Join Us

WHC is a warm and welcoming community where you can build a meaningful Jewish life.

Each of our Jewish journeys is unique, and at Washington Hebrew, you will find clergy and educators who will meet you wherever you are on your path.

Washington Hebrew is a welcoming community where people at all stages of life can celebrate, support, learn, and grow along life’s Jewish journey. We remain committed to meeting the needs of our community now and in the future. Through Congregational Commitment, we can help current members maintain a lifelong connection at a support level of their choosing and make joining our sacred community more accessible for prospective members.

Discover your spiritual home at Washington Hebrew Congregation.

Tell me more       I’m ready to join WHC!

We will help you grow spiritually and intellectually, enrich your Jewish identity, and support you in times of need.

When you become a member of WHC, you join a warm, vibrant, and caring community.

We are individuals and couples; we are seniors and students.

We are families with young children, and we are empty nesters.

We are single parents, blended families, widows, and widowers.

We are LGBTQ+ and their allies, Jews of Color, Jewish, Jew-ish, and interfaith.

Discover your spiritual home at Washington Hebrew Congregation.

Tell me more       I’m ready to join WHC!

Membership Types

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Member

Our $2,800 Congregational Commitment for Members ensures that we can carry on our cherished traditions; maintain our commitment to social justice; present thought-provoking speakers; offer opportunities to expand Jewish learning far beyond the aleph-bet and the Five Books of Moses; support our inspiring, compassionate, and accessible clergy; and nurture the community that makes you feel welcome.

WHC young professionals out and about on a summer day.

Young Member (35 & Under)

WHC’s Young Membership is for those under 36 who do not have children enrolled in our Early Childhood Center or Religious School.

Young Members under 30 have a $180 annual Congregational Commitment. For Young Members between the ages of 30–35, the Congregational Commitment is $360.

When financial security comes early, we also offer a Sustaining Member rate for young professionals who wish to provide added support to their community. These generous members will be recognized as “Patrons” with an annual Congregational Commitment of $1,800.

Celebrating Shabbat across the generations

Sustaining Member

Choosing to become a Sustaining Member at Washington Hebrew is both an act of tzedakah and a reflection of faith in our shared Jewish future — it ensures that Washington Hebrew can be a welcoming and inclusive community for all.

Your generosity allows young families, seniors, and others to remain a part of our WHC family regardless of financial circumstances. Sustaining Members will also help make joining our sacred community more attractive and financially accessible for new members. And your example will inspire others in our community to join the ranks of Sustaining Members and support our shared Jewish future.

Learn more about Sustaining Membership

Our Early Childhood Center families are WHC families too!

Early Childhood Center Member

When families enroll their children in our Early Childhood Center, they become a part of not just our ECC community, but our entire Washington Hebrew community. We delight in welcoming them with complimentary Temple membership while their children are enrolled in our Early Childhood Center.

Learn more about our Early Childhood Center

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Alternative Memberships

Long-time members who have moved from the D.C. area can maintain their connection to Washington Hebrew with our Non-Resident Member category. This special membership, which has an annual membership contribution of $360, includes member benefits, such as reduced or free program fees and pastoral care from clergy. Tickets for High Holy Day services may be purchased, and life cycle officiation has a fee.

We also offer Dual Membership for individuals, couples, and families who also belong to another congregation—of any denomination or faith. If you would like to learn about this option, please contact Jennifer Millstone, WHC’s Director of Member Engagement, at jmillstone@whctemple.org or 202-895-6328.


FAQs

Washington Hebrew Congregation — your synagogue — is where you can experience all facets of life’s Jewish journey with your people. We are a community that cares and is committed to the growth and support of all its members. And you, our members, are the foundation of synagogue life.

The world and individuals change, and it is essential that synagogue membership evolves as well. Here are some frequently asked questions about Congregational Commitment.

We have three primary membership types: Members, Young Members, and Sustaining Members. We also offer complimentary membership for our Early Childhood Center families, Non-Resident Membership for those who have moved away from the D.C. area, and Dual Membership for those who are also affiliated with another house of worship.


Young Members are under 36 and do not have children enrolled in our Early Childhood Center or Religious School. It’s a membership category designed to help those who are just starting out be able to call WHC their spiritual home. Young Members under 30 have a $180 annual Congregational Commitment; for those between 30–35, the Congregational Commitment is $360.


Sustaining Membership, one of WHC’s three primary membership categories, is a demonstration of both an act of tzedakah and a reflection of faith in our shared Jewish future. Those who choose to become Sustaining Members make a yearly Congregational Commitment higher than our annual Member rate of $2,800. We offer six levels of Sustaining Membership, ranging from $3,600 to $25,000.

