Jewish Light: Congregations Merging to Stay Afloat

The publication localized Ben Gittleson of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency's report on the national trend  to show what's going on in St. Louis.

Conservative congregations Brith Sholom Kneseth Israel in Richmond Heights and Shaare Zedek Synagogue in University City voted last fall to merge and formed Kol Rinah, according to the independent local Jewish news outlet.

It reports on May 14, BSKI President Susan Cort and Shaare Zedek President Steve Keyser signed a formal agreement to merge the two congregations; and in late April, two of St. Louis’ largest congregations, Congregation Shaare Emeth and Congregation Temple Israel announced the two congregations are discussing a possible merger.

Gittleson writes in his article that hosts of synagogues are having overcome denominational differences to merge formally, share space or and collaborate. He quotes Rabbi David Fine, the rabbinic director of the Union for Reform Judaism’s small congregations network, as saying it is often due to financial hardships wrought by shrinking Jewish populations, shifting demographics and a challenging economic environment.

To read more about the situation locally, click here to read the St. Louis Jewish Light's article.

To read about what's going on in California, Texas, Ohio and other states, click here to read the Jewish Telegraphic Agency's report.