Congregation Rodeph Sholom

What Congregation Rodeph Sholom does

Congregation Rodeph Sholom is a Reform Jewish synagogue founded in 1842 and currently operating from its historic 1930 Romanesque building at 7 West 83rd Street on Manhattan's Upper West Side. It serves individuals, couples, and families across the full life cycle through weekly Shabbat services, High Holy Days observances, lifecycle rituals (weddings, B'nai Mitzvah, funerals, conversions), and a comprehensive educational portfolio that includes early childhood programming (Sholom Sprouts ages 0-4), youth cohorts (Sholom Adventures, Sholom Discoveries, Rodeph Sholom Teens), and Rodeph Sholom School, an independent Reform Jewish Day School (Nursery through 8th Grade) that operates within the synagogue building. Specialized community programs include Shireinu (inclusive worship with ASL interpretation and sensory supports for Jewish families with special needs) and the Israeli Hug Center (Hebrew-language support, psychological aid, and community programming for Israeli immigrants in NYC), alongside social-action initiatives such as CRS Feeds and Backpack Buddies for food insecurity.

The congregation distributes its offerings through a hybrid model combining in-person programming at the main sanctuary, Chapel, and event spaces with a digital infrastructure including Vimeo livestream, Zoom-based daily Midday Minyan, Facebook Live, on-demand video archives, and the "Belonging" podcast by Senior Rabbi Benjamin H. Spratt. Phone dial-in access is also maintained for audio participation. The technology footprint is functional rather than proprietary, leveraging standard platforms rather than custom-built systems.

Revenue is generated through a tiered annual membership dues structure (ranging from $360/year for young adults under 30 to $5,190/year for two-adult households age 36+), supplemented by the Annual Appeal (the largest revenue source after dues), designated funds for tzedakah causes, facility rentals across multiple event spaces, Rodeph Sholom School tuition, planned giving through the Ner Tamid Society, and lifecycle-related contributions (kiddush sponsorship, yahrzeit memorials). The organization is governed by a Board of Trustees led by Chair Stacy Kanter and President Eileen Kleiman, with Executive Director Barbara Zakin managing operations under Senior Rabbi Spratt (the 11th Senior Rabbi in CRS's history).

Name

Congregation Rodeph Sholom

Legal name

Congregation Rodeph Sholom

Website

https://rodephsholom.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1842

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Congregation Rodeph Sholom is a 184-year-old Reform Jewish synagogue on Manhattan's Upper West Side serving individuals, couples, and families with weekly worship, lifecycle rituals, youth education (ages 0-18), an independent day school, inclusive programs for special needs and Israeli immigrants, and social-action initiatives, funded by tiered membership dues, an Annual Appeal, school tuition, and facility rentals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Religious Organizations (813110), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

akta.pro primary industry

Local Congregations & Worship Communities (Churches, Mosques, Temples, Synagogues) (BPAGAJAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Places of Worship & Religious Facilities Operations (Cemeteries, Retreat Centers, Pilgrimage Sites) (BPAGAJAL)

Keywords

• Reform jewish worship
• Religious education services
• Jewish day school
• Social action programs
• Lifecycle ritual services

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Primary revenue stream from annual membership dues structured by household size and age, with tiered pricing from $360/year for adults under 30 to $2,595/year for single adults 36+, and $5,190 for two-adult households 36+. Additional building fund charges of $200/year apply for first five years after age 35. Main Sanctuary reserved seating starts at $2,605 per adult.
2. Annual Appeal: Most important fundraiser and largest revenue source aside from membership dues. Funds accessibility initiatives, innovative programming, and clergy/staff retention. Features donor recognition circles (Circle of Vision $10,000+, Circle of Leadership up to $9,999, Circle of Community up to $2,499) and a matching challenge campaign.
3. Planned Giving (Ner Tamid Society): Legacy giving program for long-term congregant investment in the synagogue's future, part of ensuring long-term financial stability.
4. Tzedakah and Designated Funds: Multiple purpose-specific funds including CRS Feeds (food insecurity), Israel Emergency Fund, Refugee and Immigration Support Fund, Youth Program Fund, Sholom Sprouts programming, Memorial Plaques, Book of Life, and Security Fund, generating donations for specific causes.
5. Facility Rentals: Rental income from hosting events in the synagogue's multiple spaces including the Main Sanctuary (seats 1,000+), Schnurmacher Chapel (220 seats), Eisner Auditorium, Terrace, 5th Floor Chapel, Event Space, Schafler Forum (seats 250-450), and Leader Board Room. Catering kitchen and AV equipment available. Discounted rates for members.
6. Kiddush Sponsorship: Members can sponsor the post-Shabbat kiddush reception as a lifecycle celebration or memorial tribute.
7. Yahrzeit Memorial Contributions: Charitable contributions made in memory of deceased loved ones, aligning with Jewish tradition of tzedakah as memorial.
8. Rodeph Sholom School Tuition: Revenue from the independent Reform Jewish day school (Nursery to 8th Grade), NYC's only independent Reform Jewish Day School, which operates within the synagogue building.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Congregation Rodeph Sholom is a Reform Jewish congregation on Manhattan's Upper West Side that delivers weekly Shabbat and holiday worship services, lifecycle ceremonies (B'nai Mitzvah, weddings, funerals, conversions), multi-generational religious education from early childhood through adulthood, social action initiatives, and pastoral care to its members and the broader community. It operates Rodeph Sholom School (NYC's only independent Reform Jewish day school, Nursery through 8th Grade) and reaches congregants nationally and globally through livestreamed worship, on-demand video, Zoom programming, and a clergy-hosted podcast.

