Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
email for questions and to provide information or volunteer: info@412unity.org.
(Note: replies are handled by volunteers; your understanding is appreciated.)
For more background, FAQs, and information from October, 2024, please see our October FAQ page.
Discussions around potential Unification of Rodef Shalom Congregation and Temple Sinai.
Information and selected answers as of May 27, 2025 (in progress; more being added from member suggestions).
Temple Sinai and Rodef Shalom Congregation have been discussing potential unification. In 2023, the Boards of Temple Sinai and Rodef Shalom charged a Steering Committee with exploring the possibility of unification. Since then, the Steering Committee has led this investigation with significant input from our clergy, the executive director of Temple Sinai, Drew Barkley, and our congregants.
Based on the recommendation of the Steering Committee, both Boards have accepted the Steering Committee’s recommendation that our congregations vote to move forward with unification – specifically, to make a brit (a covenantal commitment) to unify. Congregational votes are scheduled for June 8, 2025 for each congregation. Here are some key questions and answers.
Opportunity
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.
Each congregation has also seen declining membership, consistent with affiliation in the Reform movement generally.
Together, we have the opportunity to be aspirational and to both dream and plan for the future of Reform Judaism for our children and grandchildren.
Process
Q: What will the congregations be voting on in June? [1.6]
A: We are voting on the intent to unify and a commitment (a brit; essentially a memorandum of understanding) to the unification process and to each other, as well as to the additional steps during 2025-26 towards unification. We are also voting to:
Work together to pick a new name.
Be led by a clergy team including Senior Rabbi Dan Fellman and Cantor David Reinwald. In 2025-2026 Rabbi Fellman and Cantor Reinwald will be joined by Interim Rabbi David Young. Post-unification, the congregation would hire an Assistant or Associate Rabbi.
Locate at the building at Morewood and Fifth, with plans for short- and long-term changes as needed (see below).
Have a sustainable operating budget by fiscal year 2027-2028, based on a congregational pledge model and relying on at most a 5% draw from our endowment.
Have a religious school, initially led by Rabbi Larry Freedman and Rabbi Fellman, in which Beth Shalom is invited to continue as a partner.
Be supported by a staff led by Drew Barkley as Executive Director.
Be led, during transition, by a lay “Management Team” made up equally of members of “legacy Rodef Shalom” and “legacy Temple Sinai” (with oversight of the respective boards of each).
The resolution on which Temple Sinai will vote may be found here. Rodef Shalom will vote on a parallel resolution (with the references to the congregations reversed).
Q: What are the logistics for the actual vote? [1.2]
A: The meeting will be hybrid (in person and online) and votes can be made either way. Zoom provides for dial-in for congregants unable to join their respective meeting either in person or via computer. Please see additional emails from your respective congregation for more specific details on voting mechanics.
Q: Will we see finances and draft bylaws for the meeting? [1.3]
A: We have prepared and shared a financial analysis with projections. After an affirmative vote, outside counsel will draft the full bylaws as part of the process outlined by the brit.
Q: What is the timeline? [1.8]
A: Upon a positive unification vote in June we will enter into an interim agreement (Memorandum of Understanding) to share clergy and staff. The current proposed timeline is as follows, each step dependent on the last.
April/May: ✅ Boards voted on recommendations to the congregations
May: Congregational work, with an outside consultant, begins on a possible vision for a unified congregation
June: Congregations vote to go forward with unification process
July 1, 2025: Congregations begin to operate under a Joint Operating Agreement, with a Joint Management Committee (with oversight of the boards); provisions to address a "move" to 5th and Morewood; Rabbi Dan Fellman leads the clergy; Drew Barkley leads the staff.
July 2025: Additional joint services and activities
Fall 2025: High Holidays with some joint programming (TBD)
July-Fall 2025: Continue Strategic/Business Planning and legal work towards final unification
Fall 2025: Congregations vote to ratify unification / approve materials for Pennsylvania Attorney General and Court
Winter 2025/Spring 2026: Anticipated Pennsylvania Attorney General and Court approval
Location and Space Options
Q: Why the recommendation to unify at Fifth and Morewood? [3.7]
A: Per multiple architectural consultants as well as another external architect with extensive Pittsburgh history and experience, the site at Fifth and Morewood is the more feasible location due to its larger footprint (based on the combined household size of both congregations), parking lot (if we were to modify the Forbes/Murdoch property, a parking structure would need to be constructed), existing preschool facility, rental income opportunity, and siting (relative to the surrounding neighborhood). This is also an opportunity to recognize the importance of the Rodef Shalom building to an historic congregation and Reform Judaism generally.
