Leslie Feldman
Like most synagogues in the United States, Temple Sinai in Dresher used a traditional membership dues model since its 1940 founding.
Individuals and families were billed a specific, preset amount for membership typically based on demographic factors.
That’s no longer the case.
Over the past 20 years, in response to fluctuations in membership, multiple alternative dues models have been implemented at synagogues throughout North America.
“In the fall of 2022, an Alternative Dues Committee was formed to explore options. The committee devoted a tremendous amount of time gathering materials, conducting research and consulting with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, as well as with many colleagues within the Jewish community, before making a recommendation,” synagogue Vice President Marla Kepniss said. “In April of 2023, the board of directors approved the recommendation to go into effect for the 2024-2025 fiscal year, and we launched our new membership model in May.”
According to Executive Director Ari Goldberg, the synagogue needed to meet Jewish families where they are now, and the idea that families will pay synagogue dues as a kind of communal “Jewish tax” is a thing of the past.
Also, for many families who dropped their formal membership, the reason is not because they could not afford it, but because they were looking at the perceived value of being part of the community, he said.
“Many may have been willing to stay members, but just not at the top level of the dues structure,” Goldberg said. “Most synagogues had an accommodations process, but these families would not have qualified because they did not have actual financial ‘need.’
“And for families who did need financial assistance, the accommodations process was embarrassing at best and invasive at worst. The new model provides families the dignity of deciding how they want to commit their financial resources to the Jewish community, as opposed to an obligatory payment like a mortgage.”
In the spring, members received a snapshot of the synagogue’s finances for the coming fiscal year. While dues rarely cover the total costs of a synagogue, financial transparency helps educate members about what financial support is needed, synagogue leaders said. At the same time, members are asked to pledge how they will contribute for the coming year.
“We remind them of their contribution from the previous year and offer a calculation of what a contribution could be if every member household gave the same amount for the year,” Kepniss explained. “Ultimately, dues are driven fully by that member. To be successful, we will need some members to give more to allow the flexibility for other members to give less.”
While the new model launched in May, the synagogue eliminated the dues accommodation process last July.
“Instead of members having to fill out forms providing personal financial information, as the executive director, I engaged in confidential conversations with the members in which they would share with me the amount that worked for their family budgets,” Goldberg said.
“As a result, we retained a good number of families who would have been unwilling to go through the formal accommodations process and, therefore, dropped their membership.”
“Throughout the process, the congregational membership increased for the first time in several years and the revenue collected was higher than budgeted,” Goldberg said.
In evaluating the trends based on the commitments of members who have responded thus far, 87% of members have opted to donate the same or more for membership (and for some the increase has been significant), while only 7% have decreased their giving level.
Synagogue President Jamie Jakubowitz added that Temple Sinai is always looking for new and innovative ways to bring on new members while ensuring the Jewish community stays vibrant.
“Our hope is growth and vibrancy for many years to come,” Jakubowitz said. “Ultimately, the true measure of success is for our congregants of all ages to want to be in the building and feel the warmth of our Jewish community whether through prayer, music, discussion or any way that speaks to them.”
Leslie Feldman is a Philadelphia-area freelance writer.
