A REQUEST TO EVERY SHUL, SYNAGOGUE, AND YESHIVA:
PLEASE STOP CHARGING FOR ROSH HASHANAH AND YOM KIPPUR SEATS.
We spend the weeks before the Yamim Noraim telling every Jew: Come to shul. Come pray. Come do teshuva. Come back.
And then when they come, we tell them: How would you like to pay for your seat?
Something is very wrong with that picture.
Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are not concerts. A seat in a synagogue should not be a ticket to an event. These are the very days when we should be opening our doors as widely as possible and making every Jew feel that there is a place for them.
Yes, shuls have expenses. Rabbis, buildings, security, utilities and staff all cost money. Communities need financial support, and people who can afford to contribute absolutely should contribute.
But there are better ways to raise that money. Charge membership dues. Have annual campaigns. Ask people to sponsor programs. Appeal to those who can afford to give more. There are countless ways to support a synagogue without putting a price tag on walking through the door to pray on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
And saying, “If you can’t afford it, just ask us,” doesn’t entirely solve the problem. Why should someone have to declare that they can’t afford a seat before being welcomed into a synagogue on Yom Kippur? Why create that embarrassment or barrier in the first place?
This year, I am asking shuls everywhere to do something different:
Cancel the seat charges. Open the doors. Welcome every Jew.
Then ask your community to support the shul generously according to their ability.
If we’re going to stand up and speak about teshuva, compassion, community and bringing Jews closer, let’s demonstrate those values at the front door.
It’s a shul, not a concert.
There should never be a ticket price for coming to daven.