We were pleased to be able to keep prices and URJ member-related discounts unchanged last year for all URJ titles. This policy has been important to ensure a smooth transition from the URJ Press to Behrman House. As we integrate the URJ materials into our systems and begin to upgrade elements of the curricula (for example, the newly released Mitkadem OLC Edition and new versions of some CHAI workbooks), we are also reviewing prices and discounts across the board.
In thinking about prices and discounts, we considered the following factors:
1. Budget constraints. We recognize that schools and congregations operate with limited budgets. We seek, at all times, to keep our prices as low as possible.
2. Non-discrimination. Behrman House serves schools and congregations of all types and sizes, and we have never given preferential pricing based on organizational affiliation or size.
3. Sustainability. We set prices that allow us to sustain continuing cycles of creation, support, and reinvestment. As a small, independent press, we (and our authors, illustrators, and other contributors) depend on the educational and economic success of our materials to keep us viable and support the creation of new works. Our prices must support the cost of paper and ink, and the cost of that development work. Importantly, the grants and subsidies that may be available to other organizations to support curriculum development are typically not available to us. With special attention to URJ Press materials, we need to be able to support activities and programs that previously were offered below cost or even free because they were financed by gifts and grants, or by other funds (most notably by MUM dues paid within the URJ community.)
With these factors in mind, we have revised the pricing and discount structure for titles originated by the URJ to reflect our egalitarian non-discrimination policy and these economic realities. Our plan is to reduce the list prices of student components of the key series CHAI, Mitkadem, Chaverim B’Ivrit, and Parashat HaShavuah, and at the same time reduce or eliminate discounts previously linked to movement affiliation or congregational size. Our goal is to create fair and equitable pricing to everyone—allowing us to offer books and software to the educational community as a whole, while retaining the economic viability that has allowed us to serve you for so many years.
Summary of Pricing and Discount Changes
· Reduce list prices of Mitkadem, Chaverim B’Ivrit, and Parashat Hashavuah student materials by 10% in 2016.
· Reduce list prices of CHAI workbooks by 5% in 2016.
· Provide discounts of up to 30% for purchase of full sets of Mitkadem Ramot 3-23, Parashat Hashavuah, and CHAI curriculum core, and for carton quantities of individual titles of Chaverim B’Ivrit.
· Eliminate most URJ affiliation discounts beginning in 2016.
· Eliminate URJ affiliation discounts for small congregations over two years, by reducing it to 15% in 2016 and ending it in 2017.
· Add CHAI workbooks to the list of student materials eligible for the Behrman House 5% educator discount, beginning in 2016.
If you have additional questions about the transition or price changes, you can consult our FAQ page, or contact us. We'll be happy to answer all of your questions.
