London: 20:38 Birmingham: 20:00* Hull: 20:43 Sheffield: 20:47 Southport: 20:53 Jerusalem: 18:57 London: 21:47 Birmingham: 21:59 Hull: 22:09 Sheffield: 22:10 Southport: 22:18 Jerusalem: 20:16 *Birmingham communities bring in Shabbat at 20:00 throughout the summer You can find details of this week's Torah reading, Maftir and Haftarah in our weekly Daf Hashavua by clicking here. Thursday 29 July, 2021 Today the United Synagogue can reveal the results of our membership survey. In May we embarked on the biggest listening exercise we have ever undertaken and asked you how we and your community had done during the pandemic and for your thoughts on coming back to shul, attending programmes online or joining activities in person.
Thousands of you responded giving us a broadly representative sample and we are very grateful for your time. The survey’s headline finding shows despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, 86% of United Synagogue members are satisfied with their community.
Other findings show that 92% of members were satisfied with online services, 85% with welfare provision and 92% with online programming.
These are extraordinary results: after more than a year of immense hardship, when the doors of our shuls were forced shut by the pandemic, nearly 9 in 10 members are satisfied with their community. The secret, of course, is that while our synagogues were closed, our communities remained open. Guests speakers and social events were reimagined online, hundreds of volunteers delivered medicines and meals for older members and those shielding and streamed services such as Kabbalat Shabbat were watched by thousands of people.
But we also know we have some work to do. 60% were satisfied with programmes and activities for under 18s and this is an area we have earmarked for immediate attention. Some members said they might come to shul less in person as a result of Covid and we must find ways to inspire them to return when they feel it is safe to do so. The importance of human-to-human contact was heard loud and clear in the survey.
The survey results will help create the roadmap for communities in the months ahead enabling them to make decisions based on real data.
Commenting on the results, the Chief Rabbi said: “These impressive results bear testament to the outstanding leadership of all the Rabbis, Rebbetzens and lay leaders of the United Synagogue. Despite a period of unprecedented challenge, they have worked tirelessly over the last eighteen months to successfully maintain the vitality of their communities. The responses from members show that our Shuls are so much more than buildings in which people gather for prayer. They are the engine rooms of dynamic communities which stand together, both in times of great celebration and also in times of great adversity.”
Michael Goldstein, President of the United Synagogue, said: “Everyone connected with the United Synagogue should be extremely proud of these results. After one of the hardest periods in our 150-year history, I am just delighted that the hard work of our Rabbis and Rebbetzens, our Chairs and Honorary Officers and our professional staff teams across the country has been recognised in this way. The United Synagogue exists to support our members, whether they’re aged one or 101.
“Of course, we cannot rest on our laurels, nor can we ignore the areas where our members have told us we can improve. As we look to kick-start Jewish community life, the results will help our shul teams think through how best to engage their members and to plan for the Yamim Noraim (High Holy Days) and beyond.
“On behalf of United Synagogue Trustees, I want to place on record my thanks to the thousands of members who filled in the survey and to the United Synagogue staff and volunteers for their ongoing dedication and commitment to the charity.” Shabbat shalom,
Richard Verber Communications Director, United Synagogue WATCH NOW Devarim N' Dine Borehamwood & Elstree Synagogue’s Rabbi Yaacov Finn continues to cook his way through the Parshiot – now we are onto the Book of Devarim. Each week Rabbi Finn will be bringing you a delicious new recipe to try! This week is Arayes with Green Tahini - watch it by clicking the link below. MATHILDA MARKS-KENNEDY Could you be the Chair of Governors? Mathilda Marks-Kennedy Jewish Primary School is looking for a motivated dynamic leader to be their next Chair of Governors. This role provides an exciting opportunity to lead the dynamic team implementing MMK’s forward-looking vision. Find out more by clicking on the link below. If God commands us to fear Him, is it possible to have a healthy relationship with Him? Click here to find out in this week's D'var Torah by the Chief Rabbi.
And do read Hannah Reuben's D'var Torah in the Jewish News this week. Hannah works in the United Synagogue education team and asks: why is mentioning Jerusalem and Israel so critical to Grace after Meals? KENTON UNITED SYNAGOGUE Kenton presents: Jonathan Javor Jonathan is a strategic advisor and international campaign manager to political leaders and parties around the world. In Georgia, Jonathan managed the campaign teams for Salome Zourabichvili leading to her becoming Georgia’s first woman president. Tonight at 8:15pm on Zoom. COCKFOSTERS & N SOUTHGATE SYNAGOGUE CLC presents: Nathan Jeffay Israel’s vaccine success, and the data it is generating giving the world the first glimpse into real-world vaccine effectiveness, is the big pandemic story of the moment. Nathan Jeffay, The Times of Israel's health and science correspondent, has been studying this amazing phenomenon in depth. Tuesday 3 August at 11am. EDGWARE UNITED SYNAGOGUE Al Jolson: The Man and The Legend Join Edgware for an evening presented by David McCarthy, vice-president of the International Al Jolson Society. The evening will focus on Al Jolson, who starred in the ground-breaking 'first talkie' - The Jazz Singer. Tuesday 3 August at 8pm. This email was sent with love from the United Synagogue. If you no longer wish to receive this email, please unsubscribe here |