TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Topic  (Click on a topic to jump to that section.)

Brief history
Rationale for this Work and Methodology
Mission and Values
Governance
Membership
Ritual
Youth Education, Activities, and Youth Group
Adult Education
Internal Communications
Social Action
External Communications/Public Relations
Fundraising/Capital Campaign
Building
Caring
Finance
Sisterhood
Brotherhood
Appendix A – External trends
Acknowledgements

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A Brief History

A long time ago, - 29 years to be exact – when West Houston wasn’t even Houston, when this area was just a neighborhood on the edge of the prairie, nine families joined together to form a reform congregation, Temple Sinai.

It was pretty rough in those parts way back then. Westheimer Road was a single lane blacktop west of Wilcrest; West Belt (not the access road for the Tollway) meandered with gentle curves through the tall vegetation along Buffalo Bayou until it stopped abruptly at Westheimer; and traffic hardly backed up on the Katy Freeway.  It was a time when there was very little west of Highway 6 other than the J.C.C. campsite, Nottingham Country and San Antonio.  While a “Jewish-style” deli actually operated across from Tully Stadium, there was certainly an absence of an official Reform Jewish presence out here in the “wilderness.” That all changed in the summer of 1979 with the establishment of Temple Sinai.

Until 1983, the congregation met in a building on Country Place Drive in the Memorial area of Houston, in rental space that allowed for both services and a functioning religious school. In 1983, the decision was made to purchase the building where we were tenants, and Temple Sinai became the owner of its first property at 783 Country Place.

Rabbi Abraham Shaw, our founding Rabbi, served in a part-time capacity until 1984 when Rabbi Howard Rabinowitz of Houston succeeded him. Under the spiritual guidance of Rabbi Rabinowitz, the educational leadership of several religious school directors and the capable administrative talents of many dedicated volunteer board members and officers, Temple Sinai grew in membership. Just as Houston grew around us, with multi-lane highways replacing streets and large housing complexes replacing grassy fields, the Temple membership expanded and it became apparent that our little synagogue on Country Place was too small to meet our current and certainly future needs.

In the mid 90’s the leadership of the congregation began a process to determine where our future home should be located. Addressing the membership’s desires and aspirations for a new building as revealed by a congregational survey, the board formulated a mission statement to guide the congregation on its path to a new home.

Then in 1999, just as the building program was in its infancy, Rabbi Rabinowitz retired and the Temple hired its first full time clergy, Rabbi Todd Thalblum.  With a new Rabbi and a newly formed architectural search committee, the path to a new facility was underway.  In April 2002, a groundbreaking ceremony was held with honored guests from the Houston Jewish Community in attendance.  Along with Rabbi Thalblum, Temple officers, many congregants and guests, the first shovels of dirt were turned in a process that led to our current building.

Actual construction began in August 2002 with a move-in date late in the spring of 2003. With construction completed in late June, 2003, July 4, was chosen as the day to officially move. On July 4, over 150 member families and friends left our old location to march our four Torahs to their new home on Brimhurst Drive. With television crews present to film the event, the congregational Hakifot, sometimes two blocks long, spread along the route of the march. While the threat of rain was constant, we arrived at the new building, unveiled the cornerstone, affixed a mezzuzah to the doorpost, and entered our new sanctuary for its first official service. As the service commenced, the sun broke through the clouds and illuminated the Ark where the Torahs were placed upon arrival in their new home. The new building is now the home for the Temple’s membership, numbering around 200 families; a membership that draws predominantly from all over West Houston and Katy, including families from both the SW and NW, but also from the Memorial Villages, Meyerland and even inside the loop.

 

Torah March July 4, 2003

 

For the past 5 years, we have enjoyed our development and evolution in the new building, with active Shabbat services every Friday evening, Saturday Shabbat services at least once per month.  Our full time religious school director supervises the Sunday School and Hebrew School programs, we have an active Adult Ed program and robust Sisterhood and Brotherhood organizations.  We are especially proud of TeSTY, the Temple Sinai youth group, and its vitality and devotion to community services.  Following the departure of Rabbi Thalblum after nine years with the Temple, we are now blessed to have Rabbi Barry Diamond serving with us as an interim Rabbi as the search for a permanent Rabbi continues this year. 

