Inside Leadership is a publication of the Union's Department of Synagogue Management. To receive as an e-mail, subscribe.
May-June 2000 Iyar 5760
 

TIKKUN LEIL SHAVUOT
STUDY ALL NIGHT, STUDY ALL YEAR

Tikkun Leil Shavuot is the custom of staying up the entire night of Shavuot studying with the community. Consider using this study opportunity to launch a year-long program of learning for your board. As board members, it is important that you create a model of leadership for your congregation. Although you spend much of your time dealing with mission and broad policy issues, educating yourself Jewishly can enhance your role as a board member and your relationship with the congregation at large.

The UAHC has created a program of study to begin on Shavuot titled Tikkun Leil Shavuot: Honoring Our Past, Envisioning Our Future, Reform Judaism in the 21st Century. This program includes a video and discussion guide, which would be useful as a starting point for your study, as well as a series of programs that can be adapted throughout the year as learning tools at your board meetings.

Consider introducing the program during your Shavuot study session or your June board meeting with a viewing of the seventeen-minute video L'dor Vador: Continuity and Change. This video, which was first presented at the UAHC Biennial in Orlando in December 1999, shows three generations of a family in Albany, New York, who are struggling with the meaning of Jewish ritual and tradition in their lives. The discussion guide focuses on the meaning and challenge of being a Reform Jew at the beginning of the twenty-first century.

Consider assigning groups of board members to lead discussions at your meetings throughout the year focused on "A Statement of Principles for Reform Judaism." The Tikkun Leil Shavuot material contains resources, complete with ancient and modern commentaries and questions, that can be used to help your board "unpack" the Principles and discuss God, Torah, and Israel during the course of the year.

The program also includes a closing exercise that is designed to be conducted on the bimah, during which the participants symbolically reaffirm their commitment to the Torah.

Whether you use this guide or material of your own choosing, creating a program of study for your board and making it a priority during your meetings is an effective way to educate yourself about Judaism and enhance your role as a board member.

To obtain Tikkun Leil Shavuot: Honoring Our Past, Envisioning Our Future, Reform Judaism in the 21st Century, please visit the Religious Living web site, or contact the UAHC Department of Religious Living by telephone at 212-650-4193 or by e-mail at rliving@uahc.org.

TO CREDIT CARD OR NOT TO CREDIT CARD
A DIFFICULT QUESTION

I pay for my clothes, my food, my trips,
and my child's tuition by credit card;
why can't I use my card to pay my temple dues?

During this time of year, when many congregations are preparing dues bills, it is important to consider whether or not your synagogue should change its billing process and accept credit cards. Think carefully before you decide to take the plunge because once you start, your congregation will not take kindly to a reversal of this policy.

Congregations that are considering credit card use ought to ponder the total costs which include staff and lay time; processing, training, and collecting expenses; percentage fees; and credit card machines; and try to determine if accepting credit cards would significantly reduce their receivables or other collection problems or if the fees would significantly reduce the benefit to their synagogue.

Some congregations have been successful in negotiating a lower rate, especially with a local bank with whom they or their members have a relationship. Others give discounts to those who pay cash. Some require credit card payments in full within the first few months of the fiscal year, based on the theory that the interest earned on the full dues will offset the credit card fee.

Congregations that have achieved success with accepting credit cards like them because of the following reasons:

Congregations that have had little success with accepting credit cards state the following reasons:

  • The required bookkeeping and fee can be onerous.
  • Having the opportunity to pay by credit card does not seem to encourage members to pay their dues if they are disinclined to do so.
  • Congregants who would otherwise pay by check in one payment use their credit card, thereby costing the congregation the fee and encouraging members to pay over time.

Some of these congregations encourage their members who would like to pay over time to issue to the temple postdated checks at the beginning of the year in lieu of credit card payments, thus solving the predictability, efficiency, and extra billing problems without incurring the added cost.

All in all, accepting credit cards can cure a congregation's collection woes, or it can create an administrative nightmare.

