Faith-Based Membership: Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel

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With an eye toward growing its base of membership, Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel (KI) came to The Communication Solutions Group with two distinct needs:

  1. The Elkins Park based synagogue’s surrounding community was regentrifying and the progressive congregation wanted to find a way to tap into the spiritual needs of the new wave of young families.
  2. The synagogue was piloting a second location in Blue Bell, PA. Holding services in a rented space within a church basement, KI was seeking a strategy for recruiting a fledgling membership base that wanted a synagogue that was welcoming to interfaith and nontraditional families.

In Elkins Park, Communication Solutions launched a campaign called “Find Your Jewish Comfort Zone at KI.” Through carefully worded messaging and photography, the campaign ensured that non-traditional and interfaith families knew they would all feel welcomed. 

“Thank you so much for bringing your expertise to this transition. Your work is helping to create a positive buzz for the congregation and the community.”
– Brian Rissinger, Executive Director, Keneseth Israel

Approach and Results

The campaign was promoted through targeted residential mailings, KI’s website, social media and a variety of family-friendly special events. Through the duration of Communication Solutions’ work, 39 new families signed up for membership in KI, Elkins Park.

In Blue Bell, the opening of KI-Blue was unveiled during a large community fair. Families were invited to a kick-off event via public relations, social media and direct mail. Signage was updated outside of the building to help people find KI’s Blue Bell location. After its first membership event, the campaign continued by marketing to parent groups, moms’ clubs and local community initiatives. Twenty new families joined Blue Bell’s campus during KI’s six months in its flagship Blue Bell location.