Product overview

Congregation Rodeph Sholom is a Reform Jewish synagogue offering a comprehensive portfolio of worship, educational, and community programs. Core offerings include weekly Shabbat services (Erev Shabbat, ReSoul Shabbat Morning, and Torah Study), lifecycle education (B'nai Mitzvah preparation), and youth programs spanning from early childhood (Sholom Sprouts, ages 0-4) through teen years (Rodeph Sholom Teens, grades 8-12). The congregation also operates Rodeph Sholom School, NYC's only independent Reform Jewish Day School (Nursery-8th Grade). Digital offerings include livestream services, on-demand video archives, and the Belonging podcast. Social action initiatives include CRS Feeds/Backpack Buddies for food insecurity. Special programs include Shireinu for inclusive worship and the Israeli Hug Center for community support. The synagogue also provides facility rentals and cemetery services through Union Field Cemetery.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Sholom Sprouts: Early childhood programming for families with children ages 0-4, including celebrations, classes, and community connection
• Sholom Adventures
• Sholom Discoveries
• Rodeph Sholom Teens
• Rodeph Sholom School
• ReSoul
• Shireinu
• CRS Feeds

Products and services

• Shabbat Services Weekly Erev Shabbat services on Fridays at 6:00 PM and Saturday morning worship at 9:30 AM (or 10:15 AM), featuring music, prayer, and Torah study; open to members and visitors, in person and via livestream.
• High Holy Days Services Annual Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur worship services offered both in person and via livestream, with ticketing/registration for community access.
• ReSoul Shabbat Morning Service A reimagined weekly Saturday morning Shabbat gathering combining music, contemplation, and Jewish wisdom, designed to inspire reflection and create community; launched in 2025.
• Livestream Worship Services Online streaming of Shabbat, B'nai Mitzvah, and High Holy Day services via Vimeo on the CRS website and Facebook Live, with on-demand video archive and audio phone dial-in.
• Midday Minyan Daily lay-led virtual prayer service held Sunday through Friday at 12:00 PM via Zoom, offering mourning prayers (Kaddish), healing, and community connection.
• Rodeph Sholom School NYC's only independent Reform Jewish Day School offering Nursery through 8th Grade education, located within the CRS building; tuition-based.
• Sholom Sprouts Early childhood program for families with children ages 0-4, offering Shabbat celebrations, holiday experiences, parent-child classes, and community connection.
• Sholom Adventures Religious education program for children in Pre-K through 2nd Grade, including Shabbat family programming and youth engagement.
• Sholom Discoveries Religious education program for 3rd through 7th Grade children, including B'nai Mitzvah preparation and youth engagement.
• Rodeph Sholom Teens Teen engagement program for grades 8 through 12, including social events, volunteer opportunities, and leadership development.
• B'nai Mitzvah Program Preparation and celebration program for students in 5th to 7th Grade becoming Bar or Bat Mitzvah, including tutoring, family coaching, and ceremony officiation.
• Shireinu Inclusive Worship Inclusive spiritual community providing fully accessible worship services for Jewish families with special needs, with ASL interpretation, sensory supports, and accommodations offered for four major holidays annually; nationally recognized by URJ and UJA-Federation.
• Israeli Hug Center Hebrew-language community programming for Israeli individuals and families in NYC, offering psychological aid, social skills groups, and a safe cultural space including support post-October 7.
• CRS Feeds / Backpack Buddies Food insecurity initiative delivering backpacks of shelf-stable weekend meals to food-insecure school-aged children on the Upper West Side, in long-standing partnership with West Side Campaign Against Hunger (40+ years).
• Congregation Membership Program Annual membership providing access to worship services, pastoral care, lifecycle officiation, religious education, youth and family programs, and facility access; tiered dues based on household size and age with confidential financial assistance available.
• Facility Rentals Rental of historic synagogue event spaces including the Main Sanctuary (1,000+ seats), Schnurmacher Chapel (220 seats), Eisner Auditorium, Terrace, Schafler Forum, Board Room, and catering kitchen with AV equipment; discounted rates for members.
• Union Field Cemetery Cemetery located in Ridgewood, Queens, owned by the congregation since 1878 for the burial of members and their families.
• Belonging Podcast Podcast hosted by Rabbi Spratt featuring conversations with CRS members about their life journeys, identity, and Jewish community, available for streaming/download.