Q: Did we look for opportunities to rent space instead of continuing to own and maintain a building? [2.1]
A: We looked at many options and did not find a programmatically and financially suitable alternative to remaining in one of the existing buildings. As there are many physical requirements (location, education spaces, childcare spaces, worship spaces, kitchen, staff offices, etc., and operations/logistics necessities (security, accessibility, etc.) there was not a clear rental solution that would meet our needs without extensive and expensive build out.
Q: Tree of Life Congregation is planning a new building and previously had tenants. Did we attempt to make an arrangement with them? [2.2]
A: There were discussions with Tree of Life during the planning of their new facility but there was not a good fit for sharing space at their location due to their updated mission, priorities, timeline and plans for their building. Our timeline mandates a nearer-term solution with more certainty. Tree of Life formally “broke ground” some time ago and now they are redesigning a smaller footprint. We must be able to control our destiny in a better way.
Q: What other specific locations/options were researched? [2.3]
A: Traditional and non-traditional structures/spaces were considered (with the help of architectural firm Rothschild Doyno Collaborative) within a specified radius of both congregations.
How Might Combining In One Location with Combined Programs Work?
Q: What modifications to the buildings/site at Fifth and Morewood have been considered for a unified congregation?
A: The architecture consultants have proposed various long term modifications to the exterior land/landscaping that can be explored post unification for improved aesthetics, security, and more efficient flow on the site. These include work to further build our model of a community-centric "Third Place," subject to raising needed funds. Any modifications will be determined by the new, unified congregation.
Q: Do we foresee any issues with building renovations at Rodef Shalom? [3.1]
A: Our architectural consultants identified no significant barriers to unifying at Fifth and Morewood, or physically adjusting the building to meet the needs of a larger, unified congregation. Of course, as with any architecture project, the permitting process will happen alongside the architectural design process which will occur after the unified congregation begins working with architects and contractors. Plans will need to be developed, agreed upon, drafted, and submitted for approvals.
Q: Which building updates or modifications at Fifth and Morewood do we anticipate? How would they be paid for? [3.2, 3.8]
A: As noted above, long term building updates or modifications will fall within the purview of the New Congregation. There is a short term and immediate commitment to making all of the ark(s) at Fifth and Morewood accessible, as well as consolidation of the clergy offices on the first floor of the building. It is anticipated that the short-term modifications will not require much expense for either Rodef Shalom or Temple Sinai. The potential sale of the facility at Forbes and Murdoch may be used for some renovation expenses. Additionally, for more aspirational and long-term changes, we anticipate seeking additional funds through philanthropy. As noted above, as with any architectural project, substantial remodeling is a significant process, requiring many months of study and work by the unified congregation.
Q: What will happen to Temple Sinai's memorial plaques, donor plaques, and artwork? What about existing plaques at Rodef Shalom? Will Temple Sinai and Rodef Shalom commemorations be equally prominent? Similarly, what will happen to various religious artifacts of the congregations (e.g. Torah scrolls)? [3.3, 4.6]
A: Temple Sinai memorial and donor plaques will be brought to the building at Fifth and Morewood and honored appropriately with the existing materials and spaces at the site. We note that the nature of the plaques differs between congregations. Similarly, art from Temple Sinai will be brought to Fifth and Morewood, and the combined collection will be evaluated by the new congregation. The details will be determined through committee work of the new congregation and in consultation with architects as appropriate.
Q: What will happen to Temple Sinai's vegetable garden, a tikkun olam project to feed the hungry? [3.4]
A: There is a commitment to continue to have a vegetable garden. As a complement, Rodef Shalom has a Biblical Garden.
Q: Where will everyone park for big events such as High Holidays? [3.9]
A: For major events, including the High Holidays, the city grants parking permits for Fifth Avenue and the surrounding areas. We expect that a unified congregation will be able to park in the parking lot and these surrounding streets.
Q: If we combine, where do Dor Hadash, Tree of Life, and other tenants go? [3.13]
A: There will be continued dialogue with the Fifth/Morewood tenants after a positive unification vote as well as organizations that rent space from Temple Sinai, which will be informed by existing leases or other agreements with those tenants and organizations.
Q: What happens to J-JEP and Next DOR if we unify? Is there an impact on Beth Shalom? [4.2]
A: Rabbi Larry Freedman and Rabbi Dan Fellman are working on plans for a potential combined religious school, with a new name, in which Beth Shalom will be invited to continue as a partner. After an approved unification vote there will be additional work to combine the two existing religious school programs.