Privacy Policy

Information We Collect

• Contact form submissions: name, email address, phone (if provided), and message content.
• Newsletter subscription: email address for temple updates and announcements.
• Technical details (e.g., IP address, browser/device type) for security, abuse prevention, and site diagnostics.
• Donation and membership submissions: name, email, phone (if provided), and mailing address.

We do not collect payment card numbers, bank account credentials, or other financial details directly. Any such data is handled by third-party processors (e.g., PayPal, Zelle) in accordance with their privacy policies. We also do not collect biometric data, precise geolocation, or sensitive government identifiers.

How We Use Information

• Responding to questions or requests submitted through our forms.
• Sending newsletters and announcements to subscribers who have opted in.
• Coordinating volunteers, events, and community programs when you provide information.
• Recording donations or membership contributions for acknowledgment and tax receipts.
• Operating, maintaining, and improving our website and community services.
• Protecting the site from spam, abuse, and security threats (e.g., reCAPTCHA, security logging).

Membership & Volunteers

We maintain a membership directory for internal temple operations and communication. This directory is not public and is not shared outside the organization. Access is limited to designated board members, the treasurer, and authorized committee volunteers who require the information to conduct temple-related activities.

Volunteer assignments (such as periodic temple cleanup rosters) may be prepared using membership lists. For coordination purposes, these rosters may be posted within the temple premises or shared by email with members. They are limited to temple activities and are not published publicly online.

Event registrations (such as RSVPs or ticketing for cultural or religious programs) may collect basic details including name, contact information, and number of attendees. In some cases, meal preferences or other event-related details may be requested. This information is used only for planning and managing events and is not shared externally except as necessary to organize the program.

Donations & Payment Processing

When you make a donation or membership contribution, we may collect your name, email, phone (if provided), and mailing address to issue receipts, acknowledgments, membership confirmations, and required annual tax documentation.

We accept donations via Zelle, PayPal, cash, and check. If you choose PayPal or Zelle, your payment card or bank account details are processed directly by those services. We do not receive or store your financial account information. Please refer to the privacy policy of your chosen payment provider (e.g., PayPal or Zelle) for details on how they handle your data.

Donation records are retained to meet IRS requirements. Annual tax receipts are typically sent in January (or early February) for contributions made in the prior calendar year. Receipts are emailed when possible, and mailed if email delivery cannot be completed.

We may thank donors or sponsors publicly in certain cases (e.g., newsletters, event acknowledgments). Donors may request anonymity, and we will honor such requests.

Email Newsletter & Unsubscribe

If you subscribe to our newsletter, we will store your email address to send periodic updates about temple news and events. You may unsubscribe at any time using the link provided (when available) or by contacting us directly. We do not send promotional or commercial marketing unrelated to our community activities.

Contact Form Handling

Messages submitted through the contact form are shared with designated volunteers or administrators so we can respond to your inquiry. We retain these messages only as long as necessary to address your request or as required for record-keeping.

reCAPTCHA and Third Parties

We use Google reCAPTCHA to protect our forms from spam and abuse. Use of reCAPTCHA is subject to the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By using our forms, you acknowledge this protection.

Cookies and Analytics

We may use essential cookies to ensure this site functions properly. If we introduce analytics or non-essential cookies in the future, we will update this policy and provide appropriate notice.

Sharing

We do not sell your personal information. We may share limited data with trusted service providers (such as email, hosting, or accounting software providers) solely to operate our website, bookkeeping, and communications. These providers may only process data on our behalf and in accordance with our instructions.

Data Retention

We retain information only for as long as needed for the purposes described (e.g., active subscriptions, donation record-keeping, or pending inquiries) or as required by law. Donation and membership records must be retained for IRS reporting and to issue annual tax receipts. After retention requirements are met, we securely delete the data.

Security

We care about keeping your information safe and use reasonable steps to protect it. Only volunteers and committee members who need the information for temple activities are given access. Like any website or email system, there is always some risk when information is sent or stored electronically, but we do our best to look after it responsibly.

