Beginning this coming Tuesday evening, June 22, Tikvat Israel is instituting a regular weekly “Dark Night” in our schedule. Every Tuesday evening the synagogue will be COMPLETELY CLOSED at 8:00 pm, following minyan. The custodial crew will also be leaving at that time. If a committee needs to meet it can do so at someone’s home, at a coffee shop, but not at shul.
What are the benefits of this evening off? Reduced utilities expenses and reduced wear and tear on the building, to name just two. While we pride ourselves on being a full-service synagogue that is open whenever our members and certain non-member users want it to be, doing so comes at a significant cost. Closing one night a week will enhance our respect both for our synagogue and for the non-synagogue life of our members.
Holidays, of course, and other special events will be exceptions. For those curious about this new policy, please note that many synagogues in this area and around the country–including very large ones with 1,000+ families–are closed one night a week, and some are even closed two nights, at least during the summer months.
We will evaluate this new initiative at the end of September 2010 and make changes and adjustments as necessary. If you have any questions or comments about this new policy, please feel free to contact me at 301-762-7338, ext. 111, or at sam@tikvatisrael.org.
Thank you.
Sam Freedenberg
Executive Director
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