Comments on: Extreme Makover - Synagogue Edition http://synagogue3000.org/synablog/2008/11/16/extreme-makover-synagogue-edition/ Synagogue 3000 Blog Mon, 21 May 2012 10:23:52 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Ron Wolfson http://synagogue3000.org/synablog/2008/11/16/extreme-makover-synagogue-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-14090 Ron Wolfson Wed, 19 Nov 2008 15:26:22 +0000 http://synagogue3000.org/synablog/?p=117#comment-14090 Thanks Jordan and Randy... The "setting" of the synagogue building and the warmth of the welcome represent the first steps into a sacred community. But, I agree the "product" one encounters must be "relevant," "meaningful" and "purposeful." Rick Warren likes to say that clergy need to "say something on Sunday that people can use on Monday." (BTW, he's an excellent text teacher!) Larry Hoffman calls this: sermons that emphasize where "Torah meets life." It's the whole package, the entire "experience" of the synagogue - on the first visit - that can make the difference between someone coming back or not. Thankfully, many of our congregational leaders are "getting" this message...and I sense the transformation is well underway... Thanks Jordan and Randy…
The “setting” of the synagogue building and the warmth of the welcome represent the first steps into a sacred community. But, I agree the “product” one encounters must be “relevant,” “meaningful” and “purposeful.” Rick Warren likes to say that clergy need to “say something on Sunday that people can use on Monday.” (BTW, he’s an excellent text teacher!) Larry Hoffman calls this: sermons that emphasize where “Torah meets life.” It’s the whole package, the entire “experience” of the synagogue - on the first visit - that can make the difference between someone coming back or not. Thankfully, many of our congregational leaders are “getting” this message…and I sense the transformation is well underway…

]]> By: Randy Konigsburg http://synagogue3000.org/synablog/2008/11/16/extreme-makover-synagogue-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-14089 Randy Konigsburg Tue, 18 Nov 2008 18:42:57 +0000 http://synagogue3000.org/synablog/?p=117#comment-14089 I don't think that anyone will disagee that people make the difference, not a building or furniture. I agree that Rabbis need to speak to modern issues. I am not sure I agree that modern Rabbis don't speak to modern issues. A modern Rabbi has to speak to many different constituancies, seniors, professionals, mature families, singles, GLBT, young families, Jewishly educated, and the Jewishly illiterate. In addition, a modern Rabbi has to be a teacher for the community, a leader in Social Action and represent the community to the non-Jewish world. It is a big job. The furnishings help the Rabbi by making the synagogue a place where people will want to spend some time. The more time they spend lounging, drinking coffee and using the internet, the more time we will have to help teach them how to be better human beings, more socially active and well educated Jew. I don’t think that anyone will disagee that people make the difference, not a building or furniture. I agree that Rabbis need to speak to modern issues. I am not sure I agree that modern Rabbis don’t speak to modern issues. A modern Rabbi has to speak to many different constituancies, seniors, professionals, mature families, singles, GLBT, young families, Jewishly educated, and the Jewishly illiterate. In addition, a modern Rabbi has to be a teacher for the community, a leader in Social Action and represent the community to the non-Jewish world. It is a big job. The furnishings help the Rabbi by making the synagogue a place where people will want to spend some time. The more time they spend lounging, drinking coffee and using the internet, the more time we will have to help teach them how to be better human beings, more socially active and well educated Jew.

]]> By: eashtov http://synagogue3000.org/synablog/2008/11/16/extreme-makover-synagogue-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-14088 eashtov Mon, 17 Nov 2008 00:48:30 +0000 http://synagogue3000.org/synablog/?p=117#comment-14088 Shalom Dr. Ron and All, Synagogue makeovers ought to begin with a look at the role of the rabbi and how (s)he is trained (i.e their seminary experience) to lead a synagogue. Most Jews have voted with their feet that the synagogue and/or Judaism is/are irrelevant. Synagogues need to deliver a Judaism which is relevant, practical, challenging and life application oriented, showing that Judaism actually speaks to life as it is lived and experienced in the 21rst century, ie., teach and talk about what Judaism has to say about our physical, financial, emotional, relational, and spiritual well-being. Most assuredly, this is not being done in the vast majority of synagogues today. If it was, they (synagogues) might be able to persuade more Jews to re-enter their doors for reasons beyond lifecycle fixes and an occasional perceived need for a worship service. The creation of welcoming sacred spaces, while important won't fix the fundamental difficulties outlined above. Biv'racha, Jordan Shalom Dr. Ron and All,

Synagogue makeovers ought to begin with a look at the role of the rabbi and how (s)he is trained (i.e their seminary experience) to lead a synagogue. Most Jews have voted with their feet that the synagogue and/or Judaism is/are irrelevant. Synagogues need to deliver a Judaism which is relevant, practical, challenging and life application oriented, showing that Judaism actually speaks to life as it is lived and experienced in the 21rst century, ie., teach and talk about what Judaism has to say about our physical, financial, emotional, relational, and spiritual well-being. Most assuredly, this is not being done in the vast majority of synagogues today. If it was, they (synagogues) might be able to persuade more Jews to re-enter their doors for reasons beyond lifecycle fixes and an occasional perceived need for a worship service. The creation of welcoming sacred spaces, while important won’t fix the fundamental difficulties outlined above.

Biv’racha,

Jordan

]]> By: The Marketing Spot - Small Business Marketing http://synagogue3000.org/synablog/2008/11/16/extreme-makover-synagogue-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-14093 The Marketing Spot - Small Business Marketing Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000 http://synagogue3000.org/synablog/?p=117#comment-14093 <!--%kramer-pre%-->t about what you sell at all. It's more than just the commodity, it's the emotional association people have with your company. You need to give customers an experience, not just a product. Experience:Extreme Makeover - Synagogue Editionby Dr. Ron Wolfson at Synablog. The Gap recently transformed their stores from “institutional” to “homey.” In an effort to woo back customers. The most important lesson is this: businesses rarely look at their customer spaces with fresh eyes.<!--%kramer-post%--> links from Technoratit about what you sell at all. It’s more than just the commodity, it’s the emotional association people have with your company. You need to give customers an experience, not just a product. Experience:Extreme Makeover - Synagogue Editionby Dr. Ron Wolfson at Synablog. The Gap recently transformed their stores from “institutional” to “homey.” In an effort to woo back customers. The most important lesson is this: businesses rarely look at their customer spaces with fresh eyes.

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