What Next?
How Has the Pandemic Changed Your Congregation for Good?

Congregational Change, Culture Frame, Interviews, Jewish Synagogues, Ritual & Worship, Theology Frame, United States & Canada

If ‘congregation’ implies gathering, March 2020 created a seismic shift that has fundamentally altered congregational life. If we are able to return to pre-pandemic habits sometime soon, which of the new habits will remain?
Thinking about that question will require the sort of careful assessment long-time congregation watcher Jack Wertheimer has offered in a recent essay, “How Will Synagogues Survive?”. He comes to his wisdom by asking good questions and gathering good data.

New Shabbat Gatherings – Over Dinner

Culture Frame, Food, Jewish Synagogues, Money & Resources, Nones (Non-affiliates)

Pop-Up Shabbat  is a pop-up restaurant inspired by Jewish culture and tradition in Brooklyn, NY. Each gathering lasts 3-4 hours and includes mingling, family-style dining, music, sometimes dancing, and a bit of Shabbat tradition. Partnerships with local institutions such as Brooklyn Brewery and Fleischman’s butchery assured a delicious menu, and tickets purchased in advance, ensure…

Pay What You Want: An Examination of Dues

Commitment & Belonging, Jewish Synagogues, Money & Resources, Resources Frame

The New York Times posted an article about the changing sources of income for some synagogues. Rather than requiring membership dues based on family size, age, or income, some synagogues are now asking people to voluntarily pledge money to the congregation. How congregations bring in money is an important conversation in most religious communities. But…

Examining a Jewish Enclave: Ecology and Resources

Buildings & Spaces, Ecology Frame, Jewish Synagogues, Resources Frame

Michelle Boorstein at The Washington Post wrote an article about a small Jewish community in Western Maryland. Cumberland Maryland had been a Jewish enclave in the Appalachian Mountains, with four synagogues and many Jewish-owned stores and businesses. But now the Jewish community has mostly left, likely to larger cities, with only around 50 families —…

Organized Religion and the Rise of the ‘Nones’

Age & Generations, Authority & Power, Culture Frame, Ecology Frame, Jewish Synagogues, Nones (Non-affiliates)

Rabbi Eric Yoffie published a commentary on Huffington Post outlining what he sees as an over-exaggeration of the impact of the rising number of people — particularly young people — who report having no religious affiliation. Rabbi Yaffie explains that many American congregations remain strong. He writes, Also, American congregations are remarkably strong. (Robert Putnam and…