In twenty nine years Temple Sinai has grown from an idea to a reality; from nothing to the spiritual home of over 200 families in West Houston; a center for a Jewish presence in the community where none previously existed. Our goal is to continue to grow in and be known as a center of a meaningful Jewish experience in our community.

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Rationale for this Work and Methodology

As we now enter our 30^th year, the Board recognizes the need to understand new and shifting priorities of our congregation, and the need to renew and invigorate our energies about the future.  In early 2008, the Board announced the launching of a formal strategic planning process, named “SinaiVision – Navigating Our Future,” a project which will build an integrated strategic plan to meet congregational needs for the next 3-5 years. 

The SinaiVision process began with the convening of multiple parlor meetings designed to get input from congregants.  Over 40% of the membership of the temple participated in these parlor meetings held in the first half of the year.  Questions posed about congregational strengths, opportunities for enhancement and improvement, as well as out-of-the-box dreaming all yielded critical information about the needs and aspirations of the congregants today and for the future.  The parlor meeting data was distilled into major themes which comprise the target areas of the plan.  Those themes are:  governance, membership, ritual, youth education and youth activities, adult education, internal communications, social action, external communications/public relations, fundraising/capital campaign, building and caring. 

Permeating the 11 themes noted above, were two over-arching concepts -– the concepts of the synagogue as “community” and as a “social outlet” -- which emerged as critical priority areas for the Temple Sinai congregation.  Because of their importance to the congregation, they serve as context for all future action and are interwoven throughout the 11 discrete themes which comprise the plan document.  Some of the highlights from the parlor meetings include: 

Community:

• Temple is the focus of Jewish life, culture, community and worship on the west side of Houston and Katy. The temple serves that function.
• As we’ve grown from 50-200 we still have that “smaller congregation atmosphere” feeling when you come in.
• This is my family – I take ownership and pride.
• Temple is a big tent – question is….how big of a “tent” do we want to be?
• Able to express ownership.  People don’t just attend, but they let the congregation grow into them and become part of their lives.
• We stepped out of our tikihut and became part of the Houston community.
• I am proud that we built this building with 87% participation.
• Proud that we have a lot of dedicated members who have contributed their time and energy to Temple Sinai for so many years.
• I feel adopted, like coming home. Arms wrapped around us and wouldn’t let us go (in a good way).
• We are welcoming to interfaith couples and children and are flexible enough to work with unique personal concerns and family situations.
• We need to keep up the friendliness – not get complacent.

Social:

• Temple is a place to feel comfortable.
• As small as it is, you meet new people.
• We need to re-create a place to sit and schmooze.
• Continue onegs.
• We need to celebrate more – people are looking for opportunities to engage over food and drink.
• Need more activities to connect people based on common interests.

The document which follows is a result of the SinaiVision Committee members working with trustees and their committees to develop the broad goals and objectives, setting direction for the coming 5 years.  Trustees and committees are committed and already engaged in developing the detailed action plans for execution. 

We recognize that this plan is not static – it is evolutionary in nature.  Just as our congregation continues to evolve and change, so will the plan develop and evolve over time.  However, through this dynamic process, congregants will be clear about the values and mission of our temple and will have a clear picture of the direction we will take for the coming years.

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MISSION STATEMENT:

Temple Sinai is dedicated to enhancing Jewish life by providing religious, educational, and social programs that reflect the values, customs, and traditions of the Reform Movement. We are a warm, friendly and vibrant community where friendship and caring are combined with religious faith, ritual observance, social interaction, and education for children and adults.

VALUES

Values represent the core priorities in an organization’s culture, including what drives members’ priorities and how they truly act in the organization, etc. Values define how people want to behave with each other in the organization. They are statements about how the organization values its members as well as the internal and external communities. Value statements describe actions which are the living enactment of the fundamental values held by most individuals within the organization.

