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December 2025
Dear CSFA Supporters:
As Chanukah and year end arrive, I’ve been reflecting on what makes CSFA an oasis for Jewish life in this turbulent world. The answer is each of you. You have each helped to bring warmth and life to our little shul on 11th Street. You literally keep the lights burning.
2025 has been a banner year for CSFA.
• We have added more members this year than in any of the past 10 years.
• The attendance at Rabbi Blank’s weekly Torah classes has steadily increased.
• Mah Jong is back in full force with new faces at the table.
• Our Chesed Committee is back in action, serving meals to the homeless, delivering holiday packages to the homebound and sponsoring coat and toy drives.
• Lay leadership has increased at our services with more and more members volunteering to read Torah, chant haftorah and lead services. We encourage more of you to volunteer going forward.
• Overdue repairs to our building’s façade and masonry have finally begun.
In 2026 we celebrate our 66th year as an established synagogue. It’s hard to believe that CSFA was created waaaaay back during the Eisenhower administration. One more thing that CSFA and I have in common.
We face many challenges as we enter 2026.
• Membership dues barely cover 25% of our annual budget. We continue to operate at a substantial deficit, and, like the rest of the world, our costs continue to rise.
• With antisemitism rising we struggle to make certain we are providing a safe and secure environment for our services and special events while a full-time security guard is beyond our means.
• The Board is addressing ways to integrate modern technology to upgrade our means of communicating with members
I know many of you have already donated to our synagogue this year and we are most grateful for your kindness and generosity. Nonetheless, I am writing to ask you to consider making a year-end gift today. Believe it or not, our winter electric bill (which includes heating) can be several thousand dollars a month. The cost of a security guard for Friday night and Saturday morning shabbat services can be more than $700 per shabbat. Your generosity will help make it possible for us to continue to provide a space for Jewish learning, culture and friendship and keep our old building a warm and welcoming place for anyone looking to find meaning in being a Jew and to be part of a vital egalitarian Jewish community in the Village.
I thank you all for being a vital part of what makes CSFA such a wonderful community. Please help us to keep it thriving.
With best wishes for a Happy Chanukah and New Year,
Robert J. Reicher
President
P.S. You can mail a check to CSFA, 11 East 11 Street, New York, NY 10003, or pay online by clicking HERE. Thank you.
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