Our culture of giving sustains our community and values
Maintaining a vibrant, relevant Sherith Israel today and for future generations requires a deep commitment from us all. Our culture of giving recognizes that our synagogue prospers when each of us chooses to make it a priority. We find many ways—beyond our annual membership commitment—to provide the financial support Sherith Israel needs to meet our community’s needs and obligations.
The 2023 Annual Fund is now under way
Please consider making a donation to our Annual Fund. As with most congregations, membership 
contributions only cover about 50% of the total cost of running our synagogue. Your Annual Fund gift helps bridge the gap. We couldn’t do it without you!
General Fund
Make an unrestricted donation.
Rabbi Jessica Zimmerman Graf's Discretionary Fund
Rabbi George Altshuler's Discretionary Fund
Synagogue Music Fund
Rabbi Martin S. Weiner
Memorial Education Fund
Preschool Scholarship Fund
Support Hamotzi/Chicken
Soupers
Our award-winning HaMotzi and Chicken Soupers program feeds people in need every Sunday.
Sponsor an Oneg
Honor family or friends, celebrate a milestone, or remember a loved one. Sponsor an oneg (light refreshments) for the entire congregation.
Cost: $180
Organ Fund
Our historic organ requires ongoing maintenance and repair.
Social Action Fund
Help our mission to heal the world (Tikkun Olam).
Perpetual memorials: Remembering our loved ones
Donate
By creating a perpetual memorial or honoring a loved one on our Tree of Life, you ensure that their memory will become a lasting part of Sherith Israel.
Perpetual Memorial: Your gift of $500 or more guarantees that your loved one’s name will be included in our Shabbat leaflet and read before Kaddish by the rabbi each week for a year. Your loved one will also be honored in the Perpetual Memorial section of our Memorial Book placed in the ark during Yom Kippur Yizkor (memorial) service.
Tree of Life/Tree of Honor: Our Tree of Life Room, immediately off our entry foyer, features two contemporary trees by artist Helen Burke. A symbol of our people’s continuity, the Tree of Life also provides a special way to commemorate a dear one who has passed away or to celebrate a simcha in the life of a family member or friend. Each of the bronze leaves can be inscribed with the name of a loved one for a contribution of $600.
You can establish a Perpetual Memorial and purchase a leaf on the Tree of Life for a combined one-time gift of $950.
Please contact Talia Banarie, development manager, at tbanarie@sherithisrael.org or
415.346.1720, x117 for more information.
Circle of Light: Planned Giving
Our Circle of Light program strengthens our community for future generations
Sherith Israel embraces the ancient Jewish tradition of building l’dor va’dor—from generation to generation. The Circle of Light includes the members of the Sherith Israel community who have made a planned gift to the congregation through a will, life-income or other deferred gift.
Joining our Circle of Light by including Sherith Israel in your estate plan will enable our congregation to continue to provide a vital and vibrant community for San Francisco Jews and their families for generations to come. Sherith Israel is a nonprofit religious institution and can be designated as such in your bequest. Talk to your estate planner or Please contact Talia Banarie, development manager, at tbanarie@sherithisrael.org or 415.346.1720, x117 for more information.
When you designate Sherith Israel in your estate plan, please let us know so we can welcome you into our Circle of Light.
Stock Donations
Please contact Talia Banarie, development manager.
