WELCOME! The Big Reveal Wednesday, August 30, 2017 Empty Nesters/Baby Boomers Listening Campaign Results This initiative is being supported by a Federation Impact & Innovation Grant. 1
Tonight s Agenda Introductory Remarks Rabbi Knight Listening Campaign Results Laura How We Processed What We Heard Holly Themes & Discussion Groups Holly Themes Lay Leader Representatives Beverages and snacks will be available in the discussion group rooms. 2
Introduction Six Congregational Pillars 1. We learn together: mindful Jewish learning and the pursuit of wisdom 2. We pray together: personal spiritual practices and inspiring communal worship that uplifts the soul and connects to God 3. We act together: ongoing significant acts of loing kindness and world repair 4. We play together: fun in social settings where we can relax, laugh, and be ourselves 5. We care for each other: value and support one another in times of joy and sorrow, well connected to other Jews in Charlotte, Israel, and across the world 6. We are accountable to each other: shared leadership making sound decisions that serve our best interests, reflect shared Jewish values, and uphold our mission 3
Listening Campaign Kick-off Parting Feedback 4
Listening Campaign Results What We Heard Current engagement level is not indicative of caring level Range: unengaged very engaged Range: not welcoming very welcoming Kids were catalyst for friends Deep connection during lifecycle events and pastoral moments Stress associated with stage of life Significant interest in vitalizing this demographic 5
Listening Campaign Results When do we feel connected to others? During times of need (death, divorce, illness, life s struggles) Through volunteering Starting and growing our families In small groups and in home-based events Bonding during travel experiences When has the Jewish community been there for us? Has provided multiple entry points During life cycle events (simchas and sorrows) When we most need it 6
Listening Campaign Results When do we feel disconnected from others? When kids grow up/leave During times of need (lack of support during illness, death, struggles) Size of congregation/large groups Around holidays When not welcomed/ greeted at events & in building Politics infused in temple life What does this stage of life mean to you? Freedom and choice Encore careers / retirement Sandwich generation Transition Heightened awareness of our own mortality Seeking more meaning Living with intention Looking for/not looking for friends More time to travel and be with family/friends Plenty of stress, fears, concerns 7
Listening Campaign Results How would you spend your time if you had a magical extra day? More leisure time Giving back Learning / Study Connecting with family, grandkids, friends and community Forget the extra day / seeking more meaningful days Other Important Outcomes: A desire to explore spirituality, worship and prayer culture Appreciation for the listening campaign Experience of the listening campaign good for our culture Bias for action Need for clear and regular communication High level of engagement interest / ripe for vitalization 8
Listening Campaign How We Processed What We Heard Kick off Listening Event Home Listening Circles Compilation of all notes/stories Working Group synthesis Grouping all responses into themes Discussions with Rabbi Knight about creating community and the distinction between programming and engagement Thinking about congregational pillars Application of strategic filters resulted in five main themes + additional theme to explore 9
Listening Campaign Strategic Filters Theme was overwhelmingly commonly expressed during the Listening Campaign Theme lends itself to actionable steps that are sustainable Theme and possible steps are rooted in Judaism Theme aligns with congregational pillars Actions that address multiple common themes are ideal Actions that require a commitment from synagogue and congregants are ideal (not passive participation) Other: Commitment to leverage or coordinate with existing initiatives when planning Commitment to create a way to encourage personal invitation/personal touch 10
Top Themes 1. Caring Community (Supporting each other) 2. Clergy Connection 3. Volunteering 4. Small groups and home-based events 5. Jewish-based travel 6. Worship and prayer culture (exploration) 11
Context for Themes & Discussion Groups Six themes will be presented by lay leaders For each theme: Overview of the theme and alignment to pillars Key learnings from listening campaign and why leaders are excited/interested in the theme Past and current TBE experiences with theme Possibilities and opportunities for each theme with an invitation to participate in discussion Will have opportunity to participate in two breakout discussions 12
Caring Community (Supporting each other) Congregational Pillar(s): We care for and are accountable to each other Lay Leadership: Steve Raphael, Cary Bernstein, Hal Levinson, Rich Osborne, Susan Abroms 13
Caring Community Key Learnings from Listening Campaign The full community (clergy, TBE, & Charlotte Jewish community) Lifecycle support and celebration Strengthen caring community Paradox (heard stories about connection & disconnection during times of need) 14
Caring Community Past & Current TBE Experience Caring Community Committee Email notifications Clergy pastoral care Non-temple related relationships 15
Caring Community Possibilities/Opportunities Join the Caring Community Visiting the sick Making meals Baking for future shiva minyanim Create holiday planning groups Discuss ways to make connections with people we don t know Discuss ways to create a caring community beyond need (e.g. small group gatherings before/after worship) 16
Clergy Connection Congregational Pillar(s): We learn, pray, act, play, and care together Lay Leadership: Pam Menaker, Alan Kronovet Mark Rosen 17
