At TBK we're always looking for new ways to strengthen our community and be responsive to our members' needs. This past year we launched our TBK Listening Campaign and gained constructive, insightful feedback from congregants. In response to their input we've launched a number of new initiatives, including distribution of nametags at services, development of a membership directory and enhanced Kollel programming.

If you would like to participate in the Listening Campaign and share your thoughts with one of our trained listeners, please contact Staci Henning, Listening Committee Chairperson, at staci.henning[at]gmail.com. We're sure you'll enjoy this opportunity to help guide future TBK programs.

For our Temple B'rith Kodesh Membership Directory!

Smile for the camera and join our family album! You will receive a FREE copy and see who's-who at temple.

Why wait? Sign up today! We are working with Lifetouch Photography to create our TBK Membership Directory. There is no sitting fee and no cost to TBK. Each family will receive a free Directory and a free color 8x10 portrait or set of wallet-sized photos. If you wish you may purchase photographs, but there's no obligation. Bring your family! Bring your pets! Wear what makes you happy! Do it your way!

Photos are taken at TBK. We are currently scheduling portrait sessions on:

Sunday September 26 from 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. in the Bobry Adult Lounge
Monday September 27 from 2:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. in the Bobry Adult Lounge
Tuesday October 12 from 2:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. in Room 200
Wednesday October 13 from 2:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. in Room 200

It's easy to sign up -
Online at www.tbk.org - it's quick and easy!
Call Cathy Harris at 585-461-1082 - and she'll get you set up!

Please allow about an hour to check in, be photographed and select your portraits.

Three easy ways to sign-up!
Online - Link here to Lifetouch Photography
In Person - At specific events throughout the summer (to be announced)
Call - Cathy Harris at 461-1082

We are looking forward to seeing you in our directory! For questions please contact Bruce Pollock at 586-6862 or bpollock53[at]rochester.rr.com.

Over the past year, our Listening Campaign leadership team, chaired by Cathy Harris, has conducted individual in-depth listening sessions with approximately 100 of our congregants. We have had the privilege of learning about our members' hopes and dreams, passions and concerns for themselves, their families, their temple and their wider community. In these efforts, we have also amassed a great deal of information that is currently being reviewed. We hope that this is only the beginning of an ongoing congregational effort to foster congregational dialogue and encourage positive change. The Campaign itself will continue under the leadership of our new Chair, Staci Henning. Below are some key excerpts to kick off our congregational dialogue.

Pressures and Challenges
Like any other congregation, the members of TBK face numerous stresses. We heard of families facing divorce or separation. We heard often of the economic hardships facing people. We heard many congregants talk about the struggles they faced to take care of each other. We heard from many people with health problems and/or aging parents. People spoke about having a hard time dealing with aging or having to delay retirement. Others shared the uncertainty of unemployment or worries about finances that have dwindled with the financial crisis. People worried about paying for college, caring for their children and having their kids grow up healthy and capable. Many were worried about the state of our larger community, our country and our world. Environmental concerns were frequently reported. Others spoke of concerns regarding their safety as Jews in a hostile world. Still others spoke of concerns of the faith being lost to the next generation and worries that children will have no meaningful connection to temple.

We heard again and again that members yearn for more meaningful connections and support. Also, for those growing older and for those caring for elders, aging emerged as one of the significant issues facing this congregation.

Hopes and Dreams
Just as people worried about many and diverse things, they also hoped for many and diverse things. Many hoped to be able to maintain connections with each other - especially as families. Some hoped to find a partner (or find a partner again). People hoped to remain active and involved, especially as they grew older. Many wished that their children would grow up strong and healthy and in a safe world. Congregants hoped to teach their children the moral values of Judaism and the lessons of the Holocaust. They also hoped for better economic times. On a larger scale, people wished to support refugees and the homeless and dreamed of a safer world. They also hoped that the Jews and Palestinians would solve their differences and that Jews worldwide would be able to stick together during hard times.

Specific findings
1) Perhaps one of the most notable findings coming from the one-on-ones was the consistent theme of Connectivity - reflected in specific phrases such as:
- TBK should be a place to find community
- I'm having trouble making connections
- I'd like to see more support of congregants in need
- I wish that TBK congregants were friendlier
- There is no sense of community for youth
- I don't feel a spiritual connection from the leaders

It seemed clear that people were hungry to connect with each other in social and communal ways. Many also felt a lack of connectivity with rabbis and leadership.

People also seemed to want a deeper connection to their faith. Congregants wanted more powerful sermons, worship experiences and opportunities that connected to their lived experiences so that they could make sense of their lives from a Jewish perspective.

The committee also got a sense that people wanted more intergenerational connection. Over and over again we heard from adults (especially older adults) who feared they were losing or had lost connections with young people.

