16 | AUGUST 6 • 2020 Jews in the D cover story The Michigan Board of Rabbis approved a policy on July 20 stat- ing that High Holiday services will be online only. According to their statement, this decision is based on a commitment to the Jewish values of pikuah nefesh, “safeguarding life, ” and sakanat nefeshot, the prohibition of “endangering life, ” as well as a “preponderance of the best scien- tific and medical advice that we have. ” At Young Israel of Southfield, a survey has been sent to members to assess their prefer- ences for the High Holidays. “There is no question that the High Holidays will feel different this year. But whether ‘ different’ is good or bad will depend largely, like always, on the intentionality and soul- fulness by which one approach- es the experience rather than whether the experience is online or in-person, ” comments Rabbi Aaron Starr of Congregation Shaarey Zedek. The Conservative Rabbinical Assembly has developed detailed guidelines and legal forms with representatives of other Jewish streams; these are available at cjhighholidays.com/reopening. WILL MEMBERSHIP DECLINE? COVID-19 is also affecting synagogue finances. Revenue from scheduled synagogue events, now canceled, has been lost. In addi- tion, fundraising events have been canceled, although some congregations, such as Young Israel of Oak Park (YIOP) and Young Israel of Southfield, will hold virtual versions of their annual dinners. YIOP’ s fundraiser will include a kosher meal, home-delivered, and a virtual comedy show. Membership revenues also may be affect- ed as some individuals question whether dues make sense when on-site services and programs have been curtailed or eliminated. At Temple Beth El in Bloomfield Township, Rabbi Mark Miller said that only a few indi- viduals have raised that issue so far. The temple is a service organization and personnel costs are the biggest part of its budget, he explained, and most people understand that. However, Rabbi Yedwab said that “all congregations are expecting some drop-off because of the economic recession. ” ALREADY CHALLENGED While the pandemic has created major new challenges for synagogues, membership trends had been flat or declining for some years. (See sidebar about the Detroit Population Study.) There has been a continuing decline in religious identification among American Protestants, Catholics and Jews, as reported by the Pew Research Center, which regularly conducts surveys about religious attitudes. This disaffiliation is strongest among younger people. There have been new efforts locally and nationally to reach the Jewish community, especially younger people who don’ t find syn- agogue membership particularly appealing, as well as initiatives to engage and retain existing synagogue members. Several years ago, Temple Israel began The Well, an outreach effort for younger Jewish individuals and families that focuses on Shabbat and holiday celebrations, education and social programs, all held in various loca- tions outside the temple. The goal is to devel- op connections and strengthen Jewish identity and knowledge, which may eventually lead to affiliation with a synagogue. A new director, Rabbi Jeff Stombaugh, joined The Well this summer. In recent years, unrelated to COVID, some Reform and Conservative congregations across the country have been attempting to retain members through small special interest groups. This concept isn’ t completely new — there was a chavurah movement years ago and most synagogues have brotherhood and sisterhood groups. However, the current initiative is somewhat different. “People have always had naturally occurring small groups DR. RON WOLFSON: TEMPLES AND SYNAGOGUES NEED TO “DEEPEN ENGAGEMENT” Prior to the COVID pandemic, Dr. Ron Wolfson, Fingerhut Professor of Education at American Jewish University, said that many synagogues and temples were challenged by flat or declining membership. He is co-found- er of Synagogue 3000, a nonprofit orga- nization providing leadership training to enhance synagogues, and author of Relational Judaism — Using the Power of Relationships to Transform the Jewish Community, which he describes as a handbook for Jewish congregations. Dr. Wolfson cites multiple reasons for congregational “retention and recruitment issues.” Typically, fami- lies join temples or synagogues when their children are ready for school, but today’ s young Jews are marrying at a later age, delaying their potential inter- est in membership. Also, the millennial generation (for Christians and Jews) is somewhat resistant to affiliations — for religious participation and other aspects of life. Dr. Wolfson believes that congrega- tions must shift from a “transactional/ programmatic focus to a relational model” in order to maintain and increase membership. He cites a failure to “engage adults with clergy, educators, staff and other friends.” Wolfson tells of a temple member who said, “I came to everything and met nobody.” A temple program has to connect people to each other or it’ s not a sacred community, he said. These connections can be achieved through religious commitment, social justice activities or friendships. Other tactics include the creation of multiple small groups within a congregation, which is common to mega-churches. Such groups can have a distinct brand and identity. “They provide opportu- nities to engage a younger generation with no expectation that they become members,” Wolfson said. He also views preschools as support- ive of “relational Judaism.” “Preschools are a natural feeder into the life of the congregations. A relationship is being built with adults, including grandpar- ents, and they create a group of kids,” he said. RIVARD STREET Temple Beth El was the first Jewish congregation in Michigan, formed in 1850. After meeting in a home and then a rented space, the congregation purchased this property on Rivard Street in Detroit, which served as its synagogue building from 1861-1867. continued from page 15 continued on page 18 Rabbi Aaron Starr COURTESY OF TEMPLE BETH EL