Getting into Broadcasting

Getting into Broadcasting.

It's just over a year since I walked through the doors of the synagogue as a prospective candidate for the post of your rabbi. I received a very warm welcome. During the last eight months since I began work, I've continued to be touched by people's warmth - not only towards me: At the July 8th. seminar on the theme, 'I'm Jewish; my partner isn't' - which was very well-attended - a number of participants commented on how welcoming and inclusive the congregation is.

And yet - our numbers are falling. The decrease is largely due to the fact that, sadly, some of our elderly members have died - zichronam livrachah - may their memory be for blessing. But the decrease also suggests that very few people are joining the synagogue. This is extremely puzzling: Here we are, a lovely, warm, welcoming community - and yet only a handful of new people are walking through our doors. Is there anything we can do to attract more newcomers? Of course, we are already engaged in making the building more attractive. But the real challenge is getting people here in the first place. And taking on this challenge, involves letting people 'out there' know what we have to offer. As the only progressive congregation in the area, we have at least four unique 'selling points' - besides being very warm and welcoming:

• We treat women and men, girls and boys, with complete equality

• We accept as full Jews, not only those who are the children of two Jewish parents or of a Jewish mother, but also those whose father alone is Jewish, as well as those who have chosen to become Jewish through the process of conversion

• We welcome non-Jews and the non-Jewish partners of members as 'friends' of the congregation, and value the contribution they make to the community

• Our ethos embraces both the teachings of Judaism and the insights of modernity

BHPS is unique. All we have to do is broadcast ourselves - which includes using the local media to let people know that we are here. We already have a wonderful web-site thanks to our web-master, Paul McGlynn. We also need to enhance the 'look' of our newsletter, as well as create a leaflet about the congregation in the same design - which would include a new 'logo', as well as a Hebrew name to go alongside the English one. So, if you have design skills, logo ideas, or any thoughts about an appropriate Hebrew name, please let us know.