ShulCloud Summer Series: Streamlining High Holiday Preparations

Introduction 

1. The most common time for staff turnover is summer. 
2. High Holidays happen at the end of summer. 
3. The High Holidays are a time of spiritual renewal, community gathering, and deep reflection. 
4. High Holidays are the time when more members are on campus than ever during the year. 
5. Your newly hired staff person is now tasked with making the right first impression, to the vast majority of the community, with a relatively short runway.  

This summer series will cover aspects of synagogue management over the summer months leading up to the High Holidays. 

Membership Management and Ticketing 
The first step is to get ahead with membership notifications and honor requests. Start sending out these communications early to keep your congregation informed. Ensure that online membership renewals are set up, including essential High Holiday-related questions such as attendance at breakfast after Yom Kippur and High Holiday service attendance. Automated reminders for membership renewals are crucial to track who renews and who needs follow-up. Don’t forget to reach out to last year's members to ensure they renew and receive their High Holiday tickets. 

Memorial Book Management 
Yizkor Book entries are a vital part of the High Holiday preparations. Allow members to edit their entries on a regular basis. Make last year’s Yizkor Book available so members can review and check for any errors or updates needed. Start informing everyone in July to view and update the Yizkor Book, and include reminders in all communications to ensure maximum participation. Make sure members can check spelling, format, and add updates to ensure the Yizkor Book is accurate and meaningful. 

Fundraising and the High Holiday Appeal 
Fundraising is a vital aspect of the High Holidays. Track donations and renewals to monitor campaign success. Focus on those who did not contribute to the High Holiday appeal with targeted communications to increase donation rates. Allow donors to designate which initiatives or programs they want their gifts to support, building trust and encouraging generosity. Generate detailed reports on contributions and campaign success to identify trends and improve future strategies. 

Event and calendar management 
Effective event and calendar management is key to a successful High Holiday season. Inform attendees about High Holiday locations and services, ensuring all events requiring registration are listed and easily accessible. Plan room setups for services and non-services programming, completing them two weeks before the High Holidays. Start organizing schedules for the High Holidays well in advance, including setting up chairs in sanctuary extensions and making sure all logistical details are handled. Arrange transportation details and communicate them to ensure everyone is well-informed. 

How ShulCloud Helps: 
By leveraging comprehensive tools, synagogues can streamline their High Holiday planning, from membership management to fundraising and event coordination. Starting your preparations in the summer ensures that every detail is addressed, allowing your congregation to focus on the spiritual significance of the High Holidays. 

ShulCloud lets you efficiently manage all these tasks. ShulCloud's bulk email processor helps send notifications and honor requests, while its online membership renewal and custom field features simplify member updates and Yizkor Book management. The fundraising module and detailed reporting tools ensure effective fundraising, and the event and calendar functions aid in seamless event planning and communication. 

ShulCloud provides a robust platform to support your synagogue through every step of High Holiday preparation, ensuring a meaningful and organized experience for all. 

Ready to Transform Your High Holiday Preparations? Explore how ShulCloud can streamline your synagogue's management for the High Holidays and beyond. Click here to schedule a demo and see ShulCloud in action today!