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Shul Kiruv Planning Guide - Part 7 - Commitment
This blog post should have been the first of the Shul Kiruv Planning Guide series, because if you don't get the upfront commitment from key people in your shul, you would be better off starting a little group among your friends, doing something on your own or helping out at a local kiruv organization.
Who exactly am I talking about? Whose commitment do you need? At minimum, the Rabbi and the President. Depending on your shul politics and just how big a program you imagine, at some point you may also need an official vote of the Board.
Wow!, you are probably saying to yourself, that's a big job! It certainly could be if you decide you need the backing of the entire Board. But, usually, that's not necessary. It won't be hard to set up an appointment or have a phone conversation with the Rabbi and President to judge their interest. You can probably hold off on the Board till later. The Rabbi and President can advise you on that. But whatever level of commitment you need, it is important to get it. Here's why:
First and foremost, you don't want to get sideswiped later after you have put a lot of time into getting people interested and putting together some programs. You will save yourself a lot of effort and frustration if everyone is on the same page from day one. If you envision a major new focus for the shul, but they are only interested in running a class or a single program each year, you need to know this upfront so you can manage your own and their expectations.
Second, it is very important that you get the support you will need from the powers that be within the shul to illustrate to all that this is an important new direction for the shul and broad participation is encouraged (unless, of course, they are only interested in one program, but even then you want it clear to all that that program has everyone's support).
Third, when you want to post announcements in the shul, or send out emails to the membership, you don't want to get the runaround. You don't have time for that. By getting everyone to buy in from the start, you will be able to operate much more efficiently later.
Fourth, your time is valuable. If the commitment to kiruv is not there, take your commitment elsewhere. Don't give up. Your participation is vital to Jews in your community. You just may have to find a different forum than your shul to serve as a base for your kiruv energies and activities.
Fifth, you want your first kiruv program to be a success. So no matter how big you are thinking, for your first effort, think realistically. How many people can you get involved in the beginning? How much time can you give it? How much money can you raise to underwrite the program, if necessary? You want to choose a program with a beginning, middle and end, so you can outline specific goals, measure your successes, correct your mistakes and build on your strengths. So go to the Rabbi and President with big long term ideas, but with a measured, realistic first program that can also invigorate other members into joining your future efforts. This way you are more likely to get their initial support and build their confidence in you and the kiruv initiative so they can support a larger effort later.
To sum up, there is nothing more frustrating than giving something your all, just to have the rug pulled out from under you from some unexpected source. Avoid disappointment by laying the ground work first. Then, roll up those sleeves and get to work! Klal Yisrael needs you!
Who exactly am I talking about? Whose commitment do you need? At minimum, the Rabbi and the President. Depending on your shul politics and just how big a program you imagine, at some point you may also need an official vote of the Board.
Wow!, you are probably saying to yourself, that's a big job! It certainly could be if you decide you need the backing of the entire Board. But, usually, that's not necessary. It won't be hard to set up an appointment or have a phone conversation with the Rabbi and President to judge their interest. You can probably hold off on the Board till later. The Rabbi and President can advise you on that. But whatever level of commitment you need, it is important to get it. Here's why:
First and foremost, you don't want to get sideswiped later after you have put a lot of time into getting people interested and putting together some programs. You will save yourself a lot of effort and frustration if everyone is on the same page from day one. If you envision a major new focus for the shul, but they are only interested in running a class or a single program each year, you need to know this upfront so you can manage your own and their expectations.
Second, it is very important that you get the support you will need from the powers that be within the shul to illustrate to all that this is an important new direction for the shul and broad participation is encouraged (unless, of course, they are only interested in one program, but even then you want it clear to all that that program has everyone's support).
Third, when you want to post announcements in the shul, or send out emails to the membership, you don't want to get the runaround. You don't have time for that. By getting everyone to buy in from the start, you will be able to operate much more efficiently later.
Fourth, your time is valuable. If the commitment to kiruv is not there, take your commitment elsewhere. Don't give up. Your participation is vital to Jews in your community. You just may have to find a different forum than your shul to serve as a base for your kiruv energies and activities.
Fifth, you want your first kiruv program to be a success. So no matter how big you are thinking, for your first effort, think realistically. How many people can you get involved in the beginning? How much time can you give it? How much money can you raise to underwrite the program, if necessary? You want to choose a program with a beginning, middle and end, so you can outline specific goals, measure your successes, correct your mistakes and build on your strengths. So go to the Rabbi and President with big long term ideas, but with a measured, realistic first program that can also invigorate other members into joining your future efforts. This way you are more likely to get their initial support and build their confidence in you and the kiruv initiative so they can support a larger effort later.
To sum up, there is nothing more frustrating than giving something your all, just to have the rug pulled out from under you from some unexpected source. Avoid disappointment by laying the ground work first. Then, roll up those sleeves and get to work! Klal Yisrael needs you!
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Tags: commitment, kiruv, planning, shul
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The Top Ten Benefits of Doing Kiruv (Source: "Putting Out the Fire," by Aharon Ungar)
1) Working with somebody who is learning from the beginning causes you to examine your own performance of mitzvos.
2) Kiruv reignites your connection with Hashem.
3) Kiruv enhances your appreciation for the Torah community.
4) By bringing Hashem's lost children home to Him, you earn Divine gratitude.
5) Kiruv builds a constant, ongoing source of merit for Olam Haba.
6) Kiruv causes you to focus on spiritual issues you may never have contemplated.
7) You will have an opportunity to relearn many things you have forgotten.
8) You will have the incomparable feeling and spiritual benefit of saving someone's life.
9) Kiruv fulfills four halachic imperatives.
10) You can attain all these benefits within the context of your present life and schedule.
2) Kiruv reignites your connection with Hashem.
3) Kiruv enhances your appreciation for the Torah community.
4) By bringing Hashem's lost children home to Him, you earn Divine gratitude.
5) Kiruv builds a constant, ongoing source of merit for Olam Haba.
6) Kiruv causes you to focus on spiritual issues you may never have contemplated.
7) You will have an opportunity to relearn many things you have forgotten.
8) You will have the incomparable feeling and spiritual benefit of saving someone's life.
9) Kiruv fulfills four halachic imperatives.
10) You can attain all these benefits within the context of your present life and schedule.
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© 2012 Created by Rabbi Aharon Ungar.
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