ANNUAL HIGH HOLIDAY CHECKLIST

Your congregants may believe that things are "quiet" at the temple during the summer, but you, as synagogue leaders, know that the summer can be the busiest time of year for those who are involved in preparing for the High Holy Days. What is your role as board members in insuring that your temple creates a memorable and meaningful experience for your congregants during this period in which the entire congregation worships together? Although you, as board members, are not responsible for administrative planning, there are ways in which the board can enhance the worship experience of its temple's members. Consider the following:

Getting Ready: Advance Preparation by Board Members
Holy, Holy Days: Spiritual Education
Consider scheduling a board session to help trustees prepare spiritually for the Days of Awe and reflect on what makes this period holy. Ask your clergy and Adult Education Committee to help structure a session that answers questions such as:

Honors: Religious Education
Bestowing High Holy Day aliyot is a wonderful way to honor those who keep the synagogue running smoothly. Be certain that you honor both new and seasoned members who have given their talent and time to the congregation during the past year. Another way to honor members is by asking them to serve as ushers, thus giving them a role in the worship experience. To insure a seamless service, make certain that those who are honored with aliyot and as ushers know what is expected of them.

Clear Ticket Policies and Mailing Information: Practical Education
The High Holy Days information letter should be warm and straightforward: It is both your invitation and your instructional manual. Make sure that your members receive it on time and that ticket policies and service schedules, including information about location, time, and service assignments, are crystal clear.

High Holy Days Appeal/Project: Mitzvah Education
Many congregations launch a fund-raising appeal and/or conduct a significant mitzvah project (such as a food drive) during the Days of Awe. Temples that have successful projects make sure that the chairs of these events have a stake in their success. The keys to success for any event are planning, paying attention to detail, and follow-up.

These Are the Days of Awe: Tasks to Keep in Mind
As board members, be prepared to meet and greet the congregants, particularly new members. Wear a flower or name tag and troubleshoot. Do whatever needs to be done to insure that nothing distracts members from focusing on and taking part in the worship experience. As hosts, make sure you know who is responsible for the following:

MEDICAL Think about how you will handle medical emergencies. Some congregations have paramedics stationed in the parking lot; some have doctors readily available. Others ask members of the temple who are physicians to volunteer for each service and to be the "doctor on call." These doctors and their families get reserved seating on an aisle at a fixed location known to all the ushers so that if there is an emergency, they can be summoned rapidly.

RITUAL Insure that someone checks the schedule of services; pays careful attention to crowd flow; reviews the contracts with the musicians; insures that the congregation's silver, Torah covers, talitot, kipot, and robes have been cleaned; and determines that the synagogue has enough of everything, particularly prayer books.

SITE Whether your services are on- or off-site, make sure that someone checks out the air-conditioning, closed-circuit TV, and sound systems, replacing all batteries; rents chairs as necessary; hires extra custodial help; and thoroughly cleans the interior of the building and spruces up its exterior.

SECURITY Insure that detailed security arrangements, including parking, traffic control, emergency procedures, and appropriate permits from your local police, are attended to, and hire private guards if necessary.

Looking Back: Debriefing and Thank Yous
Meet with your Ritual and Usher Committee Chairs and make notes regarding the aliyot, treatment of new members, mailings, ushers, services, general temple preparations, and board's contributions.

The holidays are tremendously stressful for the clergy and the professional, office, and custodial staff, as well as for the lay leaders. Be sure to extend an extra thank you in person and in writing, with bagels or with flowers, and in the bulletin to all those who helped your congregation experience the High Holy Days as Days of Awe.

Share Your Ideas and Input

Do you have

  • Programs that have worked well in your congregation?
  • Topics about which you would like more information?
  • Suggestions for future Inside Leadership articles?

Watch for the next Inside Leadership in time for
your September board meeting.

Contact the
UAHC Ida and Howard Wilkoff
Department of Synagogue Management
633 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Tel: (212) 650-4040
Fax: (212) 650-4239
E-mail: Synagoguemgmt@uahc.org