Building Vibrant, Engaged Communities at the Forefront of British Jewry
The United Synagogue Strategic Review: Building vibrant, engaged communities at the forefront of British Jewry Marc Meyer February 2015 The United Synagogue Strategic Review: Building vibrant, engaged communities at the forefront of British Jewry Marc Meyer The US in numbers The United Synagogue today Founded 144 years ago, by Act of Parliament Now responsible for 80,000 souls across 63 communities, 28% of the entire UK Jewish population One Chief Rabbi, four dayanim, 67 communal rabbis, and over 1,200 staff in synagogues and around the community. Nearly 700 volunteers serve as Honorary Officers and board members 80% of survey respondents describe themselves as Orthodox or Traditional, 23% keep Shabbat, 73% separate milk and meat at home, and 79% believe it is important to belong to the United Synagogue 1,032,515 data points from the first ever US community survey The Challenge As many as 1,000 Jews disaffiliated annually from the overall UK Jewish community between 2001 and 2011 Nearly 60 % of US synagogues, nearly 60% of US rabbis, and nearly 70% of US assets in areas of Jewish demographic decline 17% decline in UK synagogue affiliation, 20% decline in London, 31% amongst “Central Orthodox” communities 18% of survey respondents’ children who are married, married out The Opportunity In addition to attracting new members, up to 6,900 members, or roughly 18% of the United Synagogue’s existing membership, could be more engaged with their communities if their synagogues offered more varied and exciting programmes i ii The United Synagogue Strategic Review: Building vibrant, engaged communities at the forefront of British Jewry Marc Meyer US President’s Foreword A word of thanks My first task is to thank Marc Meyer and all those who have been involved in producing this report.
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