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$$$ Economy Watch $$$
Synagogues cut costs, offer aid in tough economy
By CJN Staff
The CJN is taking an ongoing look at how local Jewish agencies are coping with the current economic recession. This week, we spoke to Cleveland synagogues.
“We haven’t yet begun to feel the full impact of this economic crisis,” says Loree Resnik, executive director of Suburban Temple-Kol Ami (Reform) in Beachwood.
Suburban is making dues adjustments, if asked. “Our first responsibility is to care for our congregants,” she says. The temple is also evaluating cost reductions.
Resnik notes some good news amid the crisis. “One of our congregants put forth a $25,000 challenge grant, with a matching component. So if we get a $1,000 gift, it will actually give us $1,500. Our membership has been wonderfully responsive to this. Those who can are stepping forward.”
On the other hand, Rabbi Matthew Eisenberg of Temple Israel Ner Tamid (Reform) in Mayfield Heights is finding people are “reticent” to make additional donations during this recession. TINT has also seen an increase in the number of congregants asking for special dues reductions. It all adds up to a smaller than usual revenue stream, he notes.
“It is always challenging to balance a synagogue’s budget, and we routinely try to cut expenses,” says David Seltzer, administrative director of Green Road Synagogue (Orthodox). “Based on some initial conversations, we expect some congregants will be unable to stay current with their dues in the coming fiscal year.”
Asking for extra contributions for a proposed building campaign now seems out of the question, adds Seltzer. “Our anticipated expansion and renovation plans for the Beachwood facility have been put on indefinite hold in these uncertain times.”
Rabbi Naphtali Burnstein of Young Israel of Greater Cleveland (Orthodox) says it is too early to know the long-reaching effects of the economic meltdown, but he is not optimistic about a quick rebound. “Our appeal over the High Holidays went as expected, but I suspect if we were asking those same members for a pledge today, we might not have as good a response,” he admits. “I have already heard from congregants whose jobs are in jeopardy and are expressing concern about meeting day-school tuition. I expect my pastoral role will increase as I meet with members who are suffering through difficult times.”
Recently, a letter went out to members of The Temple-Tifereth Israel (Reform), encouraging them to speak confidentially with staff about problems they may have affording dues or school fees. The synagogue wants to make it possible for members to remain part of the congregational family despite financial worries, says executive director Bob Allenick.
As The Temple is seeing an increased number of requests for dues assistance, “we have also seen a decrease in donations, whether to the annual appeal or to gift funds,” Allenick notes. The Temple has instituted belt-tightening measures to make up for these decreased revenue streams. Several support positions will not be re-staffed in the near future. Measures to reduce operating costs include everything from lowering thermostats and eliminating coffee and bagels at meetings, to renegotiating contracts for office equipment and re-bidding employees’ health insurance coverage.
“We will, if necessary, turn to some of our larger donors and ask if they can be helpful during this challenging time,” Allenick adds. “We will do whatever it takes to make sure we are available to people.”
Congregation Kol Chadash, a 4-year-old Reform synagogue in Solon, is feeling the economic squeeze as larger organizations it depends upon cut off funding for specific programs, says Rabbi Estelle Gottman Mills.
Hardest hit may be young campers. Kol Chadash sends 50% of its kids to Reform movement-sponsored summer camps, Gottman Mills explains. That is only possible thanks to a matching grant from The Jewish Education Center of Cleveland (JECC) to defray camp costs.
In past years, small congregations like Kol Chadash were able to participate in the JECC’s matching funds program on a sliding scale. No longer. “What we pay for camp is easily 25% to 30% of our budget,” she says. “We won’t be able to pay at the same rate” as larger congregations. “I’m not sure how we’re going to be able to participate.”
Besides the JECC, other large organizations the temple relies on for funding have not been able to give at the same level as past years, continues the rabbi. “It means we have less money for our families that participate in programs we partner with, such as Cleveland Hebrew School.”
Kehillat Yaakov (Orthodox), which recently built and moved to a new facility in Lyndhurst, is also vulnerable in this economic downturn. “Some of our pledges are not coming in as anticipated,” admits president Bill Hartstein. “We are waiting for the dust to settle before we see a significant shortfall. But we are now tightening our belt as we plan for the future.”
A new building proved to be helpful for Temple Emanu El (Reform), which is well positioned to weather the economic crisis, says executive director Renee Higer. Its recent move to Solon and the addition of a preschool have resulted in a large increase in membership this year, netting around 75 families, and a 45% increase in the religious school, she says.
Still, Emanu El is taking proactive steps to cut expenses, mostly eliminating “luxury” items such as colored paper and color copies. In addition, high hopes are being pinned on a “major fundraising initiative” planned for next year.
