Synagogues: Transformation and Renewal

Synagogues: Transformation and Renewal (STAR) is a Jewish advocacy organization to support synagogues in the United States.[1]

Overview

It was founded in 2000 by Edgar Bronfman, Charles Schusterman and Michael Steinhardt.[2][3] It is headquartered in St. Louis Park, Minnesota.[4] Lynn Schusterman, the co-founder's widow, is Chairwoman of the Board.[5]

They pledged to give $18 million the first year.[2] Participants in the inaugural summit in Chicago included Shmuley Boteach, Richard Joel, and Koret Foundation interim director Mel Mogulof [2] They donate $500,000 to synagogues in the United States every year.[2]

In 2009, together with the Center for Jewish Policy Studies, it helped publish Synagogues in a Time of Change: Fragmentation and Diversity in Jewish Religious Movements by Zachary I. Heller.[6]

References

  1. ^ Sidney Schwarz, Ruth Messinger, Judaism and Justice: The Jewish Passion to Repair the World, Jewish Lights Publishing, 2008, p. 180 [1]
  2. ^ a b c d Julie Wiener, 'Will $18 million in grants catalyze synagogue revival?', in j., September 15, 2000 [2]
  3. ^ Dana Evan Kaplan, Contemporary American Judaism: transformation and renewal, New York City: Columbia University Press, 2009, p. 371 [3]
  4. ^ Star Synagogue Studies
  5. ^ Jeffrey K. Salkin, A dream of Zion: American Jews reflect on why Israel matters to them, Woodstock, Vermont: Jewish Lights Publishing, 2007, p. 95 [4]
  6. ^ Zachary I. Heller, Synagogues in a Time of Change: Fragmentation and Diversity in Jewish Religious Movements, The Alban Institute, 2009, p. ix [5]