Ohel Eidot CHeMDaT”A is not simply another synagogue.

Founded by Rabbi Shais Rishon—an Orthodox African-American rabbi, author, educator, and thought leader whose work sits at the intersection of faith, race, and Jewish identity—Ohel Eidot CHeMDaT”A is a sanctuary carved out of history, memory, and necessity. For African American and Caribbean Jews, belonging has too often been conditional, visibility too often negotiated, and sacred space too often borrowed. This is the much needed answer to that long inheritance of erasure.

A traditionalist Modern Orthodox synagogue for African American and Caribbean Jews and welcoming to all. OEC is grounded firmly in halakhic practice, where inherited Jewish tradition and Black soul meet—authentically fused as mutual intensification. A place where African Diaspora Jews can grow unapologetically, freely thrive in evolution, and elevate identity through celebration of excellence.

Ohel Eidot CHeMDaT”A is more than a congregation—it is a declaration that African American and Caribbean Jews are integral to the unfolding of Jewish history. A momentous tent rising in Washington, DC, where tradition is preserved, identity is dignified, and a future is built in full covenantal voice.

Where Your Support Goes

This campaign supports the foundational infrastructure and first year of dignified operation for the first mainstream Orthodox African American synagogue in Washington, DC.

I. One-Time Start-Up Costs (Sacred Infrastructure)(Purchases that last multiple years)

Tangible ritual and communal objects that turn a sacred space into a sanctuary.

Ritual Textiles & Prayer Materials — $15,800

• 30 tallitot (prayer shawls)

• 30 kippot

• 30 Siddurim

• 30 Chumashim (Torah books)

• 30 women’s head coverings

• Ritual consumables starter stock (candles, wine, challah, accessories)

Furniture, Sanctuary Setup & Etiquette — $7,700

• 100 chairs

• Portable mechitza (halakhic partition)

• Cell-phone pouches (to preserve Shabbat atmosphere)

Torah Scroll — $5,000

• Rental of a kosher Sefer Torah

TOTAL ONE-TIME START-UP COSTS: $28,500 (For a functional synagogue environment)

II. Annual Operating Costs (Making It Real, Every Week) (Recurring institutional expenses)

Sacred Space — $62,400

• For Friday night and Shabbat day

• Holidays & Life Cycles

• Special Community Events

• Utilities/Maintenance

Shabbat & Holiday Meals — $85,800: Per Shabbat (for ~30 people) (These are kosher, dignified communal meals—not potlucks. Meals are how Jewish community is built.)

• Oneg Shabbat

• Friday night dinner

• Kiddush luncheon

• Seudah shlishit

• Melava malka

Security — $40,200

• Two professional guards for services and all events

• Essential for Jewish institutions in the current climate

Ushers & Hospitality Staff — $31,200

• Welcoming, seating, meal service, and logistics

• Ensures accessibility, dignity, and safety

• We black. There's gonna be ushers.

‍Rabbinic, Administrative, Bookkeeping, Staffing & Support — $85,000

• 3 Eidot CheMDaT”A Rabbis (1 FT/ 2PT)

• 1 Eidot CHeMDaT”A Hazzan (PT)

• 1 Program Director (PT)

• 1 Administrative Assistant (PT)

• 1 Bookkeeper (IC)

Operations & Community Infrastructure — $22,000

• Insurance

• Website, CRM, mailing systems

• Printing, flyers, programs

• Ritual consumables restock

II. Annual Holiday/Cultural Programming Costs

Jewish Holiday Events $30,000

• High Holidays Lunch & Learn (the Sunday prior to every Holiday; virtually & in-person)

• High Holiday Community Events (for every major & minor Jewish Holiday; virtually & in-person)

• Books, Materials, and Educational Resources/Support

African American Events $3,000 (sponsorship and collaborative events)

• Federal/DC Govt Holidays: Juneteenth, Emancipation Day, MLK Day

• Black History Month

• Rosa Parks Day, Harriet Tubman Day, Loving Day

• Black Maternal Health Week, National Black Male Health Day, National Black Men’s Mental Health

Day, National Black Mental Health Professionals Day

Jewish Enrichment Education $10,400

• Makhom T’Shuvah Jewish Literacy

• Qol HaNeshama

• The Chag Roots Project

• S’fat Ivrit

• Torah U'Mesorah

TOTAL ANNUAL OPERATING COSTS: $370,000

IV. RESERVES. (For the unexpected on an As/If needed basis)

Savings $40,000 (to accumulate a minimum of six months of monthly expenses)

• In-House Emergencies

• National/Global Crisis Response

• Urgent Community Member Support

Maaser $40,000

• Community Aide/Assistance

• Organizational Support for Trusted Partners

• Scholarships, Grants making, Awards

TOTAL FIRST-YEAR BUDGET (START-UP + OPERATIONS) $28,500 (one-time) + $370,000 (annual) = $398,500

TOTAL FIRST YEAR BUDGET + RESERVES = $478,500

Every contribution is a seed—cultivated with accountability, strategic planning, and the greatest care. Those roots become Torah access, pastoral support, cultural programming, and community outreach that extends beyond the sanctuary walls.

To give is to be counted among the blessings that flow inward—

and among the blessings that pour outward.

You are funding more than just a synagogue.

You are helping a people claim space in their own tradition, in their own city, in their own voice.

You are helping a tent rise—one that shelters, teaches, and nurtures outward.

Kol hakavod!

To learn more, visit: www.oheleidotchemdata.org