HOW I HELP
Sometimes You Need Someone Outside the Congregation to Look at What You’re Doing Inside.
I help synagogue boards, rabbis, and executive directors turn scattered communication into a practical strategy for stronger engagement, belonging, and congregational growth by providing synagogue marketing services.
You May Be Doing a Lot of Marketing Without Knowing What Is Actually Working.
Most synagogue marketing isn't failing because for lack of effort. It\'s failing because of fragmented initiatives, inconsistent messaging, and a lack of clear data. When every committee is shouting for attention, your congregants stop listening to everyone.
Email Saturation
Sending more emails doesn't lead to more engagement. It leads to higher unsubscribe rates and members missing what matters most.
Digital Friction
A website that acts as a storage closet rather than a front door makes it difficult for new people to find their way in.
Event Dependency
Relying on big events to drive connection creates spikes in attendance but leaves the weekly community life feeling hollow.
Audience Blindness
Marketing to the whole congregation often means your message is relevant to nobody in particular.
Fragmented Voice
When every committee has its own megaphone, the congregation\'s core message gets lost in the noise.
Missing Impact
Without tracking what actually drives connection, you're destined to repeat the same ineffective patterns every year.
The goal is not to communicate more.
It is to communicate more intentionally.
Intentional communication focuses energy on the people, the moments, and the messages that build lasting belonging.
THE FLAGSHIP SERVICE
The Synagogue Marketing & Engagement Audit
How effectively is your synagogue turning communication into participation?
WEBSITE
User experience, mobile optimization, event discovery, and visual identity.
PROGRAM & EVENT PROMOTION
Lead times, registration flow, outreach strategy, and multi-channel integration.
BRAND & MESSAGING
Consistency of voice, visual identity, and clarity of congregational purpose.
The goal is not to give every category equal attention. The goal is to identify the areas where change can have the greatest impact for your congregation.
What Does the Audit Examine?
The Synagogue Marketing & Engagement Audit is a comprehensive review across nine key categories of communication and connection.
EMAIL COMMUNICATION
Open rates, formatting, frequency, and subject line effectiveness.
MEMBER ENGAGEMENT JOURNEY
Onboarding for new members, path to involvement, and follow-up processes.
PRINT, SIGNAGE & IN-PERSON COMMUNICATION
Bulletin/Newsletter quality, physical signage, and lobby experience.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Channel selection, content mix, frequency, and engagement patterns.
AUDIENCE SEGMENTATION
Life-stage relevant messaging and targeted communication groups.
INTERNAL COMMUNICATION PROCESS
Workflow between clergy, staff, and committees for sharing information.
How the Process Works
A practical process designed to understand first and recommend second.
01
Discovery
We begin with a deep exploration of your synagogue's mission and engagement goals.
02
Information Gathering
Review of website analytics, email performance, and existing communication workflows.
03
Leadership Perspective
Interviews with clergy and staff to understand current challenges and future vision.
04
Independent Audit & Analysis
A comprehensive review of all touchpoints through the eyes of various congregant personas.
05
Findings & Recommendations
A presentation of the findings along with a clear, prioritized action plan for leadership.
Strategic Roadmap
A high-level document outlining your primary strategic objectives and the path to achieving them over the next 12–18 months.
Gap Assessment
Identification of the friction points in the engagement journey where people are dropping off or failing to connect.
You Don’t Need Another Report That Sits on a Shelf.
The Synagogue Marketing & Engagement Audit is designed for action. You receive a clear, prioritized roadmap that moves your congregation from where you are to where you need to be.
Leadership Presentation Deck
A visuals-driven summary of findings designed to help you brief your board or executive leadership team and gain alignment.
Detailed Analysis & Insights
A comprehensive review of your current communication touchpoints through the eyes of various congregant personas.
Immediate Action Plan
A list of high-impact changes that can be implemented right away to see immediate improvement in clarity and engagement.
The goal is clarity—not complexity.
Marketing Experience Is Only Half of the Equation.
- Sacred communities don’t operate like corporations.
- Boards of Trustees are not Boards of Directors.
- Congregants are not customers.
- Decisions are made based on values and relationships, not just ROI.
- Tradition and change must live in the same space.
I Understand Both Sides.
My perspective was shaped from the inside. I grew up in a family where synagogue leadership was part of everyday life. As an adult, I have served in synagogue board and committee leadership across marketing, religious life, and governance. Professionally, I bring decades of experience in strategy and communications. This allows me to bridge the gap between professional discipline and communal sensitivity.
“You shouldn’t have to translate your synagogue’s reality to a marketing agency that doesn’t understand the word ‘Kehillah.’”
I Look at Your Synagogue Through the Eyes of the People You’re Trying to Reach.
THE UNAFFILIATED YOUNG FAMILY
“Is this a place where we’ll feel welcome, or will we feel like outsiders?”
THE B’NAI MITZVAH PARENT
“I’m overwhelmed. I just need to know what to do and when to do it.”
THE EMPTY NESTER
“Our kids are gone. Is there still a place for us here beyond writing a check?”
THE PERSPECTIVE MEMBER
“I looked at the website, but I couldn’t figure out what actually happens there.”
THE ENGAGED VOLUNTEER
“I want to help, but I’m tired. I wish things were just a little better organized.”
Effective synagogue marketing begins by listening to the voices you’re not currently hearing.
This Is Not a Report Card on Your Staff or Volunteers.
I understand the realities of synagogue operations—where limited time and resources often collide with high expectations. The goal of this process is not to point out what is being done wrong. It is to provide leadership with an independent, objective perspective so you can align your efforts for the greatest impact.
Keep what works.
Improve what can be better.
Stop what no longer serves you.
Add what is missing.
A clear, prioritized roadmap for the next 12 months.
A stronger sense of belonging for new and long-time members.
What Could Become Better?
The Synagogue Marketing & Engagement Audit is designed to move you away from guesswork and toward an intentional, sustainable communication strategy.
Alignment between clergy, staff, and lay leadership.
Reduced noise and more relevant communication for your members.
Increased attendance at programs and services.
Greater confidence in your synagogue’s message and brand.
Clarity is the first step toward stronger engagement.
Is This the Right Starting Point for Your Synagogue?
THIS AUDIT MAY BE RIGHT FOR YOU IF:
IT MAY BE ESPECIALLY VALUABLE BEFORE:
- You feel like you are doing a lot but don't know what is working.
- You are struggling to engage different demographic groups.
- You have a fragmented communication process across committees.
- Members consistently report they "didn't know" about events.
- Launching a major capital campaign or anniversary initiative.
- Hiring a new communications or engagement professional.
- Undergoing a significant website redesign project.
- Refreshing your synagogue's brand or messaging strategy.
The Audit provides the strategic foundation that makes these investments more successful.
Frequently Asked Questions
HOW MUCH TIME IS REQUIRED FROM OUR STAFF?
The process is designed to be efficient. Outside of providing existing materials and data, we typically require 60-90 minutes for initial discovery and 3 hours for leadership perspective interviews.
DO WE NEED TO HAVE A COMMUNICATIONS PROFESSIONAL ON STAFF?
Not at all. The Audit is equally valuable for synagogues where communication is handled by clergy, executive directors, or volunteers. It provides a clarity that helps anyone in the role succeed.
WILL THIS RECOMMEND WE HIRE AN AGENCY?
The goal is to help you use your resources more effectively. While we may suggest specific technical help for projects like websites, the focus is on strategy you can control internally.
HOW SOON CAN WE START?
Audits are typically scheduled 4-6 weeks in advance. The independent nature of the review allows for careful preparation and alignment with your liturgical and program calendar.