Congregational Forum: A Vision For Our Future

A Note About Our May 13, 2024 Meeting

Dear Congregants,

Last night before a full house in the Rudin Chapel, our TBE Visioning Team shared what we have learned and our key focus areas as we chart the future of our congregation.  

We were clear and transparent: Our congregation faces some significant challenges, and if we don’t do anything to address them, these challenges will become more acute as time goes on. But that’s not going to happen.

It’s not going to happen because the leadership of this temple is smart and forward-thinking and proactive. We see what is on the horizon and we will not wait passively for it to come. Rather, we will embrace it with clarity and purpose, we will own it, and we will take control of our destiny.

It would be much easier, in the short term at least, to kick the can down the road—and that’s exactly what too many congregations do. They wait and wait and wait until their hand is forced and their fate is decided for them. That’s why, according to data from the URJ, an average of four Reform congregations close their doors every year.

But we’re not going to be among them.

Actually, quite the opposite: We believe that our congregation is positioned to be a leader in shaping the future of pluralistic Judaism on the North Shore for years to come. We have a clear vision of what that looks like, we have the resources to make it happen, and we have the leadership to see it through.

But make no mistake about it: To get there will take courage and bold action. We will have to make difficult decisions.

The next chapter of our great story will honor our past, but it will not look exactly like the past. The Jewish world is changing all around us and we have to change with it. We will change with it.

The following are the key takeaways from last night’s congregational forum:

1.     Our Vivid Vision. The Jewish world around us is changing, and we are choosing to embrace and lead that change. Our vision is to remain a vibrant pluralistic congregation in Great Neck for many years to come. We are studying the issues from every angle, and we are prepared to make bold, informed decisions to realize that vision.

2.     Demographics. The share of Jewish families moving into Great Neck has fallen by nearly 50 percent since 2007, while the Reform population has steadily declined due to aging and relocation. It is clear that we need to reach beyond the Great Neck peninsula to sustain our congregation.

3.     Membership & Finances. Due to these demographic changes, our membership has declined nearly 30 percent since 2020, causing our dues revenue to decrease each year. Meanwhile, the expenses of maintaining our large building—$700,000 to $1 million per year—continue to rise as the facility ages and needs repairs. These trends are combining to create substantial budget deficits that hinder our ability to pursue our mission. It is clear we need to do something to mitigate the costs of the building.

4.     Our Building. Our building was built to house a much larger congregation than we are today. At approximately 500 families, we no longer need—and can no longer afford—a 120,000 square-foot facility. We plan to engage a real estate advisor to help us understand what space we actually need and how we might adapt and/or monetize the building to benefit the TBE of today.

5.     Partnerships & Synergies. We are speaking with a number of synagogues in the area about opportunities for consolidation, space- and resource-sharing arrangements, and other collaborative structures that can help build a strong foundation for the future. Our potential partners include many local synagogues and we hope you'll join us for upcoming joint events where we can to get to know each other in a friendly and informal setting.

Thank you for your dedication to Temple Beth-El. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at visioning@tbegreatneck.org. Please also check out the Visioning section of our website at www.tbegreatneck.org/visioning.

This is a new season in the life of Temple Beth-El. It is exciting, it is promising, and it is sacred. We will embrace the challenges of the present and step boldly into the future. With your support, we will decide our destiny.

L’shalom,

Gary Slobin, President

Jordana Levine, Executive Vice President

Rabbi A. Brian Stoller

Stuart Botwinick, Executive Director

Chazak, Chazak, V’nitchazek – From Strength to Strength May We Be Strengthened