March 2013 President's Post

The congregational meeting on Sunday, March 24, in the social hall, at 9:30 a.m., will be more than the usual report from the Board of Trustees. Instead, we will engage in a congregational conversation. We want to know where you are in our rabbinic transition, and as we search for our new temple educator, we are interested to learn about your vision for our religious school. In addition, we can begin a courageous conversation on our commitment to the future success of our temple. This is not always easy, but is both important and, ultimately, a way to enrich our congregation.

Let us begin the courageous conversation by quoting Rabbi Aaron Bisno, who says: “The sacred ground upon which we have built our house is shifting beneath our feet.” Let’s admit that past assumptions about the sustainability of temple life is now undermined by new patterns of affiliation and changing demographics. It’s no secret that the profound economic downturn, coupled with the societal realities redefining our Jewish world, has resulted in dwindling synagogue membership.

Therefore, the expectation upon which our financial model and budget has long relied – membership fees and donations – is suspect. The costs associated with serving our temple community and the expense of operating our building increases each year, while the income we generate from membership dues and donations, at best, remains stable. This unworkable formula causes leadership to shift focus away from a transformative vision to merely one of sustainability. Most every Jewish institution and organization is grappling with what this will mean for its future, for its staff, and for its programming priorities.

As a house of worship and a holy community, we hold dear our spiritual values, and yet, when facing a financial challenge, we must display the courage to entertain difficult discussions even when we fear it may lead to difficult decisions. This includes considering shared services with other temples, supplementing our cost structure with more coordinated volunteer efforts, and reviewing all our options to create more cost effective programs. We must also find ways of creating new revenue streams from our building, and we must be aggressive in our fundraising.

We are faced with a budget deficit caused not by fiscal imprudence, but rather by the shifting ground beneath our feet. The deficit is not impossible to overcome. We must receive a communal helping hand to serve as a bridge, to gently place us safely on the other side, until our turnaround plans and new revenue streams begin to flow. The resulting three-year period may require certain visions and dreams to be deferred until our fiscal house is in order. Until then, we must be open-minded to imagine new possibilities, to consider new options, and to accept an inevitable new reality that, during more robust economic times, might have been unthinkable.

Let’s admit it; the ground is shifting. The purpose, the role, and the structure of synagogue life needs reimagining as alternative models of affiliation and participation are already emerging in our community. The innovations taking place on social media enable Jewish gatherings to occur in less formal settings. Congregations within movements are merging and congregations across movements are coexisting in one building.

As the landscape changes and evolves, one constant will always remain: Temple Beth El is a strong, cohesive community that has proven time and again to be resilient. In the past, whenever presented with a difficult hurdle, we faced it together and as one community we always prevailed – and we will prevail once more. Today’s challenge is great, the need is real, and yet, thanks to this opportunity for creative thinking, the future is bright with amazing possibilities. We can and we should feel optimistic, because we have the strength, the resolve, and the resources to emerge again as a vibrant and meaningful part of our members’ lives.

Indeed, let’s all be reminded of the fact that there is so much goodness and community building that is happening right now at Temple Beth El for which can be proud – in the worship, education, programs, and deeds that make our world a better place. Temple Beth El has always, and will always, enhance people’s lives through Judaism, and we will continue to do so perpetually, for generations, if we stick together and work together for the common good.

I urge you to please participate in the upcoming courageous congregational conversation. See you on Sunday, March 24, in the social hall, at 9:30 a.m. All are welcome.



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