• Temple Sinai members are committed to creating and cultivating an environment that is warm, caring and personal.
• Temple Sinai members value diversity, inclusion and respect of all.
• Temple Sinai is dedicated to partnering with other Jewish organizations in Houston to inform, educate, and provide support to their members as well as the community at large.
• Temple Sinai promotes a culture that encourages and provides every congregant a multitude of opportunities to become involved and participate in temple life.
• Temple Sinai is dedicated to governing in a way that fosters open communication, candor, participation, and involvement.
• Temple Sinai members value youth and children and strive to create a strong, welcoming place for them to become involved in all relevant aspects of temple life.
• Temple Sinai members are committed to social action through volunteer and financial support of Jewish and non-Jewish community service organizations.
• Temple Sinai members are dedicated to lifelong learning of Jewish theology, prayer, culture, philosophy, values and other areas of knowledge.

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GOVERNANCE

1. Goal: Implement a robust leadership development program and  leadership succession plan

Objectives:

1. Identify potential leaders from within congregation
2. Create volunteer and board member training
3. Develop understanding of resources and talents available to be utilized
4. Develop succession planning process for President and officers
5. Continue efforts to recruit board members from committees
2. Goal: Develop and maintain vibrant and functioning volunteer organization

Objectives:

1. Identify, create, and encourage  opportunities for congregants to participate as volunteers
2. Explore the use of a volunteer coordinator to coordinate and manage volunteer resources effectively, both on a short term and long term basis (See also:Membership, Social Action, Fundraising)
3. Utilize internal and external resources to train committee chairs and co-chairs
4. Develop framework, structure, and accountabilities for each committee/volunteer group
5. Recognize volunteer contributions in a meaningful way.
3. Goal: Communicate more directly and effectively with congregants about volunteer and board opportunities

Objectives:

1. Communicate to congregation regarding nominating committee process and how it works
2. Develop descriptions of the roles and responsibilities of the board and key committee chair positions
3. Reevaluate current communication techniques, and identify most effective means of reaching the different constituents of the congregation (phone calls, email, direct mail, etc)
4. Goal: Ensure coordination and oversight of auxiliary organizations for Temple-wide approach to programming

Objectives:

1. Develop master calendar for all Temple activities and review periodically
2. Develop understanding of auxiliary organizations’ primary goals and how they fit with Temple’s goals
3. Align planning, and resource utilization plans for synergies
5. Goal: Build long term/strategic board governance skills and processes

Objectives:

1. Increase time spent on strategic issues and accountabilities (i.e. defining end state, measuring success)
2. Develop methodology for board to measure success and attainment of stated goals in strategic plan
3. Ensure oversight on matters of fiscal responsibility
4. Periodic review of board roles and structure of board and committees to ensure alignment (See also: Fundraising)

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MEMBERSHIP

 

1. Goal:  Increase membership at Temple Sinai through rigorous outreach and recruiting in the community

Objectives:

1. Work with other committees to improve awareness of Temple Sinai in the community
2. Continue to work with JCC to prospect possible members
3. Research and implement inexpensive methods to promote Temple Sinai (See also: External Communications)
4. Ensure that a Membership Committee member attends all services to meet any prospective members
2. Goal:  Ensure easy and quick integration for all new members

Objectives:

1. Establish a mentor/buddy family for each new member family to Temple
2. Ensure we understand interests of new members and get them involved quickly in a committee, activity or class within first two months (See also: Governance)
3. Goal:  Ensure retention of members

Objectives:

1. Work with Board to take ownership to retain members and recognize that a member who leaves is a missed opportunity to grow the congregation
2. Encourage the establishment of grass-roots chavurot and social activities to nurture the development of relationships – work to integrate and align social activities with temple auxiliaries

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RITUAL

 

1. Goal:  Ensure a variety of ritual practice, services and education to meet varying needs in the congregation

Objectives:

