December 1st 2009 (30 days before the end of the fiscal year)
 
Thanks for taking a moment to read this highly personal letter. I know you get a lot of email from us throughout the year J, yet this letter may be the most important one we will send, so PLEASE indulge us in this one page letter.
 
As you know, we Chabad Rabbis wear many hats. Some more enjoyable than others.
 
The hat of fundraiser is one that is easier to wear when a) the bank account is full and b) when spiritually I am more in sync with the reality that every solicitation is a joint opportunity for the donor to give tzedaka and for the recipient to have an easier time running a not-for-profit org. (As someone recently told me, "the org. can't run on your good looks alone :-).)
 
By all news accounts, in the beginning of the year everyone FROZE in fear at what the year would bring, when ultimately it turned out not to be as bad as anticipated.
 
On our end, in fact it has been an excellent year programming-wise and participation-wise. The re-launch of Mommy and Me has been hugely successful. The Mitzvah Corps of Hebrew School are stronger than ever. The Minyan and Tefillin Club in particular has grown by leaps and bounds. The Torah class is pulling in larger numbers than we could have dreamed. High Holidays etc. etc.
 
But how did Clinton say it, "it's the economy stupid?" well, for us to continue to operate with the zest that we have been we need to boost our economy. Chabad of Peabody needs your stimulus. The CBO (Chabad Budget Office) has declared that we can end the year in the black THAT MEANS BREAK EVEN FINANCIALLY if we only manage to bring in $11,982.18 dollars before the end of the year. Considering that our budget is nearly $250,000.00 that is an accomplishment we are proud of.
 
Yes, we can do as many businesses are doing, rolling over the debt to the 2010 fiscal year, but why do that? We are a success and we associate with successful people and successful organizations work just a bit harder to make it happen.
 
SO, with your help, we ask that you consider one of the following options to help us with the shortfall. YOU CAN BE THE ONE TO MAKE IT HAPPEN!
 
1. Straight Donation (one time gift) click link www.jewishpeabody.com/donate
 
2. Join our Monthly givers in any amount click link  www.jewishpeabody.com/getchai
 
3. Do a Mitzvah A Day Campaign, give .18 cents a day with our NEW trademark eCHaritybox by clicking here. Download the application and set it to give a daily amount. .18 cents or more. click link http://chabadofpeabody.echaritybox.com/
 
4. Remember us in your will. (Not a fun topic but an important one.) You can save a bundle today by doing proper estate planning and remember Chabad of Peabody in your will. Talk to your financial adviser, as there are certain tax deductible distributions that expire this year. If you need an attorney or CPA to help with this, we can provide one for you.
 
5. As always, cars, trucks, boats, RV, property is tax-deductible to you and and worth money to us.
 
Just think about it.
 
This is an opportune time for us to say thank you for all those that are members of the monthly Chai Club, the annual Raffle participants the Echaritybox, the annual donors both known and anonymous.
 
WE COULDN'T DO IT WITHOUT YOU!
 
MAY YOU BE BLESSED WITH A REALLY HAPPY AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR!
 
RAIZEL AND NECHEMIA SCHUSTERMAN