 |
THERE'S
NO PLACE LIKE HOME
ASHKENAZ ANNUAL FUND CAMPAIGN 2007-2008
What have been your peak moments of the past year?
When
we ask ourselves that question, we often think of those with whom
we shared those moments, both happy and sad. We realize how much
our communities of family and friends create a sense of home for
us. And so when we ask ourselves, what have been Ashkenaz's
peak moments of the past year?, we think of you, and the
many community members who have created a year of significant milestones
for Ashkenaz
At
the Summer Solstice, Ashkenaz celebrated our 10th anniversary of
reopening. If you were one of the hundreds with us that night,
you'll remember the spontaneous moment when audience members jumped
up in the middle of Vicki Virk and Dholrhythms' Bhangra performance
and began to dance along. It was a true expression of David Nadel's
original vision to provide a place for people of all cultures and
beliefs to share music and dance.
It
was a moment to honor the efforts of the community activists, staff,
volunteers, musicians, dancers, patrons, and donors who brought
Ashkenaz back into the light as a nonprofit 10 years ago. Thank
you all!
In
April 2007, Ashkenaz paid off our mortgage loan. WE OWN OUR OWN
HOME! Because of your support - your gifts of money, time, and
love for music, dance, and our community home - we are, all of us,
true homeowners.
Some
of you have worked for years to achieve this. Thank you!
Some of you have just come to Ashkenaz for the first time this year,
and realized you were somewhere very special. Thank you!
Now
as homeowners, we, our community, are entrusted with the caretaking
of our home. It's a green thing! We are excited to announce that
we will be exploring a project to "green" Ashkenaz. We
will research and evaluate ways and means to provide us with a facility
that lives up to the responsibilities and necessities of living
sustainably. It won't happen overnight; the first steps are sharing
our goals with you, researching and developing a plan that we can
report to you, and asking for your gifts to make this possible.
All
year long, Ashkenaz celebrates peak moments. Whether your memories
of Ashkenaz are new or old, we love to hear the stories
of that first special time at Ashkenaz, hearing that incredible
set of music that still gives us pleasure just to think of it years
later
meeting that special someone who went on to share and enrich
our lives in immeasurable ways
watching the smiles on the faces of the kids at one of our
many children's events
or just experiencing the simple joy of dancing to a style
of music we've never heard before.
Ashkenaz is a place to hold lifecycle events. Ashkenaz has
seen recent months punctuated by several poignant lifecycle events.
We've had weddings of people who met and became engaged at Ashkenaz,
and weddings of people who, as small children, came with their parents
to Ashkenaz. We've celebrated the joy of new birth, and mourned
together on more than one occasion the loss of beloved friends and
family. Over 35 years, we have created a sacred space to explore,
celebrate, and grieve.
In
2008, Ashkenaz had its own milestone event. On March 15, we celebrated
the actual day David Nadel first opened the doors 35 years ago.
The free event featuring music and dance performances from
Balkan, zydeco, Caribbean, bellydance, and other traditions
was a time to enjoy together the house that David built, the house
that we have all worked long and hard to make a home - to own, to
share, and to care for, together.
We
ask you now to continue to support Ashkenaz with your financial
gift, as we move forward
As
always, we continue our unique, wide-ranging programming of world
music and dance for all ages. We are exploring new bands, new genre
series to present, new kids' programming, and new audiences to reach.
We seek to protect and honor traditional music and dance, while
embracing and introducing "new traditions" to wider, more
diverse audiences.
This
is the Ashkenaz our community has come to rely upon, and this is
the Ashkenaz we will always endeavor to provide. To achieve these
goals, your continued support is vital. Last year our community
generously and joyously raised close to $25,000 in our Solstice
to Solstice campaign. Even so, those individual contributions comprised
just 5% of our budget. Our goal is to increase this figure, for
without the support of caring individual donors, the simple truth
is that we could not survive. It takes all of us bringing our resources
of money, time, and talents together to manifest David Nadel's vision
on a daily basis.
Thank
you for your contribution, which together with all of our community's,
is what keeps Ashkenaz going, growing, and moving into tomorrow.
The future has never looked brighter. Or greener
Peace to you all,
Jasmine
Brown
President, Board of Directors
Larry
Dekker
Executive Director
Donate
to Ashkenaz
Donations
by credit card may be made via the website by:
-
Clicking here
- Mail
a check or your credit card information
to:
Ashkenaz
Music & Dance Community Center
1317 San Pablo Ave.
Berkeley, CA 94702
If
sending credit card information, be sure to include your name
as written on the credit card, address, telephone number, credit
card number and expiration date. We accept Visa and MasterCard.
- Donate
with your credit card by phone.
Call Larry Dekker
Executive Director
510-525-5099, ext. 3#
Matching
Gifts
Many
companies will match gifts from employees, employee's partners,
and retirees. A match will increase your gift and further spread
the word about Ashkenaz. Please ask your employer whether your company
has a matching gifts program. All gifts are acknowledged with a
thank-you letter outlining your tax-deductible contribution.
Donate
Your Car to Ashkenaz
Eliminate
the hassle of selling your own used car by donating it to Ashkenaz.
You have the satisfaction of making a contribution to Ashkenaz while
receiving a tax deduction and saving yourself time and trouble.
Just call toll-free (866) 273-5898 to learn more about the program
and to donate your car, motorcycle, recreational vehicle or boat.
|
 |