local
How Do Synagogues
Define Members in a Time of
Changing Family Demographics?
P JARRAD SAFFREN | STAFF WRITER
icture the typical synagogue
family in the Philadelphia
area. What do you see? Young
parents and young kids? Maybe mid-
dle-aged parents and teenagers?
OK, maybe that’s an outdated pic-
ture in an era of declining synagogue
attendance. Perhaps today, the more
typical temple family is just an older
couple. Or, if not quite old yet, they are
an empty-nester couple with kids who
just moved out.

But that’s not quite right, either. The
reality, instead, is this: In 2022/5782
(and almost 5783), there is no typical
synagogue family anymore.

Like people, synagogues today
contain multitudes. There are young
parents with young kids and mid-
dle-aged parents with teenagers. There
are empty-nesters and old couples.

There are singles and non-Jews.

Philadelphia-area shuls do not even
use the word “family” to describe a con-
gregant group. Two Orthodox rabbis said
they define their members as “individu-
als.” A non-denominational rabbi said
the same thing. Several Conservative and
Reform leaders use the terms “house-
holds” and “membership units.” A
Reconstructionist rabbi explained that
he counts someone as a member when he
gets their email address.

But all of those descriptions adhere to
the same Jewish principle. In the Torah,
God tells the Jews to care for orphans,
widows and strangers. And in explain-
ing their modern approach to defining
members, rabbis expressed a desire to
turn no Jewish person, aspiring convert
or Jewish-adjacent person away.

“We fully understand and appreci-
ate that a member could be a single
person,” said Rabbi Geri Newburge
of Main Line Reform Temple-Beth
Elohim in Wynnewood. “Or it could
be a household of six or seven.”
According to Rabbi Isaac Leizerowski,
the leader of the Orthodox Congregation
Beth Midrash HaRav B’Nai Jacob in
Philadelphia, there’s a Jewish adage
from the Talmud that says “each person
is a world unto themselves.”
So, Leizerowski tries not to count his
congregants by the amount who pay
dues. His shul does have a member-
ship structure, and there are about 80
people who pay. The regular attendees
understand that the lights need to stay
on, the rabbi explains.

But the Philadelphia congregation
also lets in anyone who wants to pray.

As Leizerowski put it, that individ-
ual could be a 15-year-old boy or an
85-year-old man.

“You never know who’s going to be
Artist Keith Lutz Painting
Free Decorating, Design & Color Consultation with any estimates.

Exclusive Women’s Apparel Boutique
Made in USA
Custom designs, color options and
free alterations available
Evening Gowns
Suits/Separates Cocktail Dresses
61 Buck Road
Huntingdon Valley,
PA 19006
www.elanaboutique.com (215)953-8820
Make an appointment
to consult with the designer
Monday-Friday 10am-3pm
10 SEPTEMBER 15, 2022 | JEWISHEXPONENT.COM
☐ ☐
☐ ☐
☐ These are some of our services to check off the list:
Faux Finishing
☐ Murals
Fine Interior Painting
☐ Bathroom Remodeling
Exterior Painting
☐ Carpentry
Safety Railings
☐ Reproduce any surface
Fix any product
☐ Work at any location
Check our website at
artistkeithlutzpainting.com, we love to help.

Find us on Google Maps,
Artist Keith Lutz Painting.

Restore your front door by visiting our website,
use our call now button.

artistkeithlutzpainting.com