Okay, I'm pissed off.

[lightningandsnow]

I'm Jewish, but my family has never been very observant. I decided to try to become a bit more observant, so I'm looking for a synagogue to join.

Here's one problem: their memberships are too freaking expensive. Literally, there is no way I could afford such a thing right now. I'm a university student who makes 12 dollars an hour at a job that will become part-time in the fall. Certain congregations provide discounted memberships for people in need, but only after you provide extremely detailed documentation of your finances. They also totally center people who are married with children: one congregation had "family memberships" that inculded any children under 25. Which doesn't help if you're under 25 and your parents don't want to join.

Interestingly enough, some small orthodox congregations are the only ones that are affordable. And, oddly enough, this makes them seem more welcoming; at least they're not shutting people out who can't pay hundreds, sometimes over a thousand dollars a year.

This is why Judaism is a dying religion. Not because of intermarriage. Because some people seem to not care about shutting out people who aren't rich establishment types.

[joeybee12]

1. I didn't know that about judaism...growing up catholic they have

collections at mass, but not actual memberships to join a congregation.

[elleng]

2. Good points.

Sorry

:hug:

Good Shabbos.

[lightningandsnow]

3. Thank you!

Good shabbos to you too. :hug:

[Curmudgeoness]

4. I am not Jewish, and have never heard of

having to get a membership to a synagogue, so bear with me here. Are you able to attend Sabbath rituals without a membership? Can you worship without joining? Or do you have to show a membership just to enter? All Christian churches that I know about allow anyone to go in to worship. Can you do that for now?

[seabeyond]

5. wow. i had no idea you had to pay for it. thanks for telling us

i am going to ask around. never heard that.