Your membership provides:

• Pastoral care and guidance for important life moments and milestones
• Lifecycle support for b’nai mitzvah, weddings, birth, conversion, death, and other life events
• Participation in High Holy Day services is available to members only (at no additional cost) and their guests
• Meaningful programming and small group gatherings that provides a rich tapestry for learning, reflection, and connection with fellow community members
• Access to Kadima@BJ registration and opportunities for immersive experiences, including trips and retreats
• Member-only Zoom access to Shabbat and some holiday services
• Special member pricing on concerts, community meals, annual community Shabbaton, trips and retreats, and more
• Enjoy priority access and special pricing on space rentals at BJ—whether you’re interested in a gathering of six or 600
• The spiritual nourishment that comes with being part of a loving, caring, and vibrant Jewish community—and of knowing that you are contributing to its present and helping to ensure its future

BJ’s membership model is based on a sliding scale, where dues are aligned with each household’s self-reported income and overall financial capacity. This approach reflects our core value that sustaining the community is a shared responsibility, with each household contributing according to their means.

When selecting an income range, we ask members to consider their household’s full financial picture, including salary, retirement income, investment income, family support, benefits, and other resources that contribute to their overall capacity to give. BJ’s sliding scale is built on trust, helping us remain both accessible and financially sustainable.

Young adults, seniors, students, and out-of-towners are important contributors to our community, and we endeavor to do all that we can to help them join and remain members. Rather than having special membership category pricing, if the sliding scale dues are not affordable for you, your membership form includes an option where you can request a conversation with the Membership department.

BJ is committed to being a community where financial circumstances are never a barrier to belonging. If the sliding scale dues are not affordable for you, your membership form includes an option where you can request a conversation with the Membership department.

Yes. Households with incomes under $50,000 continue to have full flexibility to set dues at a level that is right for them.

The Security Fee helps cover the rising cost of keeping our community safe. Security expenses have increased significantly in recent years and now represent more than $1 million annually, approximately one-twelfth of BJ’s operating budget.

Like many Jewish institutions, BJ has expanded its security measures in response to a changing environment and rising threats. Most large synagogues in New York City have maintained dedicated security fees for many years. The Security Fee allows BJ to address these ongoing costs transparently and equitably. Like membership dues, the fee is scaled by income to remain accessible across our community.

BJ’s annual operating budget is approximately $12.8 million. With nearly 1,900 member households, it costs roughly $6,800 per household to sustain the programs, services, learning opportunities, security, and operations that make BJ possible. Membership dues cover only part of that cost, with the remainder supported through the Kol Nidre Partnership Appeal, philanthropy, earned revenue, and endowment income.

Yes! Our membership forms allow you to pay your dues in monthly or quarterly installments. If you require a more flexible plan you can be in touch with the Membership department, who can help you set up a plan that works for you.

You can use this form for payment of open balances on your household account. Please make sure that you have already completed your membership renewal form prior to submitting payment for your membership dues.

BJ’s bylaws require members to be in Good Standing to access all the benefits of membership, including pastoral care and lifecycle support, High Holy Day seating, and participation in the Annual Meeting.

Our members in good standing are entitled to a High Holy Day entrance card for each family member in the household account. BJ policy allows adult children to be a part of their parent’s household account up to and including 26 years of age. New this year:  We won’t be mailing entrance cards—as always, you can print your entrance cards at home as soon as you register for services.