Background / Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) from October, 2024
Discussions around potential Unification of Rodef Shalom Congregation and Temple Sinai.
Information as of October 10, 2024 (including information from the Town Halls, September, 17, 2024).
email for questions and to provide information or volunteer: info@412unity.org.
(Note: replies are handled by volunteers; your understanding is appreciated.)
Q: What is this all about?
A: In the Fall of 2023, our congregational presidents from Rodef Shalom Congregation (RSC) and Temple Sinai (TS) identified an opportunity and path forward to work together and to identify ways to take the next steps towards a stronger, more sustainable path for liberal Judaism in Pittsburgh.
Q: Is this a “done deal?”
A: No. Recommendations whether and how to unify our congregations will come from work still to be done through Category work by volunteers from both congregations. Nothing will be final unless and until voted on and approved by both congregations.
Q: What has happened so far?
A: In November and December 2023, exploratory dialogues were held among RSC and TS leadership. The respective Boards supported conversations regarding options for collaboration, including potential unification.
In March 2024, a Steering Committee (comprising past, present, and future presidents) was announced.
In April 2024, a few congregational representatives made an exploratory visit to Cleveland (where a unification has happened) and some exploration of models began.
In May and June 2024, we identified and brought onboard a disinterested (i.e. independent) consultant with experience in congregational unifications, David Weinberg.
In July and August 2024, following David Weinberg’s advice, we created Categories (major topics) to explore. The Steering Committee added an Education Category to the five that David had recommended. We also solicited Category Managers and Category Volunteers for each.
As of now (October 2024) Category groups (essentially committees of volunteers) have been formed, a Town Hall held (September 17), and Category volunteers have begun work. More volunteers are welcome (contact the Steering Committee or info@412unity.org).
Q: What’s the opportunity? Why now?
A: We have two amazing congregations, with much in common. It turns out that Pittsburgh’s urban focus is unusual in Reform Judaism. We believe we have an opportunity to collaborate to envision the next 10, 20, 50 years of Reform Judaism for succeeding generations. Pittsburgh has a history of groundbreaking thought, for example the Pittsburgh Platform (1885).
We see a wide range of opportunities for our future. We believe there are many benefits to a stronger, larger, centralized voice with combined resources utilizing our collective talents, as well as offering unified educational programming, infrastructure, and financial resources.
We have the opportunity to be aspirational and to both dream and plan for the future of Reform Judaism for our children and grandchildren.
Q: Is there a Mission/Vision/Values statement?
A: Vision matters! Our goal is to clarify the opportunities offered by unification that are not otherwise available.
The Steering Committee has drafted an initial version. We expect and aim for this to change through the work of the Categories, both in the near term and after a unification (provided one happens).
Here is that first draft:
Initial Mission/Vision/Values Statement
Our Mission is...
... to be a national leader in boldly and sustainably REIMAGINING Reform/Progressive/Liberal Judaism in the Pittsburgh region for the next 10, 20, and 30 years, for future generations.
… our Vision is to be a thriving, egalitarian Jewish community without boundaries that provides a dynamic, fun, energetic spiritual hub through faith and prayer, learning, community, shared experiences, safe connections, and celebration, through the full range of lifecycle events by meeting people where they are, as much as in a building supported by our members’ effort and skills as well as generosity.
… and we embrace the Jewish Values of
Spirituality, faith, and prayer; Jewish education and study/lifelong learning, music, and the arts, both traditional and new; Community and belonging that embrace everyone’s differing, personal, and changing Jewish experiences; Compassion: tikkun olam (social justice) and gemilut chasadim (acts of loving kindness), including for the vulnerable among us and beyond; and a blend of the traditional and the innovative, including our digital future.
Q: What are the challenges? Why now?
A: Challenges include the inertia that each congregation has developed over our long histories; the work of combining finances, human resources, traditions, coordinated governance, and buildings; and the emotional attachment that our members have to their respective congregations. Each of these challenges requires thoughtful attention, but we believe that none of them is insurmountable.