1. Working with Rabbi, explore creative and various ways to deliver meaningful services (i.e. use of sermons, traditional & non-traditional, song and music, family, tot, etc)
2. Find the best time frame(s) for services to appeal to broad spectrum of congregation
3. Provide opportunity for increased education and learning through ritual service and holiday celebrations
4. Work with Rabbi and Adult Education to revise Adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah program (See also: Adult Education)
2. Goal:  Increase attendance at services

Objectives:

1. Explore opportunities for more congregant involvement in music
2. Involve more temple members in leading/participating in services, including kids
3. Experiment and determine best way to re-instate and maintain onegs (not necessarily do them)
3. Goal:  Ensure broad & meaningful engagement during High Holiday services and celebrations

Objectives:

1. Continue extensive and broad inclusivity and participation in services
2. Maintain feedback loops with congregants regarding HHD  
4. Goal:  Develop and maintain a strong Ritual Committee, with clarity of purpose and working processes
5. Goal:  Help non-Jewish partner and interfaith families understand, negotiate and appreciate rituals and their purpose (See also:  Social Action)
6. Goal:  Help college students and college grads maintain their Jewish connection

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YOUTH EDUCATION, ACTIVITIES AND YOUTH GROUP

 

YOUTH EDUCATION:

 

1. Goal: Develop religious school teachers with a great breadth of knowledge in the topics they teach and the ability to communicate ideas in an interesting and effective manner to students in their grade level

Objectives:

1. Develop educational programs for congregants in areas needed for Youth education.
2. Explore obtaining a grant for a visiting professor to teach youth education material to teachers and potential teachers.
3. Consider reimbursing teachers for college courses they take relevant to the subject they teach.
4. Federation training made available to teachers
5. Develop Chevruta (small study groups) to study in depth topics relevant to youth education.
6. Develop a lesson plan workshop.
7. Find incentives to encourage Melton study.
2. Goal: Provide curricula that highlights Jewish values and how to integrate these values in everyday life to our students

Objectives:

1. Create activities and programs that illustrate Jewish values and allow students to assimilate the values with life experience.
2. Bring speakers that teach Jewish values and explain their practical application.
3. Goal:  Provide curricula that exposes students to different points of view across the spectrum of Jewish perspective

Objectives:

1. Bring speakers from Conservative, Orthodox, and varied Jewish idealogical positions to expose students to other points of view.
2. Integrate varying perspectives into the curricula
4. Goal: Educate students in comparative religion and expose them to Interfaith topics

Objectives:

1. Bring interfaith speakers
2. Take interfaith field trips to allow students to experience other faiths.
5. Goal: Keep modifying and evaluating curricula to keep it current and interesting

Objectives:

1. Provide a lesson plan workshop to teachers yearly.
2. Provide educational opportunities and incentives to teachers and prospective teachers through Melton, Federation, visiting professors, Chevrutta and Adult Education classes (See also: Adult Education)

 

YOUTH ACTIVITIES AND YOUTH GROUP

 

1. Goal: Provide opportunities for Temple youth to network and make connections with the extended Jewish youth community

Objectives:

1. Develop more activities that connect our youth group with other groups
2. Provide information about Greene camp and scholarships available to attend.
2. Goal: Provide more opportunities for youth to participate in services and oneg

Objectives:

1. Work with Rabbi and Ritual Committee to create Youth shabbats, in which various classes would participate in Shabbat services as well as providing Oneg (See also: Ritual)
3. Goal: Explore possibility and interest in starting a Junior Youth group

Objectives:

1. Send questionnaire to parents of age appropriate children to determine interest.
2. Find an individual to volunteer as youth group leader for 6th-7th if interest indicated.
4. Goal: Provide stimulating program and opportunity to socialize to Post Confirmation class

Objectives:

1. Bring in thought provoking and educational speakers
2. Provide meals and time period to socialize and network.

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ADULT EDUCATION

1. Goal:  Enhance congregants’ understanding of the religious, philosophical, sociological and cultural aspects of Judaism through adult education
   

   Objectives:

   1. Bring in variety of guest speakers to offer multiple points of view
   2. Work with Rabbi and ritual committee to revise Adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah program (See also: Ritual)
   3. Work with Rabbi and other Jewish organizations within Greater Houston to provide classes on-site and off-site
   4. Address more issues applicable to inter-faith families
2. Goal:  Align and vary classes to meet interests and schedules of congregants

Objectives:

1. Offer mixture of single-session and multiple-session classes as appropriate
2. Add educational field trips
3. Schedule sessions to coincide with religious and Hebrew school on Sundays and Wednesdays to maximize use of time and resources
3. Goal:  Explore partnering with other organizations to offer education opportunities

Objectives:

1. Team with other Jewish organizations to offer educational sessions
2. Investigate partnering with non-Jewish organizations in West Houston
4. Goal:  Explore the need for, and delivery of, classes for home bound adults or adults who prefer to self-study

Objectives:

1. Gain better understanding of needs for these segments of the population
2. Create an Internet-based center for self-teaching on a variety of subjects
3. Develop a room at temple with computer access for all, where self-study resources are made available (index of web addresses)

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INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS

 

1. Goal:  Improve administration/delivery of Temple-wide communication

Objectives:

1. Streamline email communications – experiment with methodology for delivery
2. Establish a Shofar Editor position
3. Integrate temple website with other communication mechanisms (See also: External Communications)
4. Establish a disaster communications plan
2. Goal: Increase mechanisms for two-way input from congregants

Objectives:

1. Develop a “letter to the editor” section in the Shofar
2. Facilitate ways to get input and feedback from congregants (See also: Caring)
3. Develop a “Did You Know That” section of the Shofar
3. Goal:  Increase window of communication for our teens and youth

Objectives:

1. Develop a teen Shofar page each month

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SOCIAL ACTION

 

1. Goal:  Expand interfaith congregational exchanges across all Temple Sinai age groups

Objectives:

1. Develop forums and activities on relevant topics that represent a broad array of religious perspectives and rotate those sessions among several faith-based organizations in West Houston
2. Continue and expand pulpit exchanges among faith based organizations in West Houston
2. Goal:  Increase the number, scope and magnitude of tikkun olam activities by teaming with other area congregations or organizations

Objectives:

1. Partner with synagogues in the suburbs surrounding Houston to raise enough funds to underwrite a Habitat for Humanity home (See also: External Communications)
2. Generate widespread publicity in the JHV, Houston Chronicle, television stations and specialty newspapers in the surrounding areas (See also: External Communications)
3. Identify other west-Houston community service groups such as food pantries, soup kitchens, etc. that would need ongoing, weekly volunteers and would provide a venue for Temple volunteers to support
3. Goal:  Create and cultivate long term relationships in the community that involve reoccurring commitments to social action
   

   Objectives:

   1. Explore the potential of establishing a “volunteer bank” within Temple Sinai that would create a cadre of members  available for community-based social action projects (See also: Governance)
   2. Identify and evaluate community organizations committed to social action with whom Temple Sinai could partner to provide volunteers and other forms of support on a long term, ongoing basis
4. Goal:  Develop a short term response plan to react to immediate incidents and crises in the community
5. Goal:  Develop and implement programs that support Temple Sinai’s designation as an Anti- Defamation League’s  Community of Respect organization (See also: Youth Activities, Adult Educaton, Ritual, External Communications)

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EXTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS/PUBLIC RELATIONS

 

1. Goal:  Ensure that the external Community is aware of who we are, what we do, and how they can connect with us

Objectives:

1. Place regular, ongoing photos/articles in Houston Jewish publications and websites (Jewish herald Voice, Houston Jewish Federation website, etc)  including a Rabbi column, social action work, Bnai Mitzvah projects, religious school activities (See also: Social Action)
2. Update website and ensure it “tells our story.”  Ensure website references all upcoming Temple activities. (See also:  Internal Communications)
3. Hold unique events in West Houston (open to the public) and advertised through the aforementioned Jewish resources as well as other community and neighborhood newsletters in the West Houston area
2. Goal:  Build relationships with external organizations to create greater presence in community and to encourage new membership