2) Another important finding that emerged was that of Feeling Heard. As with any other human endeavor, when people feel heard, they feel a greater sense of belonging and ownership. Through our one-on-ones, we heard numerous comments about feeling heard that are reflected, for example in the following comments:
- I'm most engaged in temple when I feel heard
- We need to be open to new ideas from members
- Staff here are not receptive to new ideas
- I've offered suggestions and ideas for projects that I have expertise on and have been ignored
- We should pay more attention to lay leadership and how they can contribute

Naturally a congregation cannot respond to every comment, suggestion and idea that comes forward. What seemed to surface, though, was a perception that TBK is not responsive to general membership ideas in its midst. This relates to a much broader idea, however, advanced by Julie Webb from the Union of Reform Judaism when she visited last year. She spoke of temples needing to move from a "transactional model" to a "relational model."

3) Attention to specific groups within the congregation: Most frequently, our listeners heard that people wanted to see more attention paid to people in their 20's and 30's, to elders and to interfaith couples. Initiatives related to each of these groups could emerge as powerful forces within the faith life of TBK - especially if these initiatives are designed and led by members within these groups.

4) Members want to see that something meaningful and public is done with their shared information. People expressed deep hopes to see "something come out of this" and, in giving high marks to their 1:1 sessions, often added "assuming that something is actually DONE."

Conclusion
In any congregation, people have had very positive experiences at temple while others have had less than favorable experiences. By and large, people had much good to say about TBK. We feel it is critically important to share as much as we can, as we learn more about our congregants' concerns and hopes, so that the community can have full access to the information and decide upon initiatives based upon this information.

What is a Listening Campaign?
A Listening Campaign is a focused and disciplined effort to build community in a specific congregation or faith community. It is accomplished through "one-on-one" meetings facilitated by trained listeners. These one-on-ones - also called "relational" or "individual" meetings - are 45 minute to one hour conversations that happen face-to-face in which two people share their own stories with each other, helping them better understand their passions and concerns. The outcome is a new relationship in which two people feel linked to each other, and have identified common concerns. A Listening Campaign intends to identify the issues of concern for members of the congregation, strengthen the relational bonds between and among congregation members and find and develop new leaders. Listening Campaigns often lead to the development of congregational initiatives that arise out of the common concerns.

Why do we do a listening campaign?
Unlike doing a "survey" or some other questionnaire, a Listening Campaign is built upon the premise that a congregation is only as strong as the bonds between and among its members. A Listening Campaign seeks to connect members of a congregation more intentionally through the conversations themselves and then ultimately through the information gathered through the conversations. A Listening Campaign also has the power to identify passionate leaders who may exist in the community and helps to more clearly identify issues of concern/passion within a congregation. A Listening Campaign can also help a congregation more clearly shape its vision and find out where it is now and where it is going in the future.

How did it come about?
A few years back one of our members, Cathy Harris, attended a presentation that spoke about Listening Campaigns and how they have been used by other congregations as a vehicle for congregational renewal, relationship building and social transformation. The Board, rabbis and senior staff encouraged Cathy to form an exploratory committee that met for the past year - which ultimately led to the development of a formal process in 2008 to do a Listening Campaign here at Temple. We have a core team of about 10 people who have met to develop this process (along with an outside consultant) and have trained about 25 people to conduct the one-on-one conversations.

What will you do with the information?
After each one-on-one, the Listener will jot down some notes from the conversation. These notes will then be collected and grouped into "themes". People's names and identifying information will not be used on the forms to protect the confidentiality of the conversations, but some information from each conversation will be passed along. Ultimately there will be a larger congregational gathering at which the core team will present their findings to the temple community. Following this, specific groups may form to address the issues or concerns that emerge during this process.

How do I participate in a one-on-one?
Essentially there are two ways. First, you can sign up for one. Secondly, some members will be randomly selected from the database. Members of the team will be calling to ask people if they would be willing to have a one-on-one. This "random" process insures that we hear from a broad cross-section of members within the community.

What will I be asked about in my one-on-one?
Each conversation will be slightly different because we can't predict where your conversation will go. There are, however, a few general content areas within which we'll be looking to ask a few questions. During the conversation it's likely you'll be asked questions like:

• What drew you to TBK? In what ways are you involved?
• What's most engaging/fulfilling for you at TBK?
• How are you involved in the wider community?
• What are the concerns, pressures and challenges that you (or your family) face these days?
• What are your hopes or visions for your future?
• What changes would you like to see at temple?

But the one-on-one's aren't just about facts. Listeners will also be asking you to tell stories about your life that tell us a bit about what you value or about what concerns you. These stories become the "glue" that connects you to the listener in a new way, and the collection of these stories is what begins to change the way temple members relate to one another.

Has this been tried before?
Yes in many congregations across the United States. In fact, Listening Campaigns are well-researched processes that have been used by community organizers, faith communities, political groups, etc. for many years. The Union of Reform Judaism (Through their Just Congregations initiative) started encouraging reform congregations to utilize Listening Campaigns in new ways starting in 2002.

What if I want more information?
You can contact the temple office or contact Staci Henning, Listening Campaign committee chair, at staci.henning[at]gmail.com.