Beachwood’s Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple (Reform) rolled out a new initiative over the High Holidays to create a network to connect congregants in need with those who can help. Job placement, dental services, legal advice, home repair, tutoring, even grocery shopping – nothing is off limits when it comes to asking for or receiving aid. “People are saying, ‘We need to help each other,’” says Laura Munson, communications director. Thus far, nearly 50 people have called the service to either offer or seek assistance.
A struggling economy was the focus of the letter Rabbi Stephen Weiss of B’nai Jeshurun wrote to his Conservative shul’s 1,050 families. The Nov. 21 letter beseeched congregants to seek out the rabbi if they were unable to afford synagogue dues or programs.
This is a change from the synagogue’s usual procedure, where members would go before an appeals committee to request lowered dues.
Even with the recent exodus of a few families, overall membership at B’nai Jeshurun has remained steady over the last 12 months, reports the rabbi. In addition, the synagogue has been able to attract new members with low introductory rates ($36/first year for singles, $72 for families).
“The issues come when members cycle up to full dues,” admits Weiss. Couples over age 38 pay $1,835 annually, while singles 39-and-over pay $1,230 each year.
The realties of today’s depressed job market also led B’nai Jeshurun to create a group on LinkedIn, an online professional community. The idea is for members to maintain a profile on the site and expand their network of potential business opportunities.
Meanwhile, Weiss has offered to circulate anonymous job notices through the congregation based on résumés members send to him. There are also several professional job search consultants among the congregation who have volunteered to help members find employment.
The idea is to make the synagogue a networking tool, notes the synagogue’s spiritual leader.
“Our members are facing new challenges,” adds Weiss. “We want to be there for the congregation in a time of need.”
Congregation Bethaynu (Conservative), home to 325 families, increased its membership 30% during the High Holiday season, reports board president Jerry Brodsky. He points to a special $60 first-year rate as the major reason for the upswing.
Congregation Shaarey Tikvah (Conservative), a Beachwood-based shul with 300 families, has not enjoyed a similar surge in membership, but it also has not lost or gained any more members than it would have during an economically stable year, notes executive director Barbara Goldstein.
Nor has the synagogue had to cut programming due to financial constraints. “We have our ‘Chanukah Day of Fun’ coming up this weekend,” says Goldstein. “It’s business as usual here.”
Janet Dery, Arlene Fine, Douglas J. Guth and Ronna A. Novello contributed to this story, compiled by Margi Herwald Zitelli.
“We haven’t yet begun to feel the full impact of this economic crisis,” says Loree Resnik, executive director of Suburban Temple-Kol Ami (Reform) in Beachwood.
Suburban is making dues adjustments, if asked. “Our first responsibility is to care for our congregants,” she says. The temple is also evaluating cost reductions.
Resnik notes some good news amid the crisis. “One of our congregants put forth a $25,000 challenge grant, with a matching component. So if we get a $1,000 gift, it will actually give us $1,500. Our membership has been wonderfully responsive to this. Those who can are stepping forward.”
On the other hand, Rabbi Matthew Eisenberg of Temple Israel Ner Tamid (Reform) in Mayfield Heights is finding people are “reticent” to make additional donations during this recession. TINT has also seen an increase in the number of congregants asking for special dues reductions. It all adds up to a smaller than usual revenue stream, he notes.
“It is always challenging to balance a synagogue’s budget, and we routinely try to cut expenses,” says David Seltzer, administrative director of Green Road Synagogue (Orthodox). “Based on some initial conversations, we expect some congregants will be unable to stay current with their dues in the coming fiscal year.”
Asking for extra contributions for a proposed building campaign now seems out of the question, adds Seltzer. “Our anticipated expansion and renovation plans for the Beachwood facility have been put on indefinite hold in these uncertain times.”
Rabbi Naphtali Burnstein of Young Israel of Greater Cleveland (Orthodox) says it is too early to know the long-reaching effects of the economic meltdown, but he is not optimistic about a quick rebound. “Our appeal over the High Holidays went as expected, but I suspect if we were asking those same members for a pledge today, we might not have as good a response,” he admits. “I have already heard from congregants whose jobs are in jeopardy and are expressing concern about meeting day-school tuition. I expect my pastoral role will increase as I meet with members who are suffering through difficult times.”
Recently, a letter went out to members of The Temple-Tifereth Israel (Reform), encouraging them to speak confidentially with staff about problems they may have affording dues or school fees. The synagogue wants to make it possible for members to remain part of the congregational family despite financial worries, says executive director Bob Allenick.