By “paying it forward,” Sustaining Members help current Members maintain a lifelong connection with our community and make membership accessible to all who wish to be part of our sacred congregation, regardless of financial circumstances. Our ability to achieve these goals depends on the philanthropy of congregants who choose to become Sustaining Members, and we are grateful for their strong commitment to Washington Hebrew.


Your annual commitment has two components: your Congregational Commitment and a Security Fee. For our 2023-2024 congregational year (July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024):

  • Members: $2800 + $280 = $3080 ($257/month)
  • Young Members under 30: $180 + $56 = $236 ($20/month)
  • Young Members 30-35: $360 + $200 = $560 ($47/month)

Sustaining Member commitments include the annual Security Fee:

  • Patron: $3600 ($300/month)
  • Pillar: $5000 ($417/month)
  • Guardian: $7500 ($625/month)
  • Founder: $10,000 ($834/month)
  • Benefactor: $18,000 ($1500/month)
  • Preserver: $25,000 ($2084/month)

Yes, a Capital Pledge that is paid over time.

The Capital Pledge supports our Building Fund, which enables major facility upgrades and improvements that are not covered by the annual budget. The Capital Pledge for new Members age 36 and up is $5,000. Members can satisfy this pledge with annual installments in beginning in the 2nd year of membership ($500/year) or pay it in full.


We are committed to making membership accessible and do not want anyone to forgo being part of our community for financial reasons. If you are unable to pay the full membership fee, we will work with you confidentially. Please contact Jennifer Millstone, Director of Member Engagement, at 202-895-6328 or jmillstone@whctemple.org to begin this conversation.


We offer Dual Membership for individuals, couples, and families who maintain membership in good standing with another congregation, regardless of faith or denomination. If you would like to learn about this option, please contact Jennifer Millstone, Director of Member Engagement, at jmillstone@whctemple.org or 202-895-6328.


Yes. Yad B’Yad (Hebrew for “hand in hand”), the Temple’s annual fund, was created by the Board of Directors in 2015 to provide a dependable revenue stream for the Congregation’s operations and activities. Yad B’Yad has become an increasingly important part of the WHC budget.

Congregational Commitments (annual member dues) support approximately 40% of our expenses. Once tuition and fees for the Early Childhood Centers and Religious School are factored in, 57% of WHC’s operating costs are covered. This leaves a gap of 43% of uncovered expenses that Yad B’Yad helps to fill.

In addition to Yad B’Yad, WHC funds its budget through endowments, facility rental fees, foundation grants, and the generosity of individual members who respond to special funding requests. While we continue to seek all these sources of support, Yad B’Yad provides crucial unrestricted and flexible funds that support Temple operations and unanticipated needs such as an exciting, timely program or speaker.

Most importantly, Yad B’Yad provides stability to our community and is funded by members of all income levels. Every gift— whether $18 or $18,000—is essential and emphasizes that the financial health of WHC is our shared responsibility.


Sustaining Members make a yearly Congregational Commitment above and beyond the $2,800 Member rate. Their generous commitment will make it possible for many families, young professionals just starting out, and seniors who may be on a fixed income to affiliate with WHC. Yad B’Yad, as described above, supports WHC’s annual budget. It helps to pay for the 43% of expenses that are not met by Congregational Commitments, tuition, and fees. It also makes it possible for WHC to offer special programs and opportunities that arise during the year.


Yes! Washington Hebrew truly depends on both your Congregational Commitment (membership dues) and your donations to Yad B’Yad. WHC is our shared community, and with your support, we can thrive! We ask that you fulfill your annual Congregational Commitment plus make a Yad B’Yad gift that is comfortable and meaningful to your family. We are grateful for your continued investment in our WHC community and future!


Since 2001, Washington Hebrew has invested in extensive security enhancements and upgrades to protect all who come to our buildings. The annual Security Fee helps support these efforts.

 


We can help! Please reach out to Jennifer Millstone, WHC’s Director of Member Engagement, at jmillstone@whctemple.org or 202-895-6328.


Discover your spiritual home at Washington Hebrew Congregation.

Tell me more       I’m ready to join WHC!

On the Blog: Membership Reimagined

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WHC Story: Samantha “Sam” Sloane

Posted on April 13, 2021

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Membership Reimagined

WHC Story: Mallory Herron

Posted on April 5, 2021

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Membership Reimagined

WHC Story: The Magid Family

Posted on March 8, 2021

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Ready to join or have questions?

Jennifer Millstone
Director of Member Engagement
jmillstone@whctemple.org or 202-895-6328

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