Welcome to the website of resources developed during Synagogue 2000/3000’s twenty-year run as a catalyst for excellence in synagogue life.
I've written several articles over the years about synagogue management software (I was a contributor to the 2013 Idealware study mentioned in the article) and it's true, ShulCloud is the apparent "king" of synagogue software. Which means it's the best of a group of really bad, expensive, poorly supported software tools.
Because I've worked with churches for the last 20+ years, I've had the chance to see and use church management software (CMS). There are dozens of these titles and at last check at least 75 viable options. A few rise to the top and among them, the cheapest (about $500) is far better than any of the synagogue tools.
CMS's primary function is to manage relationships - the relationship between members and money (not accounting), members and participation, members and education, members and volunteering, etc. Synagogue software is mostly modeled on donor software packages, a totally different mindset that doesn't work with congregations.
The article says that ShulCloud has 1200 clients. The CMS package I recommend most often has well over 100k clients, is cheaper, and does more. So why don't synagogues use what's better?
Because I've worked with churches for the last 20+ years, I've had the chance to see and use church management software (CMS). There are dozens of these titles and at last check at least 75 viable options. A few rise to the top and among them, the cheapest (about $500) is far better than any of the synagogue tools.
CMS's primary function is to manage relationships - the relationship between members and money (not accounting), members and participation, members and education, members and volunteering, etc. Synagogue software is mostly modeled on donor software packages, a totally different mindset that doesn't work with congregations.
The article says that ShulCloud has 1200 clients. The CMS package I recommend most often has well over 100k clients, is cheaper, and does more. So why don't synagogues use what's better?
ShulCloud is the king of synagogue software. Is that a good thing?
forward.com
An upsurge in virtual services due to the pandemic has highlighted some of the weakness of one platform.Would love to learn more about the software you recommend. Do you have links to the articles you mention?
"One of the biggest obstacles to changing institutions is that the default posture of virtually all institutions tends to be stasis."
Synagogue Innovation in the Age of Corona and Beyond
ejewishphilanthropy.com
By Rabbi Sid Schwarz Note: A version of this article appeared in eJP in May 2020, a few months into the pandemic. The article has been revised and expanded, identifying innovations that might affec…
I'm leery when whites write about black culture. The comparison Rosenfeld makes between the black church and synagogues around the prophetic voice is interesting.
‘Attacking the prophetic voice’: The Black Church looms large in Warnock’s Senate bid
forward.com
Experts say attacks on Warnock rely on a lack of understanding around how the Black Church weaves together politics and theology.
From Britain but the message is the same, "For synagogues to engage people, “it’s not about programmes, it’s not about marketing, it’s about relationships. People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
Have synagogues had their heyday?
www.thejc.com
Masorti leader argues that synagogues are too prayer-centricWas this conversation videorecorded and if so, is there a link to the video?
Another interesting merger.
Mazel tov — it’s a merger! Two historic San Francisco synagogues become one – J.
www.jweekly.com
There’s a new synagogue on the scene in San Francisco. It doesn’t have a name yet, but it can trace its roots to 1860 and it owns two buildings. In November, 90 percent of the members at Congregation Beth Israel Judea and Congregation B’nai Emunah voted in favor of merging their two communitie...