by Guest Blogger Molly Ritvo
Let’s face it: traditions change. Judaism continues to evolve. For many of us, our contemporary practice
today looks very different from the ways our parents and grandparents observed Judaism. We are
creating new ways to connect with the world in order to embrace contemporary expression and to stay
present. One way that Jewish organizations can remain connected to our current world is by embracing
technology.
I have witnessed many synagogues and Jewish organizations welcome change and utilize the many
robust opportunities that change can bring, such as new leadership, younger members, and more
vibrant programming. I have also witnessed other organizations resist the pull of technology. Having a
dynamic website and engaging content online will help you increase membership and fundraising while
helping your organization engage your existing members,
We live in an online world. We find dates and clothes and houses and couches jobs online. And
synagogue shopping is no different. When a Jewish family moves to a new town, the first place they
will look for a synagogue is online. Synagogue websites tell the story of their congregants; it shares
the vibe and the culture and the joys and challenges and the history of the people who make up your
community. If your synagogue has a boring and unexciting website (or even worse, no website at all),
you are losing prospective members. On the other hand, if your synagogue is utilizing social media, you
will come across as a savvy place that knows how to stay current. If your Rabbi understands that in order
to be an effective leader, she/he needs to reach congregants where they are, and for most of us, that is
online. According to the Pew Research Center, nearly 70% of adults are active on social networking sites.
If your organization isn't active on social media, you should consider joining audiences online. There are
many resources available that can help you do so.
Embracing technology will also increase philanthropy. Donors prefer to give online. Do you have
a dedicated donation page where your members can make a contribution or pledge? Successful
fundraising is about making it easy for the donor. Online giving takes away the need for dated
phoneathon pledging and can happen in real time, anywhere, any time of night without waiting for
the postal system. Additionally, online giving is more cost-effective. While it may cost up to $1.25 to
raise every dollar from a direct mail campaign, the cost of raising a dollar online is about 5 cents. And
lastly, and most importantly, online giving is important because of the demographic of who is giving.
Younger, more generous donors are online. According to Network for Good, the largest nonprofit site
for charitable giving, online givers are between the ages of 38-39 and give several times more than
offline donors.
Utilizing a vibrant, colorful website will increase membership and programming because members will
be able to know what kinds of programs your organization offers as you utilize easy-to-read calendar
functionality. Your members, and future members, will be able to receive up-to-date information
and news on their mobile phones, such as if Hebrew School is cancelled due to inclement weather.
Additionally, your teachers can offer lessons online so members who travel in the winter, or perhaps are
house-bound due to illness, can connect and learn with their peers.
Remember when you were a child and experienced the world though all of your senses? Remember
how learning new skills and competencies excited and delighted you? Let’s bring this sense of
wonderment into the Jewish world and embrace all the offerings that come with new technology. Let’s
find our community online and learn how to become digital storytellers as we build websites together
and discover unexpected connections.
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