2023 Security Campaign
When we walk into Temple Akiba, we not only enter a special space. We enter a holy space. It is holy because of the people who surround us. It is holy because of the sacred moments we honor. It is holy because of the visionaries who came before us. It is holy because of the future we are nurturing. - Rabbi Shapiro
With all of this, our highest priority is to ensure a feeling of safety without compromising the holiness. In the past few years, Temple Akiba has invested almost $400,000 in security upgrades. But with the horrific attack against the Country of Israel on October 7, followed by the growing anti-Jewish attacks against the People of Israel around the world, we must increase our security with upgrades to both our facility and our staffing.
As many of you know, we have already increased the number of security guards. We have also added armed guards to our existing security team. These changes to our security guard team have increased our expenses by over $200,000 to this year’s budget alone. Security will be approximately 8% of this year’s budget.
We are writing to you today to ask for your help by making a special one-time donation to our 2023 Security Campaign to help cover this unexpected and, unfortunately, necessary increase in security expenses. The $200,000 overage comes to around $500 per family membership. We do understand that not everyone is in a position to donate at that level. We also recognize that there are many who can give much, much more. What we are hoping for is 100% Temple participation. This is not about what you are comfortable giving. This is about your ensuring that Akiba is safe and holy for us all. We don’t take this ask lightly, and we thank you for your continued support. Please send your donation in the enclosed envelope or click on the 2023 Security Campaign box on the front page of the Temple website at templeakiba.net.
We would also like to invite you to a Community Gathering: Security Update to be held on Sunday, January 7 at 9:15 AM at Temple. We will update you with insights from Israel, on the climate here in the Los Angeles area, on the security upgrades here at the Temple, as well as future plans.
As we sit down to Thanksgiving this week, we are more thankful than ever to be part of this amazing community. We thank you for being part of the Temple Akiba family, and for your continued support! Indeed, our Light Shines Brighter - Together!