Quantifiable outcome

• HIAS Pathways Trailblazer Award (2024) – highest congregational honor for refugee support work
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• West Side Campaign Against Hunger (WSCAH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCRS has partnered with WSCAH for over 40 years to address food insecurity on the Upper West Side. CRS donates hundreds of thousands of dollars and countless hours of volunteer time to WSCAH. CRS also organizes the annual CRS Feeds at Yom Kippur food drive in partnership with WSCAH. WSCAH estimates a 50% increase in emergency spending to meet demand, and CRS is responding through its CRS Feeds fund.
• Union for Reform Judaism (URJ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCRS is affiliated with the URJ (joined in 1901 as Union of American Hebrew Congregations). URJ provides resources, camp programming (Eisner, Crane Lake camps), youth movement (NFTY), Israel programs, and professional development for Reform congregations. CRS hosts URJ camp tours, rookie days, and refers families to URJ camps.
• Central SynagogueminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCRS co-hosts the annual Reverse Tashlich Central Park Cleanup with Central Synagogue, a joint social action event combining environmental cleanup with the Jewish tradition of Tashlich.
• MCC TheaterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCRS Outings organized a group visit to see 'Birthright' at MCC Theater, offering cultural programming for CRS members.
• Henry Street Settlement HouseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCRS Outings organized a tour of the Henry Street Settlement House, founded in 1893 by progressive reformer and nurse Lillian Wald, as part of celebrations of America's 250th anniversary.
• Days for GirlsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCRS members volunteer with Days for Girls, an organization providing reusable hygiene kits to empower women. CRS involvement supports over one million women globally through this initiative.
• Memorial Scrolls Trust / Westminster SynagoguecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCRS is caretaker of Czech Memorial Torah Scroll #1,104 from the Memorial Scrolls Trust in London, which preserves 1,564 scrolls saved from the Shoah. The scroll, originating from a Bohemian or Moravian synagogue destroyed during the Holocaust, is housed in the Schnurmacher Chapel and serves as a symbol of Jewish resilience.
• Kehillat YOZMA (Modiin, Israel)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCRS and Kehillat YOZMA Modiin have had ties for over a decade. YOZMA supports IDF soldiers, paramedics, and local families, provides aid to Kibbutz Nir Oz survivors, and strengthens community security with new installations. CRS funds this partnership through its Israel Emergency Fund.
• HIAScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCRS received HIAS's highest congregational honor, the Pathways Trailblazer Award (2024), recognizing its work supporting refugees and asylum seekers in New York through the Refugee and Immigration Support Fund.
• Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCRS hosts rabbinic interns from HUC-JIR (e.g., Jess Friedman, Jacob Friedman), and CRS was home to Rabbi Robert Levine who served as past President of HUC-JIR's governance.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Temple Emanu-El: The largest Reform Jewish synagogue in New York City and one of the largest in the world. Direct peer to CRS as a Manhattan-based Reform congregation with a full lifecycle programming suite, Streicker Center adult learning, and comparable membership-due scale.
• Central Synagogue: Large Reform synagogue in Manhattan's Midtown East. Direct peer to CRS — Reform movement, comparable scale, joint programming (e.g., the Reverse Tashlich Central Park Cleanup co-hosted with CRS), and overlapping member demographic.
• Congregation B'nai Jeshurun: Reform congregation on Manhattan's Upper West Side, sharing CRS's geographic and demographic footprint. Direct peer with comparable programming breadth and member-acquisition competition in the same neighborhood.
• Stephen Wise Free Synagogue: Historic Reform synagogue on Manhattan's Upper West Side. Direct peer given shared neighborhood, Reform affiliation, and comparable programming for families and adults.
• Congregation Beit Simchat Torah: LGBTQ-affirming Jewish congregation based in Manhattan. Direct peer in the Reform-affiliated NYC space, with overlapping programming priorities around inclusion and progressive Jewish identity.
• Park Avenue Synagogue: Large, prestigious Manhattan synagogue with comparable scale and member-due levels. While traditionally Conservative/Modern Orthodox-leaning in practice, it competes directly with CRS for the same high-engagement NYC Jewish donor pool.
• West End Synagogue: Reform congregation on Manhattan's Upper West Side, geographically overlapping with CRS. Direct peer competing for the same neighborhood households.

Emerging players

• Jewish Community Project: Lower Manhattan congregation with a younger, more contemporary programming model. Comparable to CRS in Reform-affiliated programming and explicitly mentioned in CRS leadership bios as a prior employer (Scott Hertz), signaling close ecosystem overlap.

Others

• Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR): Primary seminary of the North American Reform movement and a strategic partner of CRS (hosts rabbinic interns; Rabbi Robert Levine is past board president). Not a competing congregation, but the central training pipeline for CRS clergy and a structural counterpart in the Reform ecosystem.
• Union for Reform Judaism (URJ): The denominational umbrella of the North American Reform movement, of which CRS has been an affiliated congregation since 1901. URJ provides camp referrals (Eisner, Crane Lake), NFTY youth movement, and award frameworks — a central ecosystem partner rather than a competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCXbA7GHnLJ7LuMLE3WV5qHA
• Facebookfacebook.com/CongregationRodephSholomNYC
• Xx.com/rodephshalom

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Congregation Rodeph Sholom