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December 27, 2002/Tevet 22 5763, Vol. 55, No. 18
Removing financial barriers
Beth El responds to Valley's low affiliation rate
LEISAH NAMM
Managing Editor
In response to the low affiliation rate in the Valley's Jewish community, one local synagogue plans to offer free membership.
After the 2002 Greater Phoenix Jewish Community Study revealed that only 29 percent of Valley Jewish households said they belonged to a Jewish congregation - while 63 percent reported that being Jewish is very important to them - leaders at Beth El Congregation decided to try something new.
"We thought it might be appropriate to remove the financial barrier, at least for a period of time, to find out if (survey respondents who say being Jewish is important to them) indeed want to affiliate," said Herb Dreiseszun, Beth El president.
A synagogue member, who has asked to remain anonymous, offered to underwrite, from his charitable foundation, a one-year membership for individuals or families who join the Conservative congregation between Jan. 2 and May 31, 2003.
This member felt it was a shame that affiliation was so low and asked what could be done about it, said David Brook, Beth El executive director. They discussed the obstacles that block people from joining a synagogue and "naturally the first thing that comes to mind is financial," Brook said.
According to the 2002 demographic study, 23 percent of Jewish households reported that cost prevented them from joining a synagogue.
"(The donor) wants to give a family the opportunity to affiliate with a congregation without the embarrassment of asking for financial help, if that was the obstacle that stopped them before," Brook said.
The cost of an annual family membership at Beth El is $1,350. A single membership begins at $180 up to age 22 and increases about $100 every two years until age 33, where it caps at $700.
At the end of the first free year, Beth El will determine future membership costs based on each member's financial ability.
"It's a wonderful opportunity for a single person or a household ... to take advantage and really connect with a synagogue family," Brook said.
In 1984, 33 percent of Greater Phoenix Jewish households reported belonging to a congregation, according to a demographic study conducted that year. The population has since "skyrocketed" but the rate of affiliation has fallen, Brook said. "It doesn't make sense."
Greater Phoenix's 29 percent reported affiliation rate is lower than 34 percent in Las Vegas, 37 percent in Denver, and 34 percent in Los Angeles.
Rabbi Moshe Tutnauer, interim rabbi at Beth El, said the free membership program "is purely an attempt to reach out to people who are not affiliated" and not intended to undercut the dues structures of other congregations. Beth El is the only Conservative congregation in central Phoenix, he pointed out.
The free membership includes all the amenities of paid membership, including the opportunity for children to attend the synagogue's Talmud Torah, open only to members.
"The biggest expense when you're joining a synagogue is the membership," Brook said. "(The cost of) Talmud Torah is reasonable, considering you're getting nine months of education."
This benefit may also help children whose families can't afford Jewish day school. It will "give them the opportunity to attend our Talmud Torah and experience not only the educational aspects, but the socialization aspects," Brook said.
Beth El plans to form a subcommittee to evaluate the study and how it applies to the congregation, Brook said. "(The study) is a great tool."
At press time, Brook was scheduled to meet with executive directors from other Valley congregations to discuss what Valley synagogues can learn from the demographic study, which was released early this month.
Brook welcomes "the synagogues working together and educating ourselves on the study, because all of us experience the same kinds of growing pains and other issues that affect us all."
Certain restrictions apply to Beth El's free membership program. Call for details: 602-944-3359.
Contact the writer at leisah_namm@jewishaz.com.
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