Transparent Budget
Rabbi Shoshana's financial goals for the community are based on voluntary donations. She invites you to discuss this and give input or other perspectives - transparency and community input are necessary for a healthy community. Please feel free to reach out.
Donations are accepted through the payment portal above, or you can make a check out to Ohr Beharim if you are more comfortable with that.
Please send checks to:
Ohr Beharim
P.O. Box 2332
Flagstaff, AZ 86004
What does it cost to run the congregation Ohr Beharim?
Oneg: $30-$40 per service
MailChimp: $13/month or $156/year
Zoom Pro (to use for classes, services, meetings): $159.90/year
Canva Pro: $119.99/year
Wix Website Pro: $372.01/year
Domain: 62.50/ 2 year cycle
Business Email: $72/year
The following is the cost to rent our beautiful space for various events:
Kabbalat Shabbat Service: $33.75
Torah Study: $11.75
Rosh Hashanah: $162
Yom Kippur: $225
Sukkot: $60.75
Hanukkah: $20.25
Tu B'Shevat: $11.75
Purim: $20.25
Shavuot: $20.25
On an average month at Ohr Beharim, we will meet for two Kabbalat Shabbat Services and one Torah study starting in July 2025 for the 2025/2026 fiscal year.
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The total cost of all Kabbalat Shabbat Services and one Torah Study per month for the upcoming fiscal year is $687.75. If you are interested in sponsoring in whole or part, please add a note with your donation specifying where you would like it to go. THIS AMOUNT HAS BEEN RAISED FOR 2025/2026
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The total cost for space rental for the upcoming High Holy Days is $447.75. If you are interested in sponsoring in whole or part, please add a note with your donation specifying where you would like it to go. THIS AMOUNT HAS BEEN RAISED FOR 2025/2026
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Combining the bullet points above, the annual budget for rental space for all services and events for the upcoming fiscal year is $1,135.50.
*** As of April 9, 2025: Amount donated $1,135.50 - 2025/2026 Fiscal year rental covered***
Help Ohr Beharim obtain a Torah for Services, holidays, and life cycles.
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In addition to space rental, Rabbi Shoshana is looking to obtain a Kosher Sefer Torah for the congregation. The prices for used/refurbished Kosher Sefer Torah on Sofer on Site range from $7,000-15,000 as of March 2025. If you are interested in sponsoring a Kosher Sefer Torah in Full, Ohr Beharim will name the Aron Kodesh after you (for example, The Abraham David Arc or The David Family Arc). Or the Arc can be named in honor of the person/family of your choice. If you would like to donate to the fundraising of a Kosher Sefer Torah, please add a note with your donation specifying where you would like it to go.
Is Ohr Beharim a non-profit?
Ohr Beharim is registered as a non-profit/church with the IRS and runs as a 501c (3)non-profit. We are working on obtaining official 501c(3) status. Still, in the meantime, this IRS Article indicates that donors are allowed to claim a charitable deduction for donations to a "church that meets the section 501(c)(3) requirements even though the church has neither sought nor received IRS recognition that it is tax exempt".
What about Rabbi Shoshana's time?
Rabbi Shoshana is donating her time to this congregation to run the website, emails, hold holidays, conduct two Kabbalat Shabbat Services per month, conduct one Torah study per month, provide minimal pastoral care, and volunteer as the rabbi for the Hillel at NAU club. As she has a day job, her main priorities would be to cover the cost of the rental space and obtain a Kosher Sefer Torah for the congregation. Once those community needs are met, donations for her time will be welcome.
The average part-time salary for a rabbi across the United States ranges from $60,000-$90,000 per year. What a part-time rabbinic salary would afford this congregation and community: Currently, Rabbi Shoshana's time is limited, and this would free her up for greater availability to the community, NAU students, in addition to all Jewish Holidays, twice a-month Kabbalat Shabbat Services, Twice a-month Torah study or Adult Education, and Pastoral care and Life cycle events (funerals, weddings, baby naming) to all community members in need. This would also allow Rabbi Shoshana to start am at-cost or no-cost Hebrew School for local Jewish youth (which would add approximately $199.75 to the annual rental budget plus the cost of supplies).