Q: Will expenses associated with the merger increase our dues?

Temple Sinais current dues income combined with their endowment and the projected revenue from the sale of their property yield a break-even financial transfer. We assumed a bad-case scenario on the sale of the real estate and moderate case for Temple Sinai member retention. This means that Ohef Sholom should not need to assume additional debt from Temple Sinai when the merger takes place.

Q: Will the Temple Sinai members always pay less dues than Ohef Sholom congregants?

Initially Ohef Sholom will freeze Temple Sinai members dues base at their current dues level for five years, and we will waive the building fee. At the end of five years there will be a multi-year transition period during which Temple Sinai members move into the Ohef Sholom dues structure, subject to our policy that no one is ever expected to pay more than they can afford.

Hopefully once the Temple Sinai congregants become integrated with us and understand the value we provide, they will meet our dues requirements sooner rather than later. In the meantime we have two different cultures to merge, and we want them to feel comfortable with us right from the start.

Q: What if Temple Sinai is running a deficit at the time of the merger?

While we did not anticipate a deficit for Temple Sinai operations this year, Temple Sinai understood that until the real estate sold, Ohef Sholom may incur expenses outside of planned operating budgets. In this event Temple Sinai offered to do additional fundraising if necessary with our help. They are more accustomed to balancing their budget with fundraising activities than we are, so it made sense.

Q: If we provide Temple Sinai clergy with Medigap, wouldnt the Rabbis compensation at Ohef Sholom be greater than his compensation package at Temple Sinai?

Compensation is a package with a limit on it. Expenses can be allocated within the package as he sees fit. We don't want to create an uncomfortable situation for either rabbi, but we feel we have a lot better chance of retaining Temple Sinai members if we treat their Rabbi fairly than if we do not.

Q: Are we obligated to keep Temple Sinais Rabbi Steinberg on after the three years specified in the contract?

Renegotiation means just that. We may decide to ask him to stay on if he is providing benefit worth what we are paying him. We are under no obligation to retain him after 3 years, but we may wish to. I can see where his work ethic and ability could become very useful to our congregation and our Rabbi. As he has a long history with his congregation now, Rabbi Roz may find it beneficial to have him help with ex-Temple Sinais members' life cycle events.

Q: Is the planned $100,000 sufficient to cover all expenses associated with the merger?

We do not anticipate a prolonged holding period for Temple Sinais building as it's not in anyone's best interests to allow the building to sit around for too long. Since we anticipate some extraneous expenses associated with holding the property until the sale, we agreed to keep $100,000 out of the endowment until the dust settled. These funds could be used towards any merger related expenses.

Q: Does naming the Ohef Sholom chapel the Sinai Chapel take away this naming opportunity for an Ohef Sholom congregant?

No Ohef Sholom member who contributed to the last capital campaign asked for the naming rights to the chapel. As the chapel remains unnamed and the endowment coming over from Temple Sinai is in the ballpark of what it would take to name the chapel, we thought it was good fit. This will also preserve a proud congregation's history and make it part of our own. Much of their memorabilia will come over and be displayed prominently within our walls as well. The idea is to make these new members feel at home and comfort them in their time of need.

Q: What is the time frame for the merger?

The goal is to complete the merger by June 1, 2012. However, Ohef Sholom can be flexible and complete the merger sooner if, for instance, the property sells quickly.

Q: Where do the proceeds from the sale of Temple Sinais real estate go?

The funds from the sale of their temple along with the funds from their endowment will be transfered to Ohef Sholom Foundation for professional management by the Tidewater Jewish Foundation. However, $100,000 of the net sale proceeds from the sale of the real estate may be used to pay expenses of the merger not underwritten by fundraising or absorbed in the congregations budgets