Objectives:

1. Develop specific contacts/relationships with critical West Houston organizations (i.e. (West Houston Ministries, CoC’s, school districts)
2. Understand which events/publications/organizations should be targeted for increasing membership (target audiences: young families, interfaith families, seniors)

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FUNDRAISING

1. Goal:  Secure adequate operating funds to provide temple services

Objectives:

1. Look for ways to generate funds without asking for additional dollars (e.g. scrips)
2. Explore ways to involve external community in fundraising activities
3. Research availability of grant and foundation monies for fundraising
4. Secure a robust level of volunteers to coordinate fundraising events (See also: Governance)
2. Goal:  Coordinate fundraisers between temple and auxiliary groups

Objectives:

1. Fundraising chair provides guidance to all committees in regard to fundraising activities and explore ways to manage a minimum number/types of fundraising activities in a given year
2. Focus on creating aligned, multi-sponsored efforts
3. Evaluate establishing Temple-wide fundraising coordinator (See also: Governance)
4. Create annual calendar of all fundraising activities
5. Maintain data on and analysis of fundraisers to determine high yield events

 

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN

 

1. Goal:  Address long term financial needs of congregations

Objectives:

1. Explore drivers for a capital endowment campaign (30 year anniversary?)
2. Raise sufficient funds to pay off current mortgage

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BUILDING

 

1. Goal: Ensure the current building and grounds meet the congregation's needs

Objectives:

1. Ensure the building and grounds stay well maintained
2. Improve handicap access to building and bima
3. Establish a Building Disaster Preparation/Recovery Plan
2. Goal: Encourage greater use of the building and grounds to facilitate connections between congregants

Objectives:

1. Encourage congregants to use Temple facilities to meet and socialize, not just during services and school, but at all times
2. Create “schmoozing” corners, comfortable areas around building for small group gatherings
3. Explore better use of atrium area
4. Find ways to use the beautiful outdoor areas for gatherings and events
5. Encourage the use of the building by related organizations that further Temple Sinai's mission
6. Update Building Use Policy and publicize it
3. Goal: Develop plans for major building enhancements as future funds become available

Objectives:

1. Prioritize the future needs of the congregation for items such as: social hall, enhanced sound system, hi-tech library, and commercial kitchen (all of these suggestions were noted in parlor meeting data). (See also: Finance)

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CARING

 

1. Goal:  Ensure an effective system to meet caring needs of congregation

Objectives:

1. Maintain adequate sized caring committee with clear processes and roles
2. Maintain software data base (e.g. “Hinenyu”) system for record keeping
3. Periodically review and share data on numbers of needs met
4. Ensure caring literature display meets congregational needs
2. Goal:  Nurture the fostering and enhancing of meaningful caring relationships throughout the congregation

Objectives:

1. Advertise support available to congregation – services, Shofar (See also: Internal Communications)
2. Launch a mechanism for keeping congregants informed of caring needs amongst each other
3. Ensure clarity of role of Rabbi in caring activities of congregation

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FINANCE

 

1. Goal: Build & maintain transparency in managing and reporting monthly cash flow

Objectives:

1. Reconcile monthly budget and track and report all expenditures for board review
2. Educate board members to build their understanding of ongoing financial processes
2. Goal: Consistently follow URJ guidelines in maintaining structure for fiscal reporting and tracking

Objectives:

1. Restructure accounting designations to align to URJ dues relief
2. Review all financial processes to ensure alignment with URJ guidelines
3. Educate board members and committees to build their understanding and compliance with URJ guidelines.  Develop processes to ensure compliance.
3. Goal: Stabilization of Temple finances

Objectives:

1. Develop a 3-5 year financial plan integrated with SinaiVision goals and objectives
2. Pay down of mortgage debt allowing the congregation to pursue future goals (social hall, commercial kitchen) (See also: Building)
3. Provide financial input to committees and board members to make fiscally responsible decisions

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SISTERHOOD

 

The Temple Sinai Sisterhood is a vital part of the congregation, supporting and enhancing spiritual and social activities, making these events warm and welcoming.  We unite under the banner of sisterhood and friendship, developing meaningful ties to Judaism, one another and our congregation. 

