CO-STAR Blog - Sharing insights about synagogue life

STAR’s Synaplex™ congregations frequently ask themselves: In what ways can we be more welcoming? How do we deepen relationships with our members and program participants? These questions, and others like them, become more frequent in the fall as the synagogue program year begins and synagogue leadership considers the possibilities the High Holidays present.

It’s no secret synagogues typically experience increased participation from members and non-members during the High Holiday period. Connecting with one another and community, praying and celebrating Judaism are among the reasons people come to synagogue during the High Holidays.  We all strive to be “welcoming” during this time, and there is no doubt synagogues honestly believe the often used tag-line “we are a welcoming congregation.” But what exactly does this mean and how exactly is this demonstrated?

At Temple Aliyah’s Pathways Rosh Hashanah (alternative) morning service, Rabbi Rachel Bovitz spoke of Abraham as a role model for welcoming people and making them feel comfortable in his home – physically and spiritually. Rabbi Bovitz emphasized that at a deeper level Abraham was modeling the mitzvah of HaChnasat Orchim: Letting in Guests, and that we should consider it a privilege to be joined by others – whether strangers or people we know.

As we build upon this opportunity the High Holiday period provides for engaging people in synagogue life, let’s be aware of the ways in which we “let people in,” perhaps even creating new methods to do so… after all, this is a mitzvah in which we should be proud to take part.

What are some of the ways your synagogue practices the mitzvah of HaChnasat Orchim – Letting in Guests? We’d love to hear from you.  (Use Add a Comment, below,) 

L’shanah Tovah,

Marsha Rothpan
STAR Senior Program Officer

Learn more about Synaplex, our free initiative supporting synagogues to engage more people through programmatic choices, creating connections and strengthening community.