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September 23, 2009
Services on the second day of Rosh Hashana were free this year at Temple Har Shalom in Warren, and they were followed by a free luncheon. No reservations were necessary.
“Our philosophy is that no one should be alone for the holidays regardless of their economic situation. Everyone should have a place to go and a meal to share,” said Rabbi Randi Musnitsky.
In addition, worshipers do not have to have a ticket nor be a paying congregant to attend Har Shalom’s Yom Kippur Yizkor and Ne’ila services, which are open to the public.
Offering free services on the second day of Rosh Hashana or in addition to congregations’ standard prayer services is catching on in the area, not only as a means to soften the blows of a tattered economy, but also as a way to provide a more inviting spiritual space.
Most synagogues still require worshipers to purchase tickets for the High Holy Days, recognizing that many Jews might show up only for those two or three days; in some cases members are also required to buy tickets, considering the “extra” charge part of their obligation for year-round membership.
But the practice has always come at a price in terms of outreach and public perception. Holding second-day and supplemental services that are open to all is a way of unfurling the welcome mat, synagogue officials say.
Musnitsky instituted the second-day tradition when she arrived at the Reform synagogue three years ago. The open services “are packed every year,” she said, drawing about 250 people. This year, services drew more — closer to 300, said president Resa Drasin. The synagogue has a partition at the back of the sanctuary that can be opened to expand the seating. “Within half an hour, we had to open the partition, something we’ve never had to do before on the second day,” said Drasin. She attributed the increased attendance not only to the economy, but also to better publicity and a recent rise in membership.
Mount Freedom Jewish Center offered a service open to the public on the second day of Rosh Hashana as well, and will do so again on Yom Kippur.
Rabbi Menashe East, who took the helm of the Orthodox congregation this summer, said the practice has been adopted in order “to welcome the entire community to pray on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. Too often, Jewish families have not even been able to get into the door — either financially or religiously. This is an open service to remove an obstacle to participation.”
The free Rosh Hashana service, held in the afternoon, after regular morning services, attracted 20 worshipers. The open Yom Kippur service will be held on Monday from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., during a traditional break in prayers.
Temple Ner Tamid, the Reform congregation in Bloomfield, has traditionally offered free second-day Rosh Hashana services.
Ahawas Achim B’nai Jacob and David, an Orthodox synagogue in West Orange, offered some free services last year through the holiday season. They were so successful, said Rabbi Eliezer Zwickler, that a free program on Sukkot will be offered later this season. Members were also encouraged to invite guests, no tickets necessary, for erev Rosh Hashana services, “since this is one of the most beautiful nights on our calendar,” he said.
Not that High Holy Day tickets are passe. Area synagogues still require them for most services, and some that have been lax in enforcement in recent years have become more stringent, in part as a result of increased security concerns. The price can be as much as 10 percent over and above the annual dues for those members requesting extra tickets, and as much as nearly half of regular membership dues for nonmembers.
‘Sample our community’
Synagogues bristle at jokes about the “pay-to-pray model,” saying there would be no High Holy Day services without people willing to support the building and staff salaries all year. But all are trying to strike a balance between, well, balancing the books and encouraging attendance.
The Conservative White Meadow Temple in Rockaway decided to try to reach the many thousands of unaffiliated Jews in Morris County this year, with a limited membership for the Hebrew month of Tishrei, the month richest with Jewish holidays. At about $400 for families or $200 for singles, the cost approximates that of comparable High Holy Day tickets alone at some synagogues.
But these are not for the “once-a-year” crowd. Instead, the Tishrei membership was offered “to gauge interest and just tap a small portion of the people who are unaffiliated, to help bring them in for Tishrei, when there is so much going on,” said David Greenberg, White Meadow Temple’s vice president of finance.
The goal was to remove a financial barrier for families in general and was not a direct response to the economic downturn, said Rabbi Benjamin Adler. “We hope to give people a chance to sample our community at a reduced cost. If they like what they experience, then they can consider becoming full members,” said Adler.
The program is open only to people who have not been members of the synagogue for at least two years. This year, three families took advantage.
Technology has also surfaced this year as a way to reach people who might not otherwise come to the synagogue. Har Shalom is among those synagogues webcasting all High Holy Day services on the internet this year.
Although it is intended to serve those who are homebound, not well enough to come to services, or in the hospital, “It was also conceived for people who can’t afford to buy tickets — there’s no fee — the Internet is free and open,” said Musnitsky.
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