Children’s Privacy

Our website is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information directly from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided personal information, please contact us so we can delete it promptly.

If a parent or guardian provides a child’s name or related details as part of an event registration or form, we treat this information as part of the parent’s submission and use it only for the specific purpose for which it was provided (e.g., program registration or participation). We do not create separate records for children or use this information beyond its intended context.

Your Choices

• Unsubscribe from emails (via link or by contacting us).
• Request access, correction, or deletion of your information, subject to legal requirements.
• Choose not to submit forms—though this may limit our ability to respond.

Please note: we cannot delete donation or membership records immediately where retention is required by the IRS for tax purposes. Once retention obligations expire, we securely delete the data.

Community Groups (Facebook & WhatsApp)

We maintain private Facebook and WhatsApp groups to share event photos, announcements, reminders, and community discussions. Participation is voluntary. Content you post (messages, photos, reactions) is visible to other approved members and is also subject to each platform’s privacy policies.

• Photos: Event photos may include attendees. Contact us if you wish a photo removed.
• Announcements: Used for schedule changes, volunteer requests, and updates.
• Member Posts: Members may share relevant information; moderators may remove off-topic or inappropriate posts.
• Opt-Out / Removal: You may leave the groups at any time. We will honor requests to remove your content when possible, but platform limitations (e.g., deletion time limits, screenshots, or forwarded content) may prevent complete removal.
• Platform Policies: Facebook and WhatsApp may collect additional data; please review their privacy policies directly.

Categories of Personal Information & Purposes

• Contact Information (name, email, phone) – responding to inquiries, coordinating events.
• Mailing Address – donation receipts, membership confirmations, required record-keeping.
• Subscription Email – sending newsletters or updates you requested.
• User-Generated Content (posts, photos) – community engagement and event sharing.
• Technical Data (IP, device, browser) – security, spam prevention, reliability.
• Volunteer / Event Details (if provided) – organizing programs and cultural events.

We do NOT directly collect or store credit card numbers, bank account details, biometric data, or government identifiers. Any payment information is processed securely by third-party providers (e.g., PayPal, Zelle).

Photo & Media Use

Event photos may be shared on our website, in our email newsletters, or through community channels (e.g., Facebook, WhatsApp). We strive to present our community respectfully. If you or a family member appear in a photo you wish removed, contact us and we will make reasonable efforts to take it down (copies already shared may still exist).

No Sale or Targeted Advertising

We do not sell personal information and do not share data for targeted or behavioral advertising.

Your U.S. State Privacy Rights

As a small nonprofit religious organization, most state consumer privacy laws governing large for-profit entities do not directly apply to us. Even so, we strive to honor reasonable requests concerning the limited information we handle.

• Access / Copy – Request a summary of basic contact, subscription, or donation data you provided.
• Deletion – Request deletion of contact form history or unsubscribe from communications (subject to legal record-keeping needs).
• Correction – Ask us to update inaccurate contact details.
• Opt-Out – Not applicable; we do not sell or share data for advertising.
• Appeal – If we deny a request (rare), resubmit with the word “Appeal” for re-review.

Submit requests through our Contact form (indicate “Privacy Request”). We may confirm requests with a reply from the same email address to prevent misuse.

International Visitors

Our site is U.S.-based and intended for a U.S. community audience. By using it from outside the U.S., you consent to processing in the United States, where data laws may differ from your country.

This Privacy Policy and any disputes are governed by the laws of the United States and the State of Wisconsin.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. Significant changes will be marked with a new “Last updated” date. Your continued use after an update constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

Contact (Privacy Requests)

To submit a privacy-related question or request, please use the Contact form on our website and specify that it is a “Privacy Request.” Requests will be reviewed by designated volunteers or administrators.

This policy is provided for transparency and does not create legal or contractual rights beyond applicable law. It should not be considered legal advice.