November 2012

Dear Friends,

Last month, in addition to my work at Sha’arei Shalom, I began working at a Temple on the North Shore as a grassroots community organizer. My job there is to help the congregation think together about how to transform their community from the bottom up, to build relationships, strengthen leadership, and increase participation.

In my first two months, I have met with dozens of congregants, listening to their thoughts on what they want out of Jewish life, what is going well in their congregation, and what could be better.
I tell you all this in order to share the following observation: Sha’arei Shalom has much of what other congregations dream of.

This other community is strong in many ways. They have almost 10 times as many members as we do. They are thriving financially. They have an outstanding staff, and a smart and committed board. But, as is common in most synagogues around the country, about 75% of the community is unengaged, and most only come on the High Holidays.

The congregants tell me stories of the good old days when they were smaller, and everyone knew each other. They reminisce about what it was like when Jews were less of a majority in their area, such that they felt they had to stick together. They remember a time when a majority of congregants pitched in to help make events happen.

It is in this context that I often find myself bragging about Sha’arei Shalom, and using our experience to remind people that it is still possible to create a welcoming, vibrant, and active community. I tell the North Shore congregants that at Sha’arei Shalom, a significant percentage of the families actually come for Shabbat services. I tell them how non-Jews come and add their unique voices to our worship. I tell them how our kids love Hebrew School, how our congregants volunteer to support all different parts of our synagogue life. Really?! Yes.

We know that Sha’arei Shalom needs to grow to be more financially sustainable. Yet even as we long to become bigger, I hope we can take a moment to appreciate what we have. Our small size means that we all know each other, that people of all ages connect, that often we really feel like a family. Our size means that if you are new and want to get involved, we are ready to plug you in, put your skills to use, and connect you with new friends that share your interests or life stage. Our size means that I, your rabbi, know and care about each member of our congregation, and hope and pray that you will contact me when you need someone to talk to.

So, may we all be grateful for what we have, and remember to value intimacy and engagement even as we grow.

L’shalom, Rabbi Margie