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Toward the Revitalization of an Urban Sy

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When Chicago's urban synagogues faced a mass exodus to the suburbs in the late 1970s, one congregation defied the trend of institutional decline. Congregation Shaare Tikvah in North Park successfully revitalized its community through comprehensive programming across worship, education, and community engagement from 1978 to 1983. Drawing from congregational surveys, membership data, and program evaluations, this case study analyzes the transformation through the author's direct experience as the congregation's rabbi. The analysis explores interventions across the synagogue's three traditional functions: House of Worship, House of Study, and House of the Community. Worship revitalization included enhanced Sabbath programming, special liturgies incorporating sensory elements, and inclusive ritual practices such as women's participation in Torah readings. Educational renewal involved reinstating both religious school and pre-school programs, expanding adult education offerings, and emphasizing family involvement. Community building strategies encompassed intergenerational social programming, targeted outreach to young adults, successful merger with a neighboring congregation, and active participation in civic affairs. Results showed significant institutional improvement: membership increased from 385 to 440 families (after strategic pruning), Saturday attendance rose 57%, school enrollment reached 135 students, and High Holiday attendance grew from 850 to 1,100 participants. The study concludes that urban synagogue revitalization requires programmatic innovation, inclusive decision-making processes, strategic community engagement, and sustained personal outreach efforts, while acknowledging ongoing challenges related to demographic trends and financial sustainability.

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    Published 1985

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  • Publication Credits

    Howard Addison