New initiatives for new members

Below is an article about the rationale for two initiatives I'm starting for new members of the community- a welcome pack and an adoptive families scheme. There are many ways you can help:

• Your business providing discount vouchers for the welcome pack.
• Sponsoring/advertising/ subsidising the costs of the packs.
• Volunteering to be host for new member for the community.
• Help identify new members of the community and pass them on to me.
• Making other suggestions and providing feedback about my ideas

Originally published in April edition of JLife magazine:

"In a small community, the synagogue is the centre of all communal life. When you first arrive, the synagogue is the first place to contact and they will initiate you into a wide array of activities. Leeds, too, has thriving synagogues where people gather together to celebrate simchot, engage in leisure activities and console each other in hard times. However, as with any big community, where there are many different synagogues and activities, the centre of gravity is elsewhere.

This has a positive aspect in that the community doesn't stop at the synagogue doors, but extends to all aspects of life. It also means- evaluate this as you will- that those who aren't religiously inclined don't have as much reason to engage with synagogue life. However, there is the danger that you may cease to have a centre of gravity at all. A situation may arise where there is nothing that draws everyone in or inspires a sense of communal involvement. Conversely, no one institution takes responsibility for reaching out to every single member of the community. This may result in many more people quietly becoming 'lost' or unaffiliated.

If new community members are made to fell welcome straight away, and given information and support, then the chances are at they will remain involved. The longer it takes to engage them, the less likely this is. In a small community, where the centre of gravity is synagogue, people will automatically recognise a new face and greet them. How about in Leeds where, due to its size, the communal dynamic is different?

One proposal is to compile a “welcome brochure” to be given to new or prospective members of the community. It will contain items such as a LJRC Yearbook; vital information about the community's past and its present activities; and special deals for kosher shops, local businesses and shul membership. Another idea is an “adoptive families” scheme where people can be volunteer to acts as hosts for new members of the community. These are in an early stage of development and other suggestions are welcome as to how we can help people think of Leeds as 'home'."