Hanukah—the Festival of Lights—is upon us. In honor of this holiday, I would like to share with you a list of 10 Alban books that I believe can be of particular value to leaders of synagogues—both clergy and lay. They make a wonderful gift for a friend, a colleague or yourself.
I have consulted with synagogues all over the country, and in that process have come to believe that leaders of these congregations need both specialized skill for the particular tasks at hand, and wide understanding of the changes and dynamics facing congregations in general and synagogues in particular. Sometimes, reading a well-written book can help to define the issues and to begin to get your arms around solutions. With that in mind, here’s my list:
To better understand the dramatic changes underway in virtually every Jewish congregation in North America—and healthy congregational responses to those changes—read Synagogues in a Time of Change: Fragmentation and Diversity in Jewish Religious Movements, edited by Zachary I. Heller (2007), and This House We Build: Lessons for Healthy Synagogues and the People Who Dwell There, by Terry Bookman and William Kahn (2007).
To help you think creatively about reversing decline in your congregation and engaging change from a spiritual perspective, take a look at Can Our Church Live? Redeveloping Congregations in Decline, by Alice Mann (1999), Leading Change in the Congregation: Spiritual and Organizational Tools for Leaders, by Gil Rendle (1998). Alice Mann and Gil Rendle teamed up to produce a comprehensive guide to strategic planning: Holy Conversations: Strategic Planning as a Spiritual Practice for Congregations (2003).
For guidance in thinking about your governance and staffing, you will appreciate Governance and Ministry: Rethinking Board Leadership by Dan Hotchkiss (2009), and When Moses Meets Aaron: Staffing and Supervision in Large Congregations by Gil Rendle and Susan Beaumont (2007). To look closely and constructively at your synagogues programs and activities, you might want to start with Evaluating Ministry: Principles and Processes for Clergy and Congregations, by Jill Hudson (1992).
Finally, I would like to suggest two books which I have authored, and which have grown directly out of my work in support of synagogue boards and their congregations: Stepping Forward: Synagogue Visioning and Planning (2007) talks about how planning can help you engage new people and ideas and provide practical tools to maintain momentum in the planning process. Byachad: Synagogue Board Development (2007) helps boards become more reflective, proactive and participatory. It invites leaders to develop a Leadership, Delegation and Accountability Plan in order to plan a great board year. Reading them will help you understand these processes. Working through them, using the forms, templates, and process guides, will equip you to better plan and to more effectively guide your synagogue in this time of change.
Hanukah is about rededication. As you look into 2010, I hope you will find that your energy is renewed and the light of leadership keeps burning bright.