Clergy Connection Key Learnings from Listening Campaign Rabbi is glue Connection deepened during times of need Desire to know clergy outside of times of need Desire to know clergy personally and feel like they care about them as an individual 18
Clergy Connection Past & Current TBE Experience Lifecycle officiation Milestone Anniversary & Birthday Blessings Small Group Adult Learning offsite (Talmud, Jolt of Judaism) Getting to know you lunches with Senior Rabbi and Executive Director Congregant-driven small group social invitations 19
Clergy Connection Future Possibilities/Opportunities Informal meet and greets Podcast/videocast Dual commitment Share who you are Invite a friend Own connection to clergy/partnership Discuss ways to accomplish a deeper, more meaningful connection to clergy 20
Volunteering Congregational Pillar(s): We act together, learn together and care for each other. Lay Leadership: Steve Menaker, Melissa Raphael, Marla Emery, Donna Foster 21
Volunteering Key Learnings from Listening Campaign Many BBs expressed desire to volunteer more at this stage of their lives Volunteering 1. Is a primary source of connecting with others 2. Builds friendships 3. Provides a sense of contribution (live out value of Tikkun Olam) 4. Can be with Temple or larger Jewish community, Charlotte community and beyond 22
Volunteering Past & Present TBE Experience Long-standing Social Action Projects Mitzvah Day Room in the Inn Sterling Elementary School Freedom School Habitat House INVITATION: October 15, 2017 house painting 23
Discuss Volunteering Future Possibilities/Opportunities Variety of activities/causes/venues Ways to leverage current social action efforts Jewish Community, Charlotte Community and beyond Huricane Harvey possible mission trip 24
Small Groups & Home-Based Events Congregational Pillar(s): We learn, act, and play together. Lay Leadership: Joy Miller, Ann Baumgarten, Ellen Martin, Liz Wahls, Linda Lepow, Steve Lepow, Beth DiNicola 25
Small groups & Home-based Events Key Learnings from Listening Campaign Small groups naturally facilitate connections Develop relationships Making large place feel smaller Meet people who live close to each other Reconnecting when the nest is empty Bring Judaism into our lives (instead of Judaism only in the synagogue) 26
Small groups & Home-based Events Past & Current TBE Experience Shabbat Supper Clubs Jewish Living Groups Club Sandwich Outdoor Enthusiast Sisterhood In the Neighborhood (new) 27
Small groups & Home-based Events Future Possibilities /Opportunities Discuss How can we leverage In the Neighborhood concept? Are we interested in creating Shabbat Supper Clubs? Havdalah groups? Going out to dinner after worship? Other? Different small group models supported by URJ 28
Jewish-Based Travel Congregational Pillar(s): We learn and play together. Lay Leadership: John Small, Marsha Small, Sue Worrel 29
Jewish-based Travel Key Learnings from Listening Campaign Partnership between Temple and participants Interest varies (Local International) Shared travel experiences build and deepen relationships Themes and itineraries (focus) so that we Have fun Learn Incorporate worship and spirituality Get to know each other in smaller groups 30
Jewish-based Travel Past & Current TBE Experience Annual WildAcres Retreat Annual Israel Trip Federation trips Personal trips/itineraries 31
Jewish-based Travel Future Possibilities/Opportunities Endless ideas to consider: Learning opportunities (Jewish culture and history in various travel/venues) A Country of Immigrants (Ellis Island, Lower East Side; Small Town Jewish Life) Exploring the Jewish South (Charleston, Savannah, Birmingham - civil rights, immigrant stories, Jews in the Confederacy) Jewish study through travel Finding our roots (Jewish Heritage travel) 32
Worship & Prayer Culture Congregational Pillar(s): We pray together. Lay Leadership: Scott Menaker, Jeffrey Schwartz 33
Worship & Prayer Culture Key Learnings from Listening Campaign Most people want to leave services uplifted and engaged in Judaism (some people do, some people don t) Seeking pathways to spiritual growth at home and in our daily lives Spirituality means different things to different people Desire to be part of the discussion 34
Worship & Prayer Culture Past & Current TBE Experience Holy Day and Festival Services Shabbat Morning Services (B nei Mitzvah and Congregational Shabbat) Friday evening Shabbat(Family, Community, Late-night Themes) Shabbat Supper Clubs and Havdalah Clubs 35
Worship & Prayer Culture Future Possibilities/Opportunities Discussion will be a Listening Circle What moves you during services? What makes you feel connected? How do you bring spirituality into your daily lives? What traditions are meaningful to you? In what locations or situations do you feel spiritual growth? 36
Themes Pulling it all together Selected themes are not silos Themes are inherently interconnected/overlap Working/Engaging on one theme will add to and enhance the work on other themes Initiatives that address multiple themes will be the most effective 37
What s Next? Will be breaking out into discussion groups Will have opportunity to participate in two discussion groups Will have opportunity to sign-up to participate in further planning After the 2 nd discussion group, adjourn An email will be sent to everyone sharing next steps 38
Themes and Break-Out Rooms 1. Caring Community Dale & Larry Polsky Beit Midrash 2. Clergy connection - Sandra & Leon Levine Social Hall 3. Volunteering Sandra & Leon Levine Wing 4. Small groups/home-based events David Silverman Social Hall 5. Jewish-based travel Jonathan Howard Board Room 6. Worship & Prayer Culture Raenea & Sam Siegel Atrium Beverages and snacks Are available in the discussion group rooms. Thank you for being here this evening! 39