of the month and the system is not cooperating with this request

• Payment options:
• Credit Card; NOTE:  Credit card fees will be included in your credit card payment
• eChecks 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 number of payments
  • Under Pay This Amount choose frequency of payments
  • Length of payments may be made within a 12-month period (i.e. 2 payments every 6 months; 4 payments every 3 months, etc.)
  • Choose 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 is to be allocated:  Outstanding Dues, Preschool Development Fund portion of dues (if applicable), Fees etc.

•  A Board-approved dues increase of 5% across all membership categories 

This decision, which was approved at the Tuesday, April 25^th Board meeting, came after careful and thoughtful deliberation by the Finance Committee during the lengthy budget planning process.  The increase will continue to provide our congregants a safe and welcoming space in which to worship and to provide the highest quality programming for our members, meeting the needs of all age groups and life circumstances

•    Child Care Tax Credit (CCTC) eligibility – all members may qualify by

• By making a donation to the 2023 Pathways and the upcoming Fall Centennial Campaigns
• In addition, Plus Members are eligible for the CCTC 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
•    Adjustments to your dues and fees

If you have received an adjustment to your dues and fees in the past and this does not show up on your statement or the adjustment is not correct, please contact Caryn at caryn@headenver.org.  We will work with you to accommodate these past and new requests

•    Security Assessment of $150 for 2023-2024

The HEA Security Committee continues to research and recommend ways to increase security for our members.  Outfitting the new Welcome Room with an intercom system and door release button, installing additional video cameras, outside bollards and metal fencing and providing ongoing security trainings are just some examples of how your tax-deductible Security Assessment fees will be spent. The recently held Stop the Bleed first -aid training for our Security team and interested members is a recent example

•    Previous dues/fee balances

Any outstanding 22/23 Security Assessment and Yizkor Book fees will still show up on your May statement unless you ask us to remove or adjust those charges. They will show up on a separate line on your statement and will not be affected by the 5% dues increase

•   Scheduled payments for 2022–2023 dues

These will show up on a separate line on your statement and will not be affected by the 5% dues increase

•    Scheduled payments and Open payments

Scheduled payments for 23/24 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 and will not be affected by the 5% dues increase

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
• Caryn Osterman, Finance Director, Caryn@HEAdenver.org for billing questions and dues’ adjustments
• Joyce Perlmutter, Joyce@headenver.org 303-758-9400 / Debbie LeBauer, Debbie@headenver.org 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 are currently 2 Rabbis: Rabbi Salomon Gruenwald and Rabbi Sarah Shulman.

What if I can't afford the membership dues?
> No one is ever turned away because of finances. Contact Caryn Osterman to adjust dues and fees.

How are services run? What should I 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 led by one of the Rabbis and a team of singers that engage the congregation in 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 is made up of a wonderful mixture of long-time Denverites and many transplants from the east coast, south, and just about anywhere in the US, and some from overseas! The Alliance is a 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 as well as 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 which is a parent and child combined 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?
> All of our staff are friendly, easily approachable, and ready to answer your questions. Please see 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 number of seats available to 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 full participants on the bimah. They, just as men, can have aliyot, read from the Torah, chant a haftarah, as well receive other bimah honors.

I know very little about Judaism -- will there be a place for me to learn more about my heritage, religion, and language?
> The Alliance offers a wide variety of educational programs for individuals with a wide variety of 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. A number of Jews by Choice have and are serving on the Board of Directors, as Officers of the congregation, and in other leadership roles, including teachers in both 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 very 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 both 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. 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 where 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 rabbis of the congregation 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 LeBauer at 720-390-4435.

What if my spouse is not Jewish? Will my family be welcome?
> Yes, all households in which 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 would like. 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 each and 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 necessary 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 any programs or events.