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You know that your synagogue needs a new website. The only problem is your team doesn’t feel the same way. "What's wrong with the one we have?" is the refrain you hear over and over again. Your challenge is to convince your colleagues that it really is time for a new website. Here's how you turn a “maybe, next year” into a “yes.”

You can finally take a deep breath and relax as the rush of the High Holidays has passed. But, before you get too cozy, it won’t be long until you’re getting ready to fry up some latkes. Hanukkah is just around the corner.

As a non-profit organization, fundraising is a critical part of your synagogue's success. But, building a culture of giving among your congregants is not an easy task. Robert Evans, the President of Evans Consulting, reveals how you can encourage your members to increase their donations.

Doesn't it seem like Rosh Hashanah just ended? It’s hard to believe, but Hanukkah is almost here. Your members are always on the hunt for new ways to celebrate the Festival of Lights and, in the upcoming weeks, they are sure to turn to your website as a key holiday resource.

What makes people press the back button shortly after landing on your website? Why do they leave so quickly? And, what, if anything, can you do to better engage your website visitors?

No one deliberately tries to create an awful user experience, but many synagogue websites fail to convey the vitality and warmth of the congregations they represent. In fact, some synagogue websites are down right cringe-worthy. 

Emails are a fantastic way to share information and engage with your members. In fact, they are probably the primary way you communicate key info. However, your audience’s inboxes are already stuffed with dozens of emails a day. Your messages are packed with exciting news and important announcements, but getting people to open them can be a challenge.

Here's How to Give Your emails the Attention they deserve 

Between record-breaking hurricanes, catastrophic flooding, forest fires, and even Neo-Nazis, 2017 has brought one disaster after the next for communities throughout the United States and the Caribbean. During a crisis, communication with your members is essential. They are counting on you for support and resources on what may well be the worst days of their lives. Even if the power is out, technology (thank you mobile phones!) and social media can be a godsend. While not designed to be an exhaustive list, the tips in this article are here to help you continue to communicate with your community.

While it’s not quite time to pack up your beach chair and put away your sunscreen, it is time to start preparing your website for the High Holidays. Without question, your website will experience the greatest amount of traffic during this key period. Both prospective and current supporters are frequently stopping by to learn about services, renew their membership, or get a sense of how they can observe the High Holy Days at your shul. 

Your synagogue is already on Facebook, but figuring out what to post can be a challenge. It's easy to fall into the trap of only using social media to promote your upcoming events, but it can be used for so much more. Think of it as a casual environment for you to strengthen connections with your members and build community. Feeling stuck? Here are 13 creative ways for how you can use Facebook to engage your Jewish community. 

The purpose of your website is to communicate with your community. But, what happens if after checking out your website's analytic data, you discover that very few people are in fact visiting your website. This can be quite disheartening and frustrating. After all, you've invested so much time and energy into your website. It's a big let down when you discover that your site isn't being actively used by your community.