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Temple Beth El Embarks on "Our Temple, Our Future" Listening Campaign
November 2023
By Jonathan Friedman, COO
As the High Holy Days ushered in a season of reflection and renewal, Temple Beth El came together in the transformative moment to begin its comprehensive strategic planning effort with a series of congregational listening sessions. The initiative, aptly named “Our Temple, Our Future,” aims to reach at least 300 congregants through a series of listening sessions over the next two months.
In his Rosh Hashanah sermon, Rabbi Knight emphasized the importance of community, stating, “The essence of community is not found in agreement but in a covenant of mutual respect and support.” This philosophy serves as the cornerstone of the listening campaign. It’s an endeavor not merely to collect opinions but to forge a shared vision that respects the diverse needs and aspirations of the congregation.
The campaign is guided by a Strategic Planning Committee, co-chaired by Robin Leavitt and Lisa Shpritz, and includes congregational leaders Ivy Berman, Eliza Carney, Jenn Clark, David Crane, Zoe Kronovet, Alan Kronovet, Liz Ren, Ron Townsend, and Bob Wolf. The committee is working closely with Andi Stevenson of Stevenson Wallace, a seasoned non-profit consultant, to ensure the campaign aligns with best practices in organizational development.
Temple Beth El has a history of successful community engagement. A previous listening campaign led to the creation of the TriBEs small-group program, which, with support from the Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte, has engaged more than 600 members in meaningful relationships over the past five years.
The listening sessions are expected to conclude in late November, after which the Strategic Planning Committee will engage in a deliberative planning process throughout the winter and spring. The ultimate goal is to develop a dynamic set of guiding principles and pillars that will steer Temple Beth El into a future filled with promise and purpose.
As Rabbi Knight eloquently reminded the congregation, “We are the authors of our own story.”
The “Our Temple, Our Future” initiative is an opportunity for the Temple Beth El community to come together and write an inspiring new chapter in its collective journey.