1. Goal:  Foster and promote the ideal of sisterhood through caring/support and programs/activities which meet the needs of our membership and the congregation (See also: Adult Education, Brotherhood )

Objectives:

1. Vary programs to appeal to different age groups and interests
2. Develop innovative programs which have broad appeal across congregation (i.e mystery dinner, game nights)
3. Lend caring support to congregants in need (See also: Caring)
4. Provide monetary donations to temple functions to support activities
2. Goal:  Kindle the spirit of Judaism in the congregations through activities in support of holidays, Shabbat, ritual events (See also: Ritual, Brotherhood)

Objectives:

1. Sponsor holiday celebrations (i.e. Hanukah dinner, break-fast, Rosh Hashana oneg)
2. Lead Rosh Chodesh services and gatherings
3. Oversee gift shop to bring Judaica to congregants
4. Develop innovative programs to enhance knowledge and understanding of Judaism (i.e. women’s torah study)
3. Goal: Enhance and re-invigorate active membership and develop leaders for the future

Objectives:

1. Explore new ways to attract congregants to sisterhood (See also: Membership)
2. Educate members and congregants on role of sisterhood and WRJ in the broader URJ movement
3. Promote leadership development for sisterhood – identify future leaders and provide development opportunities
4. Goal:  Support the development of congregational youth as they become future Jewish leaders

Objectives:

1. Provide scholarship opportunities for youth pursuing Jewish development activities and involvement
2. Explore future program ideas to further support emerging Jewish leaders

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BROTHERHOOD

The Temple Sinai Brotherhood is an active and vibrant organization that is dedicated to helping the synagogue, helping ourselves, and having a lot of fun in the process.  Our ultimate goal is to support the overall needs and desires of the men of Temple Sinai.  Through our work, we seek to have a wide-reaching and lasting impact on the congregation and the community.

1. Goal: Promote the celebration of the male Jewish spirit through the development and delivery of religious and educational programs and activities (See also: Adult Education, Sisterhood, Ritual)

Objectives:

1. Promote attendance at religious services
2. Promote visibility of the Brotherhood in support of our youth's Jewish education
3. Bring in guest speakers to present topics of interest to our members
2. Goal: In the spirit of tikkum olam and with a desire to have a lasting impact on our community (Temple and surrounding), provide service programs and activities (See also: Social Action)

Objectives:

1. Continue ongoing activities in support of local community organizations
2. Promote service to the Temple Sinai community
3. Goal: Promote fellowship of our male congregants through a variety of social activities (See also: Sisterhood)

Objectives:

1. Identify what activities people want
2. Encourage participation
3. Analyze and maintain data on which activities/programs were well attended
4. Goal: Increase active membership in Brotherhood

Objectives:

1. Find out what attracts/would attract members
2. Determine optimal dues/payment schedule
3. Actively pursue membership retention
4. Aggressively encourage new congregants to explore opportunities in our organization (See also: Governance, Membership)

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APPENDIX A – EXTERNAL TRENDS

 

Houston Jewish Community

 

The two most recent studies of Houston’s Jewish communities took place in 1985 and again in 2001, commissioned by the Jewish Federation.  They have served to provide a picture of a stable community and insight into the kinds of programs and services the community will need in the coming years.

