Our Community
In 2018, a new Jewish community launched in D.C. to complement the rich Jewish ecosystem of our city — a community that strives to be spiritually vibrant, radically inclusive, and reflect our vision for a world of justice, equity, and liberation.
The New Synagogue Project was founded and continues to be built by and for families with kids, couples and single people, queer and trans people, disabled and chronically ill people, D/deaf and hard of hearing folks, interfaith families, Jews of Color and white Jews, religious, secular, and atheist Jews, and anyone interested in exploring and experiencing Jewish life.
What We’re Building
We are building a pluralistic and egalitarian community where people know and care for one another, whether in times of celebration, struggle, or mourning.
We are working to develop deep relationships with other faith communities and alongside existing movements to build a more just and equitable city. We stand for environmental, racial, and economic justice, and oppose the Israeli military occupation of Palestine.
We are building a spiritual and political home where ritual, prayer, and learning are relevant, meaningful, transformative, and accessible. We are creating a community that draws on a multiplicity of Jewish traditions and teachings, grounding the work we do to advance justice and liberation.
Brit / Covenant
Becoming a member is a spiritual and political act. In Jewish terms, membership is a brit (a covenant) in which we enter into a sacred relationship. And as our community’s membership grows, our collective ability to create meaningful change in our city and the world grows, too.
Everyone is welcome at our services and social gatherings, but members have first claim on our learning programs, such as Rabbi Yosef’s Introduction to Jewish Practice course. Membership also includes guaranteed seats at High Holidays services.
Resourcing Our Vision
We ask each member household to make an annual or monthly contribution that is meaningful, significant, and affordable to you. Our doors are open to everyone, whether you give $0 or $10,000 per year, or donate your time and energy. We also invite all members to join one of our teams to contribute ideas, talent, and leadership. We ask all members to fill a few volunteer shifts per season to sustain our Shabbat and community programming. And lastly, we invite members, friends, and family who are able to contribute to our Growth Fund to help make it possible for NSP to scale up and serve anyone who wishes to be part of the community, regardless of access to financial resources.
How much should you give? See below for a sliding scale table based on income.
Guidance On Your Pledge Amount:
The table below is meant as a guide. Only you know the level of giving that is meaningful and right for you, and we encourage you to make a pledge that fits with your financial obligations, needs, and abilities. We realize that income is only one (imperfect) measure of our financial capacity. Membership is not contingent on a financial contribution.
| Total Household Income | Percentage | Monthly Giving | Annual Giving |
| $35,000 | 0.35% | $10 | $120 |
| $50,000 | 0.50% | $21 | $250 |
| $75,000 | 0.75% | $50 | $560 |
| $100,000 | 1% | $83 | $1,000 |
| $150,000 | 1.2% | $180 | $1,800 |
| $200,000 | 1.25% | $208 | $2,500 |
| $300,000 | 1.5% | $375 | $4,500 |
| $500,000+ | 2% | $833 | $10,000 |
Context on NSP’s Budgetary Needs
For the 2023 fiscal year beginning July 1, 2022, our budget is $416,917. NSP has approximately 320 adult members, so the cost per adult member is $1,300 per year, or $2,600 per year for a two-adult household. We ask members to pledge as much as they are able, guided by the table above and by NSP’s operating cost needs, and knowing that this contribution will vary across our community. For comparison, membership dues at other DC-area synagogues range $1,500–$3,180 per year for households with 2 adults, and $750–$2,090 for 1 adult.
For membership to be accessible to everyone, we need those who are able to contribute more than the average cost per member.
We ask members to renew their membership and make their pledge to give each year in May. Current members can renew their membership for the 2023 fiscal year here.
Giving Time and Sharing Food
In addition to a financial commitment according to your means, we encourage all members to take on a volunteer role or join one of our teams.
We also ask members to participate in our Shabbat Co-Op, a volunteer system that allows us to run our Shabbat programs.
Growth Fund
Some of us have the capacity to give more to help our community grow and thrive. And some of us are fellow travelers and supporters, who don’t plan to participate regularly or live elsewhere, but care deeply about fostering a spiritually vibrant, liberation-focused, radically inclusive Jewish community. To help grow our organizational capacity and ensure this community will be here for the long haul, we invite members, friends, and family who are able to contribute Growth Fund gifts or pledges at $10,800, $5,400, $3,600, or $1,800. We hope donors will consider making a 3-year pledge. We welcome gifts of any amount to help grow this community – and if you know anyone who’d want to chip in, let us know!
Ready to join?
Fill out the membership form here!
Questions?
Reach out to the Membership Team at membership@newsynagogueproject.org or to our Synagogue Director, Lauren Spokane, at lauren@newsynagogueproject.org.