JTA: The Global News Service of the Jewish People

Taking the pulse of Reform development directors

By Jacob Berkman · March 18, 2010

Things are looking pretty good, according to quartet of development directors in the Reform movement.

0 Comments | Share This | congregations, fund raising, Fund raising, recession, Recession, recovery, Reform movement, synagogues

More on financial woes at day schools and synagogues

By Jacob Berkman · September 15, 2009

The Jerusalem Post has a bit more on the fate of day schools. 

0 Comments | Share This | day schools, Day Schools, Recession, recession, synagogues

Sun-Times: Synagogues in Chicago grapple with High Holiday seat prices

By Jacob Berkman · September 1, 2009

Chicago Sun-Times columnist Neil Steinberg has a piece today about the catch-22 that synagogues find themselves in annually this time of year.

1 Comment | Share This | High Holidays, recession, Recession, synagogues

Loose Change: Chabad in Buffet land, recession hits AZ synagogues, and changes in Jewish higher ed

By Jacob Berkman · May 1, 2009

Some really interesting stories floating around the Jewish media this week.

0 Comments | Share This | Economy, economy, higher ed, Israel, loose change, Loose Change, Recession, recession, synagogues

Synagogues consider charging members fuel tax to offset energy prices

By Jacob Berkman · July 11, 2008

The New York Jewish Week reports this week that New York synagogues are considering charging congregants a fuel tax to help offset the rising cost of energy. (Yes, yes, I mentioned this in the roundup, but I felt like this deserved its own entry as well.)

Reports Stewart Ain:

“With heating oil and natural gas prices up about 60 percent over last winter, some area synagogues are now imposing fuel surcharges on members, increasing dues and consolidating events in order to close their buildings and lower the heat a few nights each week.

And the annual Kol Nidre appeal — used in the past to raise money for new programs — will now be used by some synagogue presidents to solicit donations to keep the lights and heat on.”

The National Council of Young Israel also held a meeting of leadership this week to discuss how its 200 member synagogues could reduce their energy costs.

0 Comments | Share This | economy, fundraising, synagogues, Uncategorized