Emanuel Synagogue

What Emanuel Synagogue does

The Emanuel Synagogue is a Conservative Jewish congregation headquartered in West Hartford, Connecticut, founded in 1919 as the first Conservative synagogue in Connecticut and now serving the Greater Hartford Jewish community for over 100 years. The organization delivers a comprehensive portfolio of religious, educational, lifecycle, and community services including twice-daily minyan (365 days a year), Shabbat services, the Rabbi Philip & Ruth Lazowski Religious School (K-7), JTConnect teen education, adult learning, early childhood programming, weddings, B'nai Mitzvah preparation, baby naming, funerals, and cemetery operations at two owned sites (Emanuel Cemetery in Wethersfield and Beth Hillel Memorial Park in East Granby, the latter acquired through a 2018 merger with Beth Hillel Synagogue). Services are delivered through a multi-channel model combining in-person attendance at the West Hartford campus with Zoom and Vimeo Livestream for remote participation, supported by a ShulCloud-based member portal, bimonthly 'Everything Emanuel' newsletter, weekly e-blasts, and an active social media presence on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.

Underlying technology is built on standard SaaS platforms rather than proprietary AI: ShulCloud for member management, Zoom and Vimeo for hybrid worship delivery, and electronic Yahrzeit boards with touch-screen search in the Sanctuary and Chapel. The organization is governed by a Board of Trustees led by Co-Presidents Reesa Olins and Tamar Margolis, with Rabbi David J. Small (ordained Jewish Theological Seminary, Yale BA) as spiritual leader since 2002, alongside Hazzan Daniella Risman (Hazzan, JTS) and Hazzan Moshe Pinchover (Ritual Director), plus a 23-person staff combining clergy, education, finance, marketing, facilities, and custodial roles.

The business model is a nonprofit, community-driven revenue mix with seven principal streams: annual membership dues (subscription), religious school tuition (subscription), facility rentals of Sanctuary/Chapel/Auditorium spaces for lifecycle events, voluntary donations and dedicated tzedakah funds, retail sales through the Sisterhood Judaica Shop, perpetual cemetery plot sales and memorial plaques ($1,000-$1,800), and Brotherhood catering services. A referral program offering $250 dues credit incentivizes member-sourced acquisition. Emanuel is affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism and participates in tri-synagogue programming with Beth El Temple, Bnai Tikvah Shalom, and Beth Sholom B'nai Israel, signaling a regional collaborative posture rather than a single-congregation growth model.

Name

Emanuel Synagogue

Legal name

The Emanuel Synagogue

Website

https://emanuelsynagogue.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1919

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Emanuel Synagogue is a 106-year-old Conservative Jewish congregation in West Hartford, Connecticut, delivering religious services, K-12 religious education, lifecycle ceremonies, cemetery services, and community programming to Greater Hartford Jewish families across in-person, Zoom, and Livestream channels.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Congregation Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

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

• Religious services
• Jewish education
• Lifecycle ceremonies
• Community congregation
• Cemetery services

Headquarters

HQ city

West Hartford

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees charged to congregants for access to religious services, educational programs, and community events
2. Religious School Tuition: Fees for children's religious education programs including the Rabbi Philip & Ruth Lazowski Religious School and JTConnect teen programs
3. Facility Rentals: Rental revenue from Main Sanctuary, Chapel, Silverman Auditorium, Koret Hall, and other spaces for lifecycle events and community gatherings
4. Donations and Tzedakah: Voluntary contributions, dedicated funds, and charitable giving programs including specific funds for cemetery, religious school, and youth activities
5. Sisterhood Judaica Shop: Retail sales of Jewish ritual items including mezuzot, tallitot, kippot, candlesticks, Chanukiot, and gifts; proceeds support Sisterhood and synagogue operations
6. Cemetery Plot Sales: Sale of burial plots at Emanuel Cemetery in Wethersfield and Beth Hillel Memorial Park Cemetery in East Granby
7. Memorial Plaques and Tree of Life: Sale of memorial plaques (bronze, $1000-$1800) and Tree of Life leaves ($36-$72) for honoring deceased loved ones
8. Brotherhood Catering Services: Catering provided by Brotherhood for Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, Kiddush, Shabbat dinners and special events

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Emanuel Synagogue is a Conservative Jewish congregation offering daily and Shabbat prayer services (in-person, via Zoom, and Vimeo Livestream), formal religious education from early childhood through adulthood, lifecycle event officiation (baby namings, B'nai Mitzvah, weddings, funerals), cemetery services at two locations, facility rentals, and Judaica retail through the Sisterhood shop. The congregation operates Sisterhood, Brotherhood, Minyonaires, and Social Action community groups, and provides pastoral care, adult learning programs, and tzedakah initiatives to members and the broader Greater Hartford Jewish community.

Product overview

Emanuel Synagogue is a Conservative Jewish congregation in West Hartford, Connecticut, offering a comprehensive portfolio of religious, educational, and community services. The organization provides daily and Shabbat prayer services (in-person, via Zoom, and Livestream), formal religious education from early childhood through adulthood (including the Rabbi Philip & Ruth Lazowski Religious School, JTConnect teen program, and Adult Education), life cycle event officiation (weddings, B'nai Mitzvah, baby namings, funerals), cemetery services at two locations, and facility rentals. Community engagement is facilitated through social groups (Sisterhood, Brotherhood, Minyonaires), youth organizations (USY and Jr. USY), Social Action and Chesed committees, and a bimonthly newsletter. The synagogue operates a member portal through ShulCloud and maintains an online presence for virtual participation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Rabbi Philip & Ruth Lazowski Religious School: Religious school program for grades K-7 and teen education through JTConnect
• WHUSY (West Hartford USY)

Products and services

• Daily Minyan Services Twice-daily prayer services held 365 days a year, including morning minyan (7 am weekdays, 8 am Sundays) and evening minyan at sunset, offered in-person and via Zoom for members and the broader community.
• Shabbat Services Friday evening Erev Shabbat and Saturday morning Shabbat services with options for in-person attendance, Vimeo Livestream, and Zoom participation.

