What Congregation Emanu El does

Congregation Emanu El is a Reform Jewish synagogue and nonprofit religious organization founded in 1944 in Houston, Texas. The congregation has grown from 190 founding families to over 1,650 member families and operates from a Frank Lloyd Wright-style modernist building at 1500 Sunset Blvd, constructed in 1949 by Lenard Gabert and MacKie & Kamrath Architects, located across from Rice University and near the Texas Medical Center. Its service portfolio spans the full lifecycle: worship services (Shabbat, High Holy Days, holidays), early childhood education (Becker School), K-12 religious education (Helfman Religious School), adult learning (Conversations That Matter, Endowment Speaker Series), and community programs including The Shalva Project (mental health support in partnership with Alexander Jewish Family Service), Motherhood Together (postpartum support), Emanu El Cares (volunteer programming), and dedicated tracks for young professionals, sisterhood, and seniors (The Classics). It also operates Emanu El Memorial Park (cemetery) and a gift shop.

The congregation's technology footprint is modest and third-party: ShulCloud, a synagogue-specific CMS, handles member management, event registration, donation processing, and the website. Digital outreach supplements in-person programming via Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, email, and livestreamed services. There is no proprietary technology, no AI/ML capability, and no public API.

The business model is a diversified nonprofit revenue stack: recurring membership dues (renewed annually through the Step UP campaign), school tuition at Becker and Helfman, program fees (e.g., Motherhood Together at $180 for members / $250 for non-members), major donations and endowments, and the L'Dor VaDor capital campaign funding the new Jerold B. Katz Family Center for Jewish Learning. Governance is by a member-elected Board of Trustees, with clergy leadership under Senior Rabbi Oren J. Hayon (in role since June 2015). The congregation is affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism.

Name

Congregation Emanu El

Legal name

Congregation Emanu El

Website

https://emanuelhouston.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1944

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Congregation Emanu El is a Reform synagogue founded in 1944 in Houston, Texas, serving 1,650+ member families with worship, K-12 religious education, early childhood programs, and community services, funded through membership dues, tuition, and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Organization Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Religious Organizations (81311), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Educational Services (611), Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Faith-Based Preschools (EDACABAF), Faith-Based (Religious) K–12 Schools (EDAJABAC), Campus Spiritual & Religious Life (EDALAHAI)

Keywords

• Religious worship services
• Religious education programs
• Community engagement services
• Jewish lifecycle events
• Volunteer community programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Houston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues and Contributions: Congregants pay annual membership dues and make ongoing financial contributions to support synagogue operations, programs, and facilities. The 'Step UP' annual membership renewal campaign is a key revenue driver.
2. Program Fees: Fees charged for participation in programs such as Motherhood Together ($180 for members, $250 for non-members), covering administrative costs and food.
3. School Tuition: Revenue from Becker School (early childhood education) and Helfman Religious School educational programs.
4. Donations and Endowments: Major donations, tribute gifts, endowment contributions, and the L'Dor VaDor campaign for the new building. Donors contributing over $100,000 are recognized with beam inscriptions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Congregation Emanu El is a Reform Jewish synagogue providing religious worship services (Shabbat and holiday services, lifecycle events), religious education through Becker School (early childhood) and Helfman Religious School, adult education programs, and community engagement initiatives such as The Shalva Project (mental health support) and Motherhood Together (postpartum support). The congregation serves over 1,650 member families in the Houston metropolitan area.

Product overview

Congregation Emanu El is a Reform synagogue offering a comprehensive portfolio of religious, educational, and community programs. The organization operates Becker School (early childhood education) and Helfman Religious School, along with adult education programs. Community services include The Shalva Project (mental health counseling in partnership with Alexander Jewish Family Service), Motherhood Together (postpartum support), and volunteer programs like Emanu El Cares. The congregation is currently constructing the Jerold B. Katz Family Center for Jewish Learning, a two-story education and multi-purpose building expected to be completed in 2026. Additional offerings include regular Shabbat and holiday worship services, travel programs, gift shop, cemetery services, and seasonal summer programming.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Becker School

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Alexander Jewish Family ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Alexander Jewish Family Service to offer The Shalva Project, providing mental health support, healing, community, and connection for congregants through on-site clinical social work services and case management. The partnership brings Anna Ashburn (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) and Adele Croft (Case Management Specialist) to serve the congregation.
• Union for Reform JudaismcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCongregation Emanu El is affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism, the governing body for Reform Judaism in North America, providing religious guidance, resources, and community connection.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Temple Emanu-El (New York): One of the largest Reform Jewish congregations in the United States, with extensive programming, education, and community services. Comparable as a benchmark for scale and programming breadth, though it operates in a much larger and more urbanized market than Emanu El Houston.
• Temple Emanu-El (Dallas): A large, established Reform synagogue in Dallas serving a similar Reform Jewish demographic with comparable worship, education, and community programming. Comparable as a larger regional incumbent operating in the same Texas Jewish community ecosystem.

Direct peers

• Congregation Beth Yeshurun: The largest Jewish congregation in Houston, also affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism. Directly competes with Congregation Emanu El for member families in the Houston metropolitan area and operates comparable religious, educational, and community programming.
• Congregation Brith Shalom: Another established Houston-area Jewish congregation providing worship, education, and community programming. Directly competes for member families in the same geographic market as Emanu El.
• Congregation Beth Israel (Houston): A historic Houston Jewish congregation offering Reform worship, religious education, and lifecycle services. Comparable as a same-denomination competitor in the same Houston market targeting similar member profiles.
• Temple Beth Shalom (Houston): A Houston-area Jewish congregation offering religious, educational, and community programs comparable to Emanu El. Directly competes for affiliated families in the Houston market.

Others

• Jewish Federation of Greater Houston: The regional Jewish community umbrella organization that coordinates communal services, philanthropy, and social services in the Houston area. Comparable as a community ecosystem stakeholder and potential funding partner rather than a direct competitor.

Regional players

• Temple Sinai (New Orleans): A Reform Jewish congregation in another Southern U.S. city, offering comparable worship, education, and community programming for affiliated families. Comparable as a regional Reform peer with similar program structure and community-anchored model.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCHsxXxlkwt6ozsEpey-ZjuA
• Facebookfacebook.com/emanuelhouston
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/congregation-emanu-el_2
• Instagraminstagram.com/emanuelhouston

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries5 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 Emanu El