WIRT FOUNDATION OFFERS MATCHING DONATION !

October 27, 2008

To:  Members and Friends of Bay City Jewish Community Association, a Michigan
non-profit religious institution (aka Temple Israel)

     The purpose of this letter is to advise you that the Jack and Alice Wirt Family Foundation (the "Wirt Foundation") has made a generous offer to Temple Israel to match all contributions made to it by its Members and Friends, on the following terms:

1. The maximum amount to be contributed by the Wirt Foundation is Fifty Thousand ($50,000.00); however, if less than fifty thousand dollars is contributed, the Wirt Foundation will match all money so contributed;
   
   
2. Pledges made by Members and Friends must be paid by December 1, 2009, to qualify for a matching gift;
   
   
3. Income from the gifts to the Endowment Fund, pursuant to the match offer (including the amounts paid by the Wirt Foundation) may be used for such purposes as the Board of Trustees may determine.
   
   

     As you all know, our present dues structure has established the top dues at $3,000.00.  Approximately 17 Members pay dues at that level.  One of those Members recently passed away, and approximately 10 of those 17 Members are more than 70 years old.  Another Member has advised they will move permanently from this area in the near future.  It seems obvious that we should all join in to make a reasonable pledge so that we can obtain the entire $50,000.00 offered by the Wirt Foundation.

     Our endowment fund was started many years ago, by ten Members (who are all "up in years" or deceased), who contributed $10,000.00 each.  It has grown over the years, by reinvestment of income, and occasional gifts from Friends and Members of Temple Israel.  Making a pledge will give an opportunity to all Members and Friends to become contributors to the Endowment Fund.

     Please help, by completing and signing the enclosed Gift Pledge, and returning it in the enclosed stamped envelope to Sandy, at Temple Israel, as soon as it is convenient for you to do so.

     If you have any questions, please contact the office.

Thank you.