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Oct. 28 Union News: Special Finances Edition
November 12 Webinar video and documents
Rabbi Yoffie's Dec. 12 sermon re the impact on synagogues
Responding to Difficult Financial Times
As the financial crisis continues to affect the world's economy, we recognize that, particularly in some communities, it likely will have far reaching implications for congregations and their members. And so, as families do during difficult times, the Union for Reform Judaism is reaching out to remind you that, as always, we are available to provide resources and assistance to support your congregation and members during these difficult times.
The Union is a "congregation of congregations," and so the issues that congregations are facing are facing the Union as well. Key staff and lay leaders are currently looking at projections for the current and next fiscal years, working to assess the impact of the economy on the Union's budget, and to create responses based on those assessments.
We are also aware that the current economic situation will impact our members. Our challenge, as is theirs, is to maintain service to our constituents and stay true to our mission while adjusting to the current economic realities. Please remember your regional MUM representative is always availble to talk with you.
Our tradition tells us that all Jews are responsible for one another. This year, more than ever, we hope our members will find the support they need in their synagogue community.
Peter J. Weidhorn
Chairman of the board |
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Rabbi Eric H. Yoffie
President
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The Union is aware that the current economic situation is impacting congregations and has gathered these materials to help as you adjust to the current economic realities.
The Department of Synagogue Management has many publications that can be of assistance, including
- Money Matters: Compassionate Guidelines for Talking Dues
- Give as God Has Blessed You: Rethinking Financial Commitment in Your Congregation
- And Keep the Paths of the Rightous (part 2) Includes information if you must reduce staff
- How Your Congregation can respond to difficult times, including suggestions on cutting expenses.
- Inside Leadership
- Doing What is Just and Right : Endowments, Investments and Synagogue Funds
Other items of help
- Program guides , lesson plans, Jewish texts and other items related to the issues of poverty, hunger, economic justice, housing, homelessness and healthcare
- Suggested talking points for your High Holy Day and other appeals
- A Guide to the Proportional Dues Program and other publications from the Department of Maintenance of Union Membership (MUM)
- From Rodeph Shalom, Falls Church, VA, the charge to a special task force looking at budget, reserves, trends and priorities
- A prayer for times of financial uncertainty
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Responding in Ways That Encourage a Sense of Hopefulness, Calm and Direction in Difficult Times
Using our tradition and trauma response models to respond in ways that sustain hope and build confidence
How to identify those in need and set up a support group
Free and/or low cost ideas for providing support and programs
Using the bimah to encourage community--helping congregants cope with economic concerns
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As Rabbi Edythe Mencher and Dale Glasser write in “Resilient Congregations and Organizations,” it is important that congregations respond to their members in ways that encourage a sense of hopefulness, calm and direction. The following items include suggested programs and talking points. If you have other suggestions or have developed a program, please share it with others by sending it to the Union at urj@urj.org.
Examples from congregations.
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