Successful Synagogue Fundraising Today: Overcoming the Fear of Asking for Money
You can achieve your dreams of financial stability for your congregation.
"At almost every institution around the country, there is money left unasked for and, as a result, not given. 'Wait,' you might say. ’We have an annual appeal every year! Every family in our congregation is asked for a donation at High Holiday services. If they haven’t given, they just don’t want to give to us.‘ That may be how you perceive the interaction, but do your congregants see it the same way?“
—from Chapter 1
Successful synagogue fundraising is no easy task, but it is possible—for all congregations. Development consultants Rabbi David A. Mersky and Abigail Harmon outline a practical, step-by-step approach to fundraising programs and systems that can help your synagogue achieve growth and sustainability. They show you how to:
- Create excitement about new models of fundraising
- Set up a comprehensive development program
- Find and engage current and prospective donors
- Choose effective staff, volunteers and consultants
- Create a culture of asking and giving that everyone feels positive about
- Bring your community together to support the congregation’s mission and vision
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Book details
- Author
- David Mersky
- Imprint
- Jewish Lights, an imprint of Turner Publishing Company
- Published
- Formats
- Paperback, Hardcover
- Subjects
- Religion › Judaism
Religion › Leadership - Topics
- Jewish congregations · religious leadership · donations · congregation management · Jewish community · financial stability
- ISBN-13
- 9781580238564 (Paperback)9781683363248 (Hardcover)
About the author
RABBI DAVID A. MERSKY is the founding partner of Mersky, Jaffe & Associates, a nonprofit consulting firm, and has led planning, fundraising, and executive search endeavors for more than four decades. He is co-author, with Abigail Harmon, of Successful Synagogue Fundraising Today: Overcoming the Fear of Asking for Money.
Mersky served as national director of resource development for the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, as vice president of resource development for Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston, and led corporate finance for Ampal-American Israel Corporation. He also taught in Brandeis University’s Hornstein Program in Jewish Professional Leadership for twenty-five years.
David lives in Newton, Massachusetts.