The Membership Committee provides information about Keneseth Israel to perspective members, invites them to services, and leads tours of the facilities. We now have a direct link on the homepage of K.I.’s website for “membership inquiries” so that perspective members can learn about K.I. from the website and then contact the office for more information or print out a membership form. Once a new member joins K.I., they are visited at their home to welcome them into the congregation and given a special K.I. logo tote filled with Shabbat gifts and information about the synagogue.

New members are introduced to the congregation and learn about the temple, its committees, auxiliaries, Board of Trustees, Religious School and staff at the New Member Brunch in the fall. Then, in the spring, there is a special New Member Shabbat.

A new initiative is in the process of being introduced: The New Member Ambassador Program which matches new members with existing congregants who act as “ambassadors” or mentors to help integrate the new member into the life of the congregation.

The work of a congregation’s Membership Committee is crucial to the creation of a meaningful synagogue community. While every temple member is, by nature, involved in membership, the Membership Committee is the primary group that focuses on attracting, recruiting, and welcoming new members, while integrating, engaging, and retaining all members to help them make a lifelong place for themselves within the congregation.

Maryellen Blass is the Membership Chairperson.