RJ Blog

Twenty-eight years ago, Temple Aleph Bet (TBA), a 120 member congregation in a small city in the Northeast, decided it was through with renting space and was very desirous of a permanent home. TBA purchased its first building, and after a few years, funds were raised to pay off the initial mortgage as well as to renovate and make TBA’s new home a sacred space. Along the way, as “things needed fixing” (painting, new carpeting, a new refrigerator), specific congregants were asked to make one time contributions of no more than a few thousand dollars, and gladly did so. Fast [...]

by David KatowitzURJ Congregational Financial Resource Development Specialist. “It’s like one giant family reunion!” That is how Rabbi Mari Chernow of Temple Chai in Phoenix, Arizona described the High Holy Days in a You Tube video sent to her congregants last year a few weeks before Rosh HaShanah. Congregants at synagogues throughout North America and the world will soon be coming together for prayer and community. With aspirations and hopes for a year of continued good health and personal fulfillment. At this time of year, so many people are really in a “synagogue state of mind”. What amazes me is [...]

by David Katowitz It’s hard to believe that the High Holy Days are just a few weeks away! Those of us involved in congregational life know that this is a time when congregants are in a synagogue frame of mind. The coming weeks will bring many opportunities for members to engage in congregational life: at services, in the sukkah, and at numerous educational and social programs offered during the High Holy Day season. Studies have shown that this is the time of year when Jews are most philanthropic. The dues and other financial commitments our members pay are not enough to [...]