As The Temple is seeing an increased number of requests for dues assistance, “we have also seen a decrease in donations, whether to the annual appeal or to gift funds,” Allenick notes. The Temple has instituted belt-tightening measures to make up for these decreased revenue streams. Several support positions will not be re-staffed in the near future. Measures to reduce operating costs include everything from lowering thermostats and eliminating coffee and bagels at meetings, to renegotiating contracts for office equipment and re-bidding employees’ health insurance coverage.
“We will, if necessary, turn to some of our larger donors and ask if they can be helpful during this challenging time,” Allenick adds. “We will do whatever it takes to make sure we are available to people.”
Congregation Kol Chadash, a 4-year-old Reform synagogue in Solon, is feeling the economic squeeze as larger organizations it depends upon cut off funding for specific programs, says Rabbi Estelle Gottman Mills.
Hardest hit may be young campers. Kol Chadash sends 50% of its kids to Reform movement-sponsored summer camps, Gottman Mills explains. That is only possible thanks to a matching grant from The Jewish Education Center of Cleveland (JECC) to defray camp costs.
In past years, small congregations like Kol Chadash were able to participate in the JECC’s matching funds program on a sliding scale. No longer. “What we pay for camp is easily 25% to 30% of our budget,” she says. “We won’t be able to pay at the same rate” as larger congregations. “I’m not sure how we’re going to be able to participate.”
Besides the JECC, other large organizations the temple relies on for funding have not been able to give at the same level as past years, continues the rabbi. “It means we have less money for our families that participate in programs we partner with, such as Cleveland Hebrew School.”
Kehillat Yaakov (Orthodox), which recently built and moved to a new facility in Lyndhurst, is also vulnerable in this economic downturn. “Some of our pledges are not coming in as anticipated,” admits president Bill Hartstein. “We are waiting for the dust to settle before we see a significant shortfall. But we are now tightening our belt as we plan for the future.”
A new building proved to be helpful for Temple Emanu El (Reform), which is well positioned to weather the economic crisis, says executive director Renee Higer. Its recent move to Solon and the addition of a preschool have resulted in a large increase in membership this year, netting around 75 families, and a 45% increase in the religious school, she says.
Still, Emanu El is taking proactive steps to cut expenses, mostly eliminating “luxury” items such as colored paper and color copies. In addition, high hopes are being pinned on a “major fundraising initiative” planned for next year.
Beachwood’s Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple (Reform) rolled out a new initiative over the High Holidays to create a network to connect congregants in need with those who can help. Job placement, dental services, legal advice, home repair, tutoring, even grocery shopping – nothing is off limits when it comes to asking for or receiving aid. “People are saying, ‘We need to help each other,’” says Laura Munson, communications director. Thus far, nearly 50 people have called the service to either offer or seek assistance.
A struggling economy was the focus of the letter Rabbi Stephen Weiss of B’nai Jeshurun wrote to his Conservative shul’s 1,050 families. The Nov. 21 letter beseeched congregants to seek out the rabbi if they were unable to afford synagogue dues or programs.
This is a change from the synagogue’s usual procedure, where members would go before an appeals committee to request lowered dues.
Even with the recent exodus of a few families, overall membership at B’nai Jeshurun has remained steady over the last 12 months, reports the rabbi. In addition, the synagogue has been able to attract new members with low introductory rates ($36/first year for singles, $72 for families).
“The issues come when members cycle up to full dues,” admits Weiss. Couples over age 38 pay $1,835 annually, while singles 39-and-over pay $1,230 each year.
The realties of today’s depressed job market also led B’nai Jeshurun to create a group on LinkedIn, an online professional community. The idea is for members to maintain a profile on the site and expand their network of potential business opportunities.
Meanwhile, Weiss has offered to circulate anonymous job notices through the congregation based on résumés members send to him. There are also several professional job search consultants among the congregation who have volunteered to help members find employment.
The idea is to make the synagogue a networking tool, notes the synagogue’s spiritual leader.
“Our members are facing new challenges,” adds Weiss. “We want to be there for the congregation in a time of need.”
Congregation Bethaynu (Conservative), home to 325 families, increased its membership 30% during the High Holiday season, reports board president Jerry Brodsky. He points to a special $60 first-year rate as the major reason for the upswing.
Congregation Shaarey Tikvah (Conservative), a Beachwood-based shul with 300 families, has not enjoyed a similar surge in membership, but it also has not lost or gained any more members than it would have during an economically stable year, notes executive director Barbara Goldstein.
Nor has the synagogue had to cut programming due to financial constraints. “We have our ‘Chanukah Day of Fun’ coming up this weekend,” says Goldstein. “It’s business as usual here.”
Janet Dery, Arlene Fine, Douglas J. Guth and Ronna A. Novello contributed to this story, compiled by Margi Herwald Zitelli.
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