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Synagogue Trends a Newsletter for the Leadership of Orthodox Union Member Synagogues

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Synagogue Trends a Newsletter for the Leadership of Orthodox Union Member Synagogues SYNAGOGUE TRENDS A NEWSLETTER FOR THE LEADERSHIP OF ORTHODOX UNION MEMBER SYNAGOGUES VOLUME 2, ISSUE 1 FALL/WINTER 1997/98 how Me The Money! by David J. Schnall, Ph.D. We’ve heard it over and more likely to give, to give more, Mandell I. Ganchrow, M.D. again: “IYM AIN KEMACH, AIN TORAH.” and to give more often. The reasons President, Orthodox Union It is a truism that barely needs rein- are at the same time obvious and Marcel Weber forcement We all favor expanding subtle. On the one hand: Chairman, Board of Directors our shul’s structure and its activities. Dr. Marcos Katz People of deep religious faith and Chairman, Board of Governors From a new youth wing to the values see charity as one among leaky roof to the rabbi’s next con- Rabbi Raphael B. Butler many divine obligations and Executive Vice President tract, we face a myriad of worthy responsibilities. In Jewish thought, Stephen J. Savitsky causes, all deserving attention and TZEDAKAH goes along with DAVENING, Chairman, Synagogue Services Commission priority. Like it or not, being an offi- KASHRUT, SHABBAT, TALMUD TORAH and Michael C. Wimpfheimer cer and a community leader, means all the rest — as part of an integrat- Chairman, Synagogue Membership Committee seeking new and more creative ed, holistic, constellation of values. Rabbi Moshe D. Krupka ways to develop financial resources, So it’s no surprise that those who National Director, Synagogue Services while holding and reinforcing the take it the most seriously are more Dr. David J. Schnall existing base of support. So it likely to give. On the other hand: Chairman, Editorial Committee behooves us to take a hard look at A subtle, sociological phenomenon Frank Buchweitz fundraising as an important part of is at play here. Those most commit- Director, Special Projects congregational leadership. It’s time ted to their religious faith also are Rabbi Mayer Waxman to learn from fundraising profes- more likely to be found “where giv- Program Coordinator sionals, experts who devote their ing happens,” e.g. religious ser- careers to developing financial vices, celebrations, and community Synagogue Trends resources for tax-exempt, service Published by the Orthodox Union gatherings, places where appeals institutions, no matter what their Department of Synagogue Services. for funds are frequently part of the 333 Seventh Avenue religious affiliation. With a small bit program and personal solicitations New York, NY 10001 of modification, their advice proba- (212) 613-8225 • Fax (212) 564-9058 often are initiated. bly can be fitted to the needs of our shuls and communities. So let’s ‘Their affiliation and attendance learn together... also means that they are known to the organized community: their THE GOOD NEWS names appear on membership lists, First off, there is reason for optimism. their religious and social interests For more information about OU Every shred of data that’s been gath- are readily identifiable, and they ONLINE and what it can mean for ered, indicates that religious people can be contacted with relative you and your community, please ease. They are part of the network. visit our website tend to be charitable. On average, http://www.ou.org those who pray and who participate This makes them very different from or E-mail: [email protected] in religious holidays and rituals, are most of their neighbors who can’t be targeted for fundraising largely increasingly falling to older widows in this regard. As they take the because of their invisibility. of men who had an active history helm of family resources, this orien- Communal administrators and lay of giving. This “feminization of char- tation toward giving is as much a leaders have learned that there is ity” is vital to understand because part of their YERUSHAH as the wealth dollar value in encouraging syna- women give differently and for dif- that comes with it. gogue affiliation and religious ferent reasons. But potential donors of involvement. They speak piously and Their husbands The “feminization of this next generation reverently about “building communi- were attracted by charity” is vital to also differ in other ty,” but what they really are saying is competitive giv- understand because women ways. As a group, they “where the heck is everybody ?!?” ing: open dona- give differently and for are not content to sit So when UJA-Federation of New tions at an different reasons. on boards, attend con- York studied the Metro Area, they appeal in shul, or ferences and pass found that those under age 40 a card-call at the plaques. They are moti- who called themselves “Orthodox,” annual dinner. This won them public vated by programs that are partici- were 30-50% more