Conference taveng::bagels

In the orthodox world, many people regularly attend a synagogue without
becoming members.  I believe that some shuls don't even have the concept
of "member" -- you give money when you get an aliyah, have a yahrzeit, etc.

    re: .1
    
    That would explain some of the data, but it would not explain it with
    respect to Conservative and Reform synagogues.  The curious thing,
    according to Tobin, was the proportionality they found: twice as many
    people reported belonging to specific synagogues as those particular
    synagogues had on their books.  E.g., a survey might find that 10%
    claimed membership in the Orthodox synagogue, 20% in the Conservative,
    and 20% in the Reform, out of a community of say, 10,000.  That should
    work out to 1000, 2000, 2000, but actual membership turned out to be
    more like 500, 1000, 1000.  (These are not actual figures, but are
    solely to illustrate the point.)
    
    					Aaron

I know that our Reform Temple pays dues to the national organization
proportional to the total "membership". However, not every family can
afford our full membership dues. So our board of directors adds up the
total dues collected, divides by the dues-per-family, and computes the
number of "equivalent" families. We use this number to pay dues to
the national organization. It would sure throw off the statistics if
every synagogue did this...

Dave

    Aaron, I found your statements about outreach to be very moving.
    
    In the course of my work as a leader of our Jewish Constituency Group
    (part of DEC's diversity program), I have found outreach to be a major
    component.
    
    When I started this organization, I did it to improve the working
    climate  and to make DEC a more attractive employer to Jewish
    candidates.  I want DEC hiring managers to recognize and appreciate the
    high level of education and commitment in their Jewish employees and
    candidates.  I have other goals but this one is primary.
    
    Very quickly after formation another goal came out.  A number of
    non-affiliated Jews became involved.  Some are or have been
    intermarried.  Some are singles.  They have told me that they do not
    know where they fit in the existing organized community.  They feel
    more comfortable connecting with other Jews through this workplace
    organization.  They are tentatively exploring their identities and
    trying out Jewish practices, like not eating leavened food during
    Passover.  Some people, both affiliated and nonaffiliated, have said
    that the existing institutions do not meet their needs.
    
    The outreach programs support people's self esteem.  Thus, they
    indirectly help develop better employees.
    
    When I first spoke to Sherry Israel, the Brandeis professor who will
    deliver a workshop at LKG about the demography survey, she expressed
    strong interest in the constituency group work.  She sees the workplace
    as an unexplored method of outreach.  The work that we are doing here
    is truly groundbreaking.
    
    I don't know how the constituency group will develop.  Since this is
    the first such program (to my knowledge), it will continue to be
    experimental.   The support group meetings, in particular,  have been
    valuable for those who are exploring their identities.
    
    I invite BAGELS readers to participate.  We are now developing a
    mission statement for a national (international?) umbrella
    organization.  I hope to stimulate the development of other local
    constituency groups.  As more people get involved, this will be
    possible.  Send me your VAXmail address, first name, DTN and site code
    if you want to be on the master distribution list.
    
    Regards,
    Laura
    

    Arron, the outreach is one area where I can agree with you 100%. :-)
    Laura, sounds like you are doing an important job, let me know, if I
    can help; I don't have too much time and don't live in Boston, but...
    
    Jake