Synagogues As a Community Square

[Robert Sklar]

Is your synagogue becoming more a Jewish communal square for more than worship--activities, dinners, events, discussions, family get togethers, etc.?
Should it? The idea of keeping synagogue doors open more during the week to allow more people to use the buildings and avail themselves of programmings, does that appeal to you?
Wht can synagogues do to build up their connections with, and usage by, the community?

[David Sachs]

I've found informal adult education opportunities a big draw to get people back in the synagogue. One's synagogue bulletin will alert you to many lectures, discussion groups or classes. Also, stories or Calendar items in the Jewish News are a good sources of educational opportunities.

[rabbijason]

Bob-

I'm a proponent of the Synaplex view of synagogues today. Synaplex was started by the now closed STAR Foundation, based in MN. It sees congregations as three houses on Shabbat (which is "Jewish Prime Time"):

1) BEIT MIDRASH - A house of study (for the "head" Jews)
2) BEIT K'NESSET - A house of social gathering & community service (for the "hand" Jews)
3) BEIT T'FILLAH - A house of prayer (for the "heart" Jews)

If the synagogue strives to be a community square each Shabbat by covering all three of the above bases, I think it will be successful. Or better stated, "If you build it, they will come."

-Rabbi Jason Miller
Farmington Hills