top of page
Lifetime Seat Policy
The Ralph and Gloria Harary A”H Sanctuary
Congregation Beth Torah is proud to launch the lifetime seat enrollment process for our newly constructed Ralph and Gloria Harary A”H Sanctuary. Owning a lifetime seat is a
powerful way to invest in the future of Beth Torah while ensuring a dedicated place for your family’s prayer and presence in our new sanctuary. This policy outlines the structure, guidelines, and expectations around seat pricing, assignment, payment, and eligibility. Our goal is to offer members in good standing a fair and meaningful opportunity to secure a permanent place in our new sanctuary, reflective of your commitment to Beth Torah’s present and future.
Seat Pricing (One-Time Purchase)
Men’s Section (Year-Round Use)
- Standard Seats: $12,500
- First Two Rows & Aisle Seats: $18,000
Ladies’ Section (High Holiday Use Only)
- Standard Seats: $12,500
- First Row & Aisle Seats: $18,000
Note: Ladies’ seats are Permanent High Holiday Seats and are not assigned for weekly or year-round use.
Seat Request & Allocation Protocol
Only members in good standing will be permitted to enroll for and keep Lifetime Seats.
Please ensure any outstanding balances are paid in full to remain in good standing.
- All eligible members in good standing will receive the offer at the same time. All requests submitted during the 45-day open enrollment period will be treated equally and are NOT prioritized on a first-come, first-served basis.
- You may initially request up to 2 men's seats and 2 ladies’ seats.
- There is no guarantee of availability. This initial cap exists to maintain fairness during
the early stage of seat distribution.
- Each seat must be assigned to a named individual of the member family at the time of
request.
- You may indicate interest in additional seats during the initial registration by
submitting a deposit. If those seats are available at the close of the open enrollment period, they will be automatically fulfilled and considered final.
- After the 45-day open enrollment period, seat requests will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis. You may not select your seat location. Household seats will be grouped together. We will do our best to accommodate extended family members nearby, based on availability. Owning a lifetime seat is not required to pray at Beth Torah. Please only purchase what is necessary for your immediate family.
Deposit & Payment Terms
We strongly encourage full payment at the time of seat assignment to support the
synagogue’s financial planning. However, if you require flexibility, payment terms are
available with no questions asked. If terms are desired, the following schedule applies:
- A $1,000 deposit per seat is due at the time of request. Deposits are non-refundable
once a seat is issued.
- Balance for the first 2 men’s and 2 ladies’ seats per member may be paid in three installments:
- 1/3 due within 30 days of the close of open enrollment (by July 30, 2025), less any deposits received
- 1/3 due in June 2026
- 1/3 due in June 2027
- Any terms beyond this standard 3-year plan must be requested and approved in
advance.
- Additional seats beyond the initial limit or Premium Seats must be paid in full at the time of assignment.
- Non-compliance with the payment schedule may result in forfeiture of seat(s) without
refund.
Lifetime Seat Holder Rules
- Each seat must be assigned to a specific member's name (or household member)
- Multiple seats may only be owned by a member of their household (e.g., spouse,
unmarried children under 25).
- Married children or individuals over 25 must be members in their own right to hold or
retain a seat.
- Lifetime Seat Holders must remain members in good standing to maintain their seat
rights. If membership lapses or ends for any reason, the seats will be returned to Congregation Beth Torah and released into the available seat pool.
- Lifetime Seats are non-transferable and may not be sold, gifted, or reassigned.
- All seat sales are final. There are no refunds, returns, or credits on any seats, whether
partially paid or paid in full.
- All seats are subject to the synagogue’s bylaws, including policies on maintenance,
assessments, resale, inheritance, and other relevant provisions.
- Any ambiguity or dispute regarding the interpretation or application of this policy will
be resolved at the sole discretion of the Executive Committee.
- Each individual may occupy only one seat during the High Holidays.
- Any unoccupied seats will be temporarily released for synagogue use during the
holidays.
- Lifetime Seat Holders have the first right of refusal to assign their unused seat to an
extended family member for the holidays. During the initial open enrollment period, if the demand for seats exceeds availability, priority will be given to members who do not currently own a lifetime seat in any sanctuary under their own name.
Rabbinic Leadership & Use of Sanctuary
The assignment of specific rabbis to the Ralph and Gloria Harary A”H Sanctuary or any
other sanctuary is not fixed. The synagogue reserves the flexibility to adjust rabbinic
placement as needed to best serve the community. While we recognize this may be a consideration for some when purchasing seats, we believe strongly that the spiritual and communal value of each sanctuary is defined by our collective participation—not by any single assignment. Our goal is to create meaningful tefillah experiences across all spaces at Beth Torah.
Seat Release / Buyback Credit Policy
Should a Lifetime Seat Holder wish to relinquish an existing seat, the synagogue may offer a credit toward the purchase of a seat in another sanctuary, as follows:
Bailey Main Sanctuary (MS)
- Credit: The lesser of $4,000 or 50% of original price paid
The Stein Sanctuary (NS)
- Credit: The lesser of $3,000 or 50% of original price paid
Key Dates & Timeline
- Open Enrollment Begins: Thursday, May 16 at 9:00 AM
- Open Enrollment Closes: Sunday, June 30 at 11:59 PM
- Order Fulfillment Period: All seat requests submitted during open enrollment will be
reviewed and fulfilled by July 14, 2025.
- Additional Seat Requests: If seats remain after fulfillment, they will be offered based on
availability, and requests will be reviewed in the order they are received.
Please note: Submitting a request does not guarantee seat assignment. Priority will be
based on availability and the discretion of the synagogue. Payment instructions and
confirmations will be issued during the fulfillment period.
Questions or Additional Information
If you have any questions about your eligibility, seat options, or the enrollment process,
please visit our website at www.Beth-Torah.com to view the full Lifetime Seat Policy and
to access the Lifetime Seat Sales Form required to enroll for a seat. For further assistance, contact the synagogue office at SeatSales@Beth-Torah.com or call
(718) 252-9840. For common questions or further clarification, please refer to the accompanying Lifetime Seat FAQ.
A Note of Appreciation
We are deeply grateful for your commitment to Congregation Beth Torah. Choosing to
acquire a lifetime seat is a meaningful expression of dedication—both to our community’s future and to your family's enduring connection to our spiritual home.
A lifetime seat is more than a physical place — it represents your values, your prayers, and your bond with our community. It signifies not just where you sit, but what you stand for—a deep connection to prayer, tradition, and the legacy of Beth Torah. Thank you for being a vital part of our congregation and helping build the future of Beth Torah.
bottom of page