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 CongregationOhr Beharim if you are more comfortable with that.
Please send checks to:
Congregation Ohr Beharim
P.O. Box 2332
Flagstaff, AZ 86004
What does it cost to run Congregation Ohr Beharim?
Oneg: $30-$40 per service
MailChimp: $20/month or $240/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 Congregation 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 Congregation 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, Congregation 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 CongregationOhr Beharim a non-profit?
Ohr Beharim is an incorporated nonprofit with the IRS and runs as a 501 (c) (3)non-profit. We are working on obtaining official 501 (c) (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 working to raise funds to run Congregation Ohr Beharim Full Time.
The average part-time salary for a rabbi across the United States ranges from $60,000-$90,000 per year. Rabbi Shoshana is looking to raise 80,000 a year for both operational costs and salary (and to include a mitzvah fund for community support). She is hoping to earn $65,000 a year to run the congregation full time.
Rabbi Shoshana's mission is Jewish advocacy through Education, Torah, and Tradition. Her goal would be to provide low or no-cost Hebrew School, Adult Education, Torah Study, Life Cycle Services, Holidays, Community Events, and continue supporting Jewish college students at the Hillel at NAU Club and on campus, as antisemitism at Northern Arizona University is high. Eventually, Rabbi Shoshana dreams of running a no-cost or low-cost Jewish Summer Camp to ensure that all Jewish Children, regardless of economic background, can have an impactful Jewish connection.