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Brandeis Series in American Jewish History, Culture, and Life
Pennies for Heaven: The History of American Synagogues and Money
In the annals of American Jewish history, synagogue financial records have been largely overlooked. But as Daniel Judson shows in his examination of synagogue ledgers from 1728 to the present, these records provide an array of new insights into the development of American synagogues and the values of the Jews who worshipped in them. Looking at the history of American synagogues through an economic lens, Judson examines how synagogues raised funds, financed buildings, and paid clergy. By “following the money,” he reveals