Quantifiable outcome

• Daily minyan held 365 days per year, twice daily
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Greater Hartford Refugee Resettlement CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmanuel partners with the Greater Hartford Refugee Resettlement Coalition to house and support new refugees escaping life-threatening circumstances. The Social Action Committee participates in refugee resettlement efforts as part of the synagogue's tzedakah and Tikkun Olam commitments.
• United Synagogue Youth (USY)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmanuel teens participate in WHUSY (West Hartford USY) chapter, a youth organization affiliated with United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism. Activities include social justice, Shabbat programs, teen High Holy Day services, USY Encampment, Israel Pilgrimage, and international conventions.
• Women's League for Conservative JudaismcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmanuel Sisterhood is affiliated with Women's League for Conservative Judaism in the North Atlantic Region, providing national organizational support, resources, and programming guidance for women's programming.
• Federation of Jewish Men's Clubs (FJMC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmanuel Brotherhood is a Quality Club affiliate of the Federation of Jewish Men's Clubs, participating in programs including the World Wide Wrap, Yellow Candle Program for Holocaust education, and men's leadership development.
• United Synagogue of Conservative JudaismcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmanuel Synagogue is affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, the umbrella organization for Conservative congregations providing educational resources, leadership support, and movement-wide initiatives.
• Beth El Temple and Bnai Tikvah ShalomminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWHUSY (West Hartford USY) is a joint youth group comprised of teens from The Emanuel Synagogue, Beth El Temple, and Bnai Tikvah Shalom, enabling broader youth programming across local Conservative congregations.
• Tri-Synagogue Collaboration (Beth Sholom B'nai Israel)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative programming with Beth Sholom B'nai Israel in Manchester, CT for joint events such as Tisha B'av Night services, expanding community reach across the region.
• Foodshare and Local Food PantriesminorOthersSocial Action Committee supports the Anja Rosenberg Kosher Food Pantry, Loaves and Fish, and broader Foodshare food security programs through ongoing food collections.
• Embracing Judaism ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint program with Conservative rabbis in the community, including Rabbi Small, teaching those exploring conversion or Jewish identity through the Embracing Judaism curriculum.
• JTConnectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJTConnect provides teen Jewish education programs including year-long learning at Emanuel. Madrichim (teen aides) must be enrolled in JTConnect or Jewish Day School to participate in the program.
• Camp Ramah in the BerkshiresminorOthersThe Director of Youth and Family Learning and Rabbi Small are associated with Camp Ramah in the Berkshires, supporting youth summer programming and Jewish camping experiences.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Park Avenue Synagogue: Large Conservative synagogue in New York City with a similar comprehensive programming model including religious school, daily minyan, adult education, and lifecycle services. A larger incumbent peer in the same denomination that sets programming and operational benchmarks.
• Congregation Emanu-El: Historic Reform Jewish synagogue in New York City with a similar broad multi-generational programming model. While Emanuel is Conservative and Emanu-El is Reform, both share the brand heritage ('Emanuel/Emanu-El'), large physical facilities, comprehensive education, and lifecycle service portfolios.

Others

• Camp Ramah in the Berkshires: Conservative Jewish summer camp in Massachusetts affiliated with the same denomination movement. Emanuel's Director of Youth and Family Learning and Rabbi Small have direct Ramah ties, and Ramah serves as an extension of Emanuel's youth engagement pipeline.
• Mandell Jewish Community Center (JCC): Greater Hartford Jewish community center where Emanuel's Engagement Coordinator previously worked. JCCs compete for Jewish communal programming, youth engagement, and family services, but with a broader recreational rather than strictly denominational focus.
• Solomon Schechter Day School: Conservative Jewish day school network providing K-12 Jewish education. Competes with Emanuel's religious school for Jewish education dollars within Conservative families, while Emanuel's Director of Youth and Family Learning is a former Schechter graduate.
• Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford: Regional Jewish communal umbrella organization that allocates funding and coordinates community programs, including support for synagogues and refugee resettlement work. Emanuel's Social Action Committee participates in federation-coordinated initiatives.

Direct peers

• Beth El Temple: Reform Jewish congregation in West Hartford, CT, sharing the same immediate geographic market. Partnered with Emanuel through the joint WHUSY youth group, making it the most direct local peer in terms of target congregation and programming overlap.
• Bnai Tikvah Shalom: Conservative congregation in the Greater Hartford/CT region that participates in the joint WHUSY youth group with Emanuel. A direct peer in terms of denomination, geography, and lifecycle programming.
• Congregation Beth Sholom B'nai Israel: Conservative synagogue in Manchester, CT, partnering with Emanuel on tri-synagogue collaborations including joint holiday observances (e.g., Tisha B'av Night services). Closest denominational and geographic peer with comparable programming scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xinstagram.com/theemanuelwesthartford
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCLqy7veWNcvk1ljKHh2FkOw
• Facebookfacebook.com/theemanuelsynagogue
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/emanuel-synagogue

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles25 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 Emanuel Synagogue