The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism has recognized Congregation Beth David in Saratoga for innovative programming, honoring the synagogue’s Netivot Haneshama program as displaying the “highest level [of] innovation and impact.”
Netivot Haneshama, or “Pathways of the Soul,” is an hour-long learning and prayer program that Beth David launched this year as an alternative to its Shabbat morning service. Four Saturday mornings a month, a rotating group of rabbis and lay people lead sessions on a wide range of Jewish topics including studying the Torah portion, learning about the prayers and ritual of the Torah service itself and using drama and improvisation to delve deeper into Torah.
At the USCJ convention in Illinois last month, Beth David presented the program and received one of two national Solomon Schechter awards, out of 190 entries.
“We thought that Beth David was doing wonderful work with understanding the needs of their congregants,” said Rabbi Andrea Merow, co-chair of the awards committee. “Netivot Haneshama really offered lots of different ways … into synagogue life in terms of prayer.”
Ahavath Achim Synagogue of Atlanta won the other Schechter award, for a program that advocates for the prevention of sex trafficking of children. Thirteen other programs were recognized for excellence, including Congregation Kol Shofar in Tiburon for its Center for Jewish Spirituality.
At Beth David, “Rabbi [Philip] Ohriner came into the position as senior rabbi [after Rabbi Daniel Pressman retired last year] with this idea that he wanted to make sure that the synagogue had a completely open door for people who wanted to explore Judaism from all vantage points and not allow just one pathway in,” said Rabbi Leslie Alexander, the synagogue’s rabbi of community engagement and outreach, who leads the Netivot Haneshama program once a month. “There are many people who are yearning for experiences in Jewish life and want to connect Jewishly but don’t necessarily connect to the traditional service … You can pretty much go any week of the month and approach Judaism and the [Torah] portion of the week and the prayer that we pray from a vantage point that’s more comfortable and engaging to you.”
A future Netivot Haneshama session will use Hassidic texts to explore mindfulness and meditation. The program is deliberately open-ended in order to encourage ongoing exploration of Judaism, Alexander said.
“The real way to approach Jewish life, learning and prayer has always involved numerous options,” Alexander said. “We’re looking for something that’s genuine, that brings together the best of our tradition with the things that really spark people’s souls.”
Beth David has lately expanded its innovative thinking in another direction. This summer, the synagogue ended mandatory dues for members, instead transitioning toward a “sustaining model” of voluntary contributions.
The aim is to reverse the congregation’s trend of declining membership by lowering a major barrier to entry while creating a more positive attitude around financially supporting the community. Beth David joins a small but growing number of congregations nationwide that are rethinking the traditional dues model. Those include Congregation Kol Shofar in Tiburon and Congregation Beth Chaim in Danville. (Congregation Emanu-El in San Francisco adopted voluntary dues in the late 1990s but abandoned the model in 2008.) Many synagogues have seen membership as well as revenue grow under the voluntary model.
“We just want to make it possible for people to come,” said Alexander, noting that those with financial hardship will no longer have to disclose their private financial details in order to pay a lower rate. Instead of dues, which imply obligation, membership donations are considered tzedakah. The synagogue will publish a “sustaining number,” or suggested donation, each year, and ask for an annual pledge, but members can choose to donate more or less than that amount. Full fees are still required for religious school.
“We believe more people will choose to be involved with the community and along with that will come greater support from the community,” Alexander said. “We can trust people who care about the community to make sure the community thrives.”
Beth David has about 500 member households, and also has started the ball rolling on a major renovation project. The 52-year-old synagogue has recently seen an influx of new members, Alexander said, adding that revenue has been healthy in the months since the policy was introduced.
“This is all a part of Beth David’s goal to provide a no-barrier approach to Jewish life,” Alexander said.