Jewish Lights Publishing, Spring 2006 by Ron Wolfson S3K President Ron Wolfson tackles the issues facing synagogues in attracting and retaining members. There are three major sections on: “Welcoming Ambience” – that is, how to create a culture of welcome in a congregation, “Welcoming Worship” – analysis of “seeker-sensitive” worship and why it works, and …

Lawrence Bush From Tikkun, September/October 1995 Vol. 10, No. 5 Reprinted with Permission If Noah had been able to pray before the flood-rains fell, the world might not have been destroyed. The Zohar implies this when it portrays Noah emerging from the ark, breaking into tears at the sight of the drowned, decimated landscape, and …

Preliminary Findings from the 2007 National Spiritual Communities Study Over the past few years, we have seen an important new phenomenon in Jewish life: the creation of dozens of independent minyanim, spiritual communities, alternative worship services, and emergent congregations. This rich array adds diverse opportunities for worship, learning, social justice work, community-building and spiritual expression. …

Aaron Spiegel formerly worked as a director for the Indianapolis Center for Congregations. Aaron’s work for the Center included resource consulting with congregations on better use of technology for enhancing congregational effectiveness and efficiency, strategic planning, building issues, finance, and leadership. Together with Center colleague Nancy Armstrong, he developed a course-series entitled “Computers and Ministry: …