 

Below are key points/implications from the study:

• Size:  There are 45,000-47,000 area residents who identify themselves as Jewish.  There is little reason to expect the Jewish community to change much in size or composition in the years ahead.
• Age:  The graying of the known Jewish community will continue, as baby boomers will live longer than their parents.
• Residence:  The known Jews in Houston are concentrated in the three contiguous “Jewish Core” areas:  SW Houston, Memorial and Central City.  Almost 2 out of 5 (37%) live in SW Houston alone.
• Family Cycle:  Almost one third of the known Jewish households are married couples with children. Another third are married “empty-nesters.”  Less than 10% of the known Jewish households are in a position to have a first child within the coming decade.  The number of families with children in the known Jewish community will decline and the number of empty nesters will grow.
• Children:  The largest number of Jewish children (60%) live in the Houston Jewish Core.  But two suburban areas have disproportionately large numbers of Jewish children - children under 18 constitute 37% of the known Jews in Fort Bend and 40% of the known Jews in North Houston.  Fort Bend and North Houston are especially attractive to Jewish families.
• Income: The known Jewish community is relatively affluent.  More than a third of known Jewish households reported incomes of $100,000 or more. But 26% have annual income below $50,000.  Memorial is most affluent area with 48% reporting incomes of $100,000 or more.  Using this scale ($100,000) as indicator of affluence, the next most affluent areas in order are West Houston (48%), Central City (46%), North Houston (38%), Fort Bend (36%), SW Houston (29%), Clear lake, (17%).
• Education:  The known Jewish population is highly educated.  4 out of 5 Jewish adults have gone beyond high school and almost 2 out of 5 have an advanced degree.
• Generation:  51% of known Houston Jews are fourth generation (no foreign born parents or grandparents).  Houston’s Jews are increasingly Americanized.
• Patterns of Migration:  31% of Jewish movers came to Houston from elsewhere in Texas, 30% came from the East Coast.
• Decade of Migration:  Migration to Houston grew in the 1960’s, peaked in the 1970s, declined in the 80s and has picked up again in 2000.  Jewish migration has followed the economic cycle.
• Use of Services:  Counseling was most commonly needed social service among the broad Jewish population, reported by 17% of Jewish households.  Among senior households, transportation was reported as the needed service but only 7% of senior households used that service.
• Jewish Education:  Children in the known Jewish families have overwhelmingly (87%) received a Jewish education at some point, but only 35% continue after Bar/Bat Mitzvah.
• Jewish Camping:  Two-thirds of Jewish children went to a summer camp organized by a Jewish organization.  Half of those parents who did not send their kids to a Jewish summer camp would have preferred to do so if cost, quality and other factors were equal.
• Intermarriage:  Younger Jews are more likely to be married to a non-Jew.  Intermarried couples are disproportionately found in further out areas such as Clear Lake and North Houston.
• Children of Intermarriage:  72% of children of known intermarried couples in Houston are being raised as Jews (this is higher than in other Jewish communities).  The Houston Jewish community has a growing, but Jewish oriented population of intermarried Jews.  Outreach should be a priority.
• Synagogue Membership:  Almost 75% of the known Jewish households in Houston reported paying dues to a synagogue.  60% of those reported being affiliated with one of the three largest synagogues in Houston.

 

West Houston Growth

 

According to the West Houston Association report “West Houston Plan 2050”, by 2050 over one million new residents will come to  Greater West Houston (a 1,000 square mile urbanized section of Harris, Fort Bend and Waller Counties).   While the report does not delineate the likely demographics of these residents, we can assume that a portion will be Jewish.   More information should be sought to better understand this expected growth in West Houston and tailor outreach to those new residents.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

 

Special thanks and recognition for the following:

 

SinaiVision Committee

Irv Berger
Michael Brandt
Robin Converse
Ian Crawford
Emily Deakins
Thea Goldin Smith
Maria Korn-Michael
Spencer Marmelstein
Neill Nepo
Howard Neuwirth-Hirsch
Betty Sichel
David Simon
Debbie Simon
Karen Westall

 

Parlor Meeting Home Hosts:

Irv & Susan Berger
Michael & Stephanie Brandt
Ian & Suzanne Crawford
Kevin & Marla Hansel
Craig & Jodi Hoffman
Maria Korn-Michael & Paul Michael
Howard & Ellen Neuwirth-Hirsch
Roger & Iris Rochman
Fiona & Gerry Schicker
David & Debbie Simon

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