Synaplex™: The Philadelphia Story

Partnership Brings Synaplex™ to 8 Synagogues

As executive director of the Jewish Outreach Partnership of Philadelphia (JOPP) , Rabbi Philip Warmflash has long been on the leading edge of synagogue change. “Synagogues are interested in revitalizing,” he comments. “Synagogues are looking for new things to do.” At the same time, though, they are looking for help and support as they experiment.

The combination of innovation and support is central to the latest partnership between JOPP and STAR: bringing Synaplex™ to a multitude of synagogues in the Philadelphia area.

“We have the on-the-ground operation that can support this kind of program in eight synagogues at the same time,” says Rabbi Warmflash. “One of the things I wanted is for the synagogues to feel that local involvement and support. The goal is an exciting new Shabbat opportunity.”

STAR's work with and support of JOPP goes back several years; STAR provided grant funding to JOPP to pilot RESHET (Hebrew for “network”), a program for groups of synagogues in one neighborhood to learn about organizational development together. The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia has supported neighborhood projects like Reshet, and has provided the funding for Synaplex™ Philadelphia through its Center for Life and Learning.

Eight synagogues in six neighborhoods have been selected through a competitive application process to participate in Synaplex, starting the fall of 2005. All are congregations that have already shown a commitment to ongoing synagogue renewal through previous work with JOPP. This is the first program the JOPP has offered that required congregations to apply for acceptance, which increases the level of commitment required to begin the program.

Successful implementation of Synaplex™ requires in-depth, ongoing training in key areas of synagogue life including marketing, volunteer engagement, fundraising, program innovation, and assessment. Training for this first group will begin in September and will include a combination of onsite, online, and conference call sessions. At the same time, participating synagogues will be coordinating calendars to offer Synaplex™ on a rotating schedule throughout the community.

“There will be almost monthly sessions in the Philadelphia area which will cross neighborhoods in a way that hasn't been done before,” adds Rabbi Warmflash. “It will be exciting for Philadelphia when we are able to run full-page ads listing dates and events in multiple locations, with diverse offerings.”

Assuming the program is successful, Rabbi Warmflash hopes to have another group of synagogues ready to begin in the fall of 2006 as there is already more demand than capacity.