Nearly every congregation today faces the challenge of trying to increase or stabilize revenue, so it’s no surprise that in the last few weeks alone, the Jewish press published three separate pieces on the subject:

• eJewishPhilanthropy shared an overview of the changing landscape and what that may look like for particular synagogues. They explain the traction this issue has gained in recent months, calling on the expertise of researchers and advocates for change.
• In “The Case for Pay-What-You-Can Synagogue Dues” on Jewish parenting site Kveller, one blogger wrote a personal reflection about the many factors that families consider when weighing the cost and benefit of joining a synagogue – and why the potential upside for congregations seems worth the risk.
• The Sun-Sentinel recently reported that Temple Beth Orr of Coral Springs, FL, became the first congregation in South Florida to adopt a voluntary dues commitment model.

And that’s not all.

By Harriet Skelly In 2013, Congregation Shir Ami in Castro Valley, CA, was at its lowest membership in 15 years. Several years earlier, we had implemented a new, low-cost dues structure in the hopes that it would help increase the membership. At about the same time, Rabbi Rick Jacobs, president of the Union for Reform Judaism, visited the Bay Area and spoke with local congregational presidents about audacious hospitality, relational Judaism, and “going outside the walls.” I was intrigued by his language, but still didn’t really get it. I was just stuck on how to find unaffiliated Jews in our area to bring into our congregation.

by Amy Asin and Rabbi Esther L. Lederman On May 5^th, the URJ will launch applications for a new set of Communities of Practice (CoPs). Topics will include:

• Building a Brand: Excellence in Reform Movement Early Childhood Engagement
• Creating Connected Communities for Families with Young Children (for congregations without Early Childhood Centers)
• Strengthening Israel Engagement in your Congregation
• Pursuing Justice: Becoming a Community of Action (with the Religious Action Center)
• Finding the Sacred in the Mundane: Reimagining Financial Support
• Engaging Congregants: Small Groups With Meaning

As you may know, February is "Strengthening Congregations Webinar Month" here at the URJ. At the halfway point, more than 300 congregational leaders have joined live webinars to learn more about what makes a congregation strong and how the URJ is evolving to help you become or continue to be a strong congregation. The feedback and engagement on the webinars has been productive and valuable. There are still eight live webinars that will take place over the next few weeks, and I hope you will join one. Join a webinar to learn more about how you can:

• Connect with geographically-based URJ Communities to help your congregation's lay leaders network and learn together
• Join The Tent to get answers to your questions and to join discussions with peers across North America
• Learn about the forthcoming "Leadership Institute," which will expand leadership development opportunities for your congregation
• Contact the Knowledge Network for answers and resources related to all aspects of congregational life (1.855.URJ.1800 or urj1800@urj.org)
• Learn about the corps of volunteers available to run board workshops at your congregation or congregational retreat
• Tap into the corps of experts (in conjunction with other Reform institutions and individuals) that is available for specialized advice
• Help your congregation's new president get off on the right foot with the specialized training available at the Scheidt Seminar (registration now open)