The United Synagogue

FAQs

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How do I join my local US Shul?

You can join online by clicking here and filling in the online form. Before you do this we recommend that you call the synagogue you are planning to join to see what they have to offer you and to confirm the cost of joining as these fees are set locally. Alternatively you can make an appointment with your local administrator to go into the synagogue office and join there.

Do I need to supply any documentation?

As membership to the United Synagogue is only available to persons of the Jewish Religion according to the rulings of the Office of the Chief Rabbi, you may be asked to provide additional documentation.

How much does it cost to become a member of a US Shul?

The US membership fee is broken down into two parts. The first is the contribution that is used in the running of your shul. This is set individually by each shul. The second part is your contribution to the Funeral Expense Scheme (FES), that is a set rate across the US, dependant on age.

Are my (single) children covered under my membership?

Children are covered by parents’ membership up to the age of 21. Once they have reached the age of 21 they must join in their own right. For this, Tribe have created a special membership for singles aged 21-30 called Tribe Community Membership (TCM) that offers all the benefits of synagogue membership plus added lifestyle benefits such as discounts from kosher restaurants. The cost of TCM is uniform across all our member synagogues at just £5 a month including FES. To find out more about TCM visit Tribe TCM.

Can I transfer my membership from one US Shul to another US Shul?

To transfer between US shuls is fairly straightforward. You can fill in a Transfer of Membership form online or contact the shul you want to transfer to. Before the transfer can be completed any arrears must be cleared.

I am a member of the US but my wife is not a member in her own right – is she covered for burial rights? Does she need to join? How much does she have to pay?

Your wife is covered for burial rights as long as she is halachically Jewish and FES is being paid for her under your membership. It is not necessary for her to join as a member in her own right. However, if she joins in her own right she will obtain voting rights, be able to stand for election, serve on committees (Board of Management etc). Most shuls charge a nominal amount for a ‘Wife of Member’ joining in her own right.

I am having financial difficulties and find it difficult / cannot afford to pay shul fees – what can I do?

If you are having difficulties the first step is to contact your shul’s Financial Representative who is responsible for such issues. Your situation will be dealt with in the utmost confidence and sympathetically.

I am getting married with a US Shul – who do I contact? How much does it cost?

To find out about getting married within the US, please visit our Getting Married section.

Could you explain the Funeral Expense Scheme (FES) in more detail?

FES is the US scheme to ensure that there is a place for you at one of the US cemeteries at no additional cost to loved ones. Payment into the scheme must be continuous and for people joining over the age of 34 there is an entrance fee into the scheme. The Entrance Fee is set on a sliding scale for applicants wishing to join the FES (based on age and marital status). The Entrance Fee is calculated by the age that will be reached on your next birthday – it is based on your husband’s age if you are married.

The current (2006) FES rates are:

• £7 for members aged 21-29 (married couple = £14 based on husband’s age).
• £57 for members aged over 29 (married couple = £106 based on husband’s age).

What should I do if I cannot afford the FES Entrance Fee quoted?

You will need to contact Melvyn Hartog, Director Of Burial on 020 8343 6283.

I've heard that some people pay veteran FES contributions; what are these?

Veteran FES rates are 50% of the standard FES rate. This rate is available to members who have been paying their FES contribution continuously for 50 years or more. You can apply for this discounted rate by contacting Michelle Mervish in the US Membership Department on 020 8343 5687.

If I unfortunately have to bury a member of my family who is not a member of the United Synagogue's Funeral Expense Scheme, how much will it cost?

The current cost of a burial at Waltham Abbey cemetery is £5,975 and at Bushey cemetery it is £8,100.

I am currently a member of another Synagogue organisation (Federation/Reform/Masorti Synagogue etc). Can I transfer my burial rights to the United Synagogue?

Unfortunately you can not transfer and will need to become a member of the United Synagogue. Joining will include an Entrance Fee to join our FES, if applicable (based on age and marital status from the age of 34 onwards). An FES Entrance Fee is not applicable for members under the age of 34.

My child is mentally handicapped – how can I cover him/her for burial?

There is a Special United Synagogue Burial Scheme linked to Norwood/Ravenswood . The current cost is a one-off payment of £750.00 for a prepaid funeral (Burial in either Bushey/Waltham Abbey Cemetery). To find out more contact contact Carol Marks at Norwood/Ravenswood.