Providing planning resources and solutions specific to the unique needs of small Jewish congregations, empowering each to secure its own future.

Dear Friends,

As we are approaching the High Holiday season, we want to thank each of you for your partnership with the Jewish Community Legacy Project. Our work together is so meaningful and will continue to impact Jewish communities and people for generations to come.

Our hope is that 5784 will bring us continued success in helping small communities plan for their unique futures and create lasting connections between Jewish leaders across the country. We wish you all a happy, healthy New Year.

Shana Tovah,

Sincerely,

David Sarnat, President & Founder

Noah Levine, CEO

Did you know that to-date, we have helped 256 small Jewish communities with their continuity planning? But our work is far from complete. We are currently working with 19 active community partnerships in 14 states and in Canada! In order to secure the future of more Jewish congregations, we need your support.

In honor of Rosh Hashanah and our meaningful work, please consider making a donation to the Jewish Community Legacy Project today.

Community Spotlight: Sons of Jacob – Waterloo, Iowa

Waterloo, Iowa like so many other small cities saw an influx of Jewish people in the late 19^th Century. The large Jewish population built a synagogue and became active in the larger community; however, in recent years, the Jewish population started to shrink substantially – the younger generation not moving back home after college – and those who remain are aging. Add on to this, geographic isolation from other Jewish communities and people, and the situation seems grim. The committed community members wanted to keep their beloved congregation, Sons of Jacob, viable for as long as possible, but they were not sure what to do or how to make it work.

That’s when JCLP stepped in with ideas, guidance, support and connections. “I was concerned we would just be shutting our doors,” shares Bobbi Kazenelson, longtime Sons of Jacob member and Board President. “But that isn’t the direction we headed in. There are other options - relocation, selling your property - for maintaining a Jewish presence, which was essential to us. You do have to be patient with the process. We started thinking about this a decade ago.”

According to Naomi McCormick, chair of the long-range planning committee and Board member, the key to their success was engaging the community. “Based on JCLP guidance, we researched and surveyed the community – both congregants and friends. We held interviews and asked constituents for feedback about our options and priorities.”

The process SOJ underwent took 3 to 4 years and engaged congregants along the way. Ultimately, the vote was centered around the fact that the community is people-centered, so selling the building and downsizing was the right move. Congregants did not want to get online, and they didn’t want to go to Cedar Rapids, a few hours away.

“We want to keep our identity and our community,” says Naomi. “For any congregation, property is an enormous expense. As Judaism adapts to modern life, synagogues have to as well. Selling our building and moving into a smaller, rented space is allowing us to continue on as Sons of Jacob.”

The logistical and financial ramifications of selling property is a huge undertaking. One piece of the process leaders were less prepared for was the emotional toll this change would have on so many people in the community. There has been a grieving process among congregants even though Sons of Jacob is still an active synagogue community.

“We all had important moments – lifecycle events there,” says Naomi. “One idea we got from JCLP was giving people a tangible way to say goodbye to the physical space. We joined together with hands held down the aisle to the bima for the last service in the building and people had the opportunity to share stories and memories.”

As we enter 5784, SOJ will enter their new space as a congregation. “We are launching the new site for High Holidays,” says Bobbi. “We’ve done a few test runs there, and it’s nice being closer together. It feels warm and we have the ark doors from old building beside our new ark, which is a nice touch.”

The impact of the experience the community had through their work with JCLP speaks for itself. People who had not been involved in years are re-engaged thanks to involvement in the planning process. “We are still small, but we are doing more than before,” says Bobbi. “Having people is crucial to our long-term success. I hope we can continue for more years with this new smaller scale and maintain Jewish presence in the community.”

Naomi echoes, “It is hard, but we can do it. We know it’s not a one-shot thing and we would not be where we are today without JCLP. “

Learn more about JCLP’s community continuity work on our website.