Q: Why this discussion? Why Now?
A: Real-World challenges, while not new, are upon us. These include challenges of community demographics, trends in affiliation, societal challenges, and the desire for safe spaces.
We believe we need to address these and change, whether we unify or not. As congregations, we are far from unique in having financial challenges.
Q: Who is our Unification consultant, David Weinberg?
A: David is a Cornell MBA and Managing Director of Penn Hudson, with more than 35 years helping for-profits/nonprofits transition (including more than $3B in transactions since 1988). His experience includes leading synagogue unification in Cherry Hill, NJ, where M'kor Shalom and Temple Emanuel unified to form Kol Ami in 2022. He currently volunteers as Vice President for Finance at Kol Ami. In addition to his work with us, he has also advised or is advising synagogues in New York and Arizona. David has also developed a relationship with the URJ and its staff on topics of synagogue unification. In the 1980s, he lived in (and enjoyed) and raised his family in Pittsburgh for a year.
Q: What Do We Mean by Unification?
A: Unification melds two organizations into a combined entity with communal goals and historical respect. (It is different from a merger, where one organization absorbs the other organization, with goals driven by only one.) Our focus is Unification.
Q: Why Consider Unification?
A: Unification is not principally a financial decision (although a combined, sustainable budget with better expected performance is a necessary outcome). Unification offers significant non-financial opportunities, especially relating to motivating new members who previously chose not to affiliate with a synagogue, a potentially expansive preschool and religious school, increased volunteerism, a new sense of responsibility to bring about the vision, and tangible Tikkun Olam.
There is a sense that a unified synagogue comes with new responsibilities to bring about the vision. David Weinberg’s work on the unified congregation that is now Kol Ami in New Jersey is an example. Since unification, it has experienced significant growth in affiliation, in the preschool, and in the religious school, with additional enhanced programming and volunteerism.
Q: What are the Categories? Who are the Category Managers? The Steering Committee?
A: Please see this page.
Q: What steps (due diligence) have been taken so far?
A: They include formation of a Steering Committee, an early Unified vision statement, bringing a consultant (David Weinberg) on board, formation of Categories and subcategories to provide structure, and selection of Category Managers from both congregations.
We already have more than 120 volunteers participating within the Categories, which will perform much of the due diligence work.
Q: What are the next steps?
A: In the coming weeks (after Sukkot), Category and subcategory volunteers will be active in conversation and information gathering. They will communicate as the work proceeds. We are working with a continuing focus on assessment and information/data-driven guidance. Recommendations will emerge as their work proceeds.
Q: What is the ultimate goal?
A: We are working together to determine whether unification is the best option for both synagogues.
Q: How would a unification be approved?
A: Unification must be approved by votes of the memberships of both congregations, likely in the Spring of 2025.
Q: Is this enough time to work through the process?
A: Based on other unifications and David Weinberg's experiences, this is an appropriate schedule that respects the process and recognizes the need to stay focused and energized. We may adjust as the work proceeds.
Q: What are some of the “must haves?”
A: Our members continue to look for: worship opportunities, vibrant music, thriving education, active outreach, tikkun olam, diversity and inclusion, financial sustainability, opportunities for greater commitment across generations, honoring our history as Reform Jews and the histories of both congregations, and a new shared identity and shared home for all.
We will need to work to create a sustainable multi-year financial model and a clear, data-driven vision of and plan for our future space needs. These conversations will depend on the work of the Categories.
Q: Which building would a Unified congregation be in? Might there be a “third option?”
A: This is not decided and will require fact- and data-driven work. We have begun to study the issue, working with an independent architectural firm.
Q: What style of services can we anticipate if we unify?
A: The Ritual Category will be working on this.
Q: What is the current combined size of our congregations?
A: Together we have around 1300 families.
Q: What would the name of a unified congregation be?
A: A lot of Category work will go into this.
Q: How can I get involved?
A: Thank you for asking! Contact a member of the Steering Committee or email info@412unity.org.