likely to have recognition. It allowed them to dis- pative, that involve the hands, the contributed to a Jewish charity in play their wealth, in a direct face-off heart and the mind, in addition to the previous year, and 2-3 times against friends and neighbors that the checkbook. They want to feel more likely to have given at least almost overshadowed the cause. that they have been approached for $1,000 — than were people with Their wives are far less moved by something beyond their ability to other affiliations. And none of that such philanthropic machismo. “dig deep,” that they also have factors their tendency to support They are open, compassionate, something to contribute from their long-term, full-time Jewish educa- interested in helping — and ready experience and their expertise. tion for their children, and to have to be convinced. But that’s the This shift is particularly poignant larger families, early in their earn- point. They will have to be sold on within Orthodoxy. In the past gen- ings history, which indicates hold- the fact that the needs are gen- eration, the community was still ing less concrete affluence than uine, the cause is just, and the largely comprised of European people with other affiliations. money will go where it can do the immigrants and their children, The good news is that we really do most good. Notwithstanding their alumni of economic depression and for the most part begin with a sym- late husband’s business acumen the Holocaust. They survived bitter pathetic clientele. Our constituency and shrewd financial sense, when adversity and appreciated the vul- holds values and practices that pre- it comes to TZEDAKAH they often are nerability of the human condition. dispose them to giving, and that a more discerning clientele: tough Aside from a deep-rooted commit- directs them to the shul and its affil- and demanding. ment to charity, they were predis- iates. A base of core donors present There is good reason to believe posed to helping others of similar themselves to us willingly and that their children, “baby boomers” experience, along with the institu- often. They appear at our events now approaching age 50, have tions through which they rebuilt and programs (including the daily inherited more from their mothers, their lives. MINYAN and the SHABBAT DAVENING), they respond to all manner of mail- ings and solicitations, and they have an established history of moral, social and financial support. LET’S PLAN THE NEW CHALLENGE In this way Orthodox fundraising is TOGETHER pleasantly unique within the Jewish community — and that’s important. In Your Community But there also are important social and demographic changes that The Department of Synagogue Services is eager to come to your com- characterize the entire field, and munity to meet with you and your synagogue board regarding our that have shown themselves within vast array of programming possibilities. We have helped many com- our communities. For example, munities in the areas of education, management, administration, and there is an important financial shift marketing. We encourage you to take advantage of our services. taking place, and projections sug- gest that upwards of $3 trillion will Contact Rabbi Moshe Krupka, Director of Synagogue Services change hands before it is over. In (212) 613-8225. part it is gender-based, with wealth 2 In addition, they were very con- time to start thinking of the congre- and friendly fashion, either. We cerned with their own status in this gation less as a charity and more as expect people to give us money, country. Establishing themselves a service agency, a cause, an “idea.” to attend an event and to materially often was not enough to encourage others to give and to give them the comfort and security DONOR-CENTERED attend. Is it unreasonable that we that they sought. Certificates of In the professional jargon, this is listen to them and consider their honor and public acclaim, matched called “donor-centered giving.” It is ideas? by their names engraved in stone an approach that provides several 4) Focus on the individual not or stained glass, helped provide for new MITZVOT for congregational just on the community. them a sense of having “arrived.” leaders. And if they sound to you In this consumer-oriented envi- But for the most part, their grand- like things that we should be doing ronment, a community syna- children have been reared in com- anyway, regardless of the dollar gogue is often expected to be fortable homes, they are well-edu- return, you’re right. For example: more than just a place to daven. cated and upwardly-mobile. They 1) Learn more about the mem- Today, people ask tough ques- don’t have the same need to rein- bership and its priorities. tions about return on investment. force their status, to trumpet their They may be couched in concern This means doing much-needed success or stand center stage.
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