“hegemony of the modern synagogue. These are the events that surround birth, coming of age, marriage (including divorce), and death. Many synagogues will name babies for parents who are not members, presuming that one day they might become members. And… — Kerry M. Olitzky Copy Share Image
“The contemporary needs of North American Jews are directly tied to the trajectory of the immigrant experience in North America. The generation now coming of age is the first generation we may call fully American, American Jews.” — Kerry M. Olitzky Copy Share Image
“regardless of background, and is geared specifically for adult beginner learners. Also, the program is advertised in secular media.” — Kerry M. Olitzky Copy Share Image
“thought outside the religious realm. 3. Jewish values, particularly because they are often manifest in concrete ways, are of particular interest to those in the marketplace of ideas. 4. For Jewish thought to speak to the masses, it has to be accessible and cannot remain hidden within the walls of Jewish communal institutions. 5. Like Jewish thought, Jewish culture has… — Kerry M. Olitzky Copy Share
“5. It is just as important to establish groups of followers who are seeking change as it is to foster leaders who will be instrumental in making change. Reflection and Discussion Questions for Synagogue Leaders 1. How do you help large numbers of people navigate their journey from one institution to another and still keep that journey intimate and personal?… — Kerry M. Olitzky Copy Share
“1. How can synagogue leaders transform those events already planned into Public Space Judaism events? 2. How can we reallocate our human and fiscal resources to make Public Space Judaism events a priority? 3. Who among our active participants and members would be most effective planning and implementing such events? Public Space Judaism events are only one way of turning… — Kerry M. Olitzky Copy Share
“The challenge facing the synagogue is not an increase in the cost of membership. The challenge facing the synagogue is a decreasing cost benefit… — Kerry M. Olitzky Copy Share Image
“its current form. Yet, all is not lost. The experience of being fully American has also motivated large segments of millennials to embrace religious… — Kerry M. Olitzky Copy Share Image
“their feet. And that vote may help them march away from the synagogue if the synagogue doesn’t find effective ways to engage them.” — Kerry M. Olitzky Copy Share Image
“what I call Destination Jewish Culture. These programs are also low barrier and held in secular spaces. However, they usually require some level of planned participation (a set start time and destination event) and may charge a nominal fee (though no more than what would be charged at a secular equivalent). Good examples of programs that might fit in this… — Kerry M. Olitzky Copy Share
“to serve the majority of the Jewish community, even its entirety, rather than just those who are members of Jewish institutions.” — Kerry M. Olitzky Copy Share Image
“Some synagogues are simply calling themselves community institutions rather than membership institutions that require payment of dues to become a member. These synagogues suggest that all locals are members of the synagogue and therefore welcome to use its services or the services of its professional staff. Like online services that are free, these congregations would charge only for upgrades or… — Kerry M. Olitzky Copy Share
“While the American synagogue was built with the financial support of what are commonly called three-day-a-year Jews, referring to those who may attend the synagogue for worship only on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, that generation of occasional synagogue attendees is losing interest in the synagogue. Thus, either people are fully embracing the synagogue—and willing to support and participate in… — Kerry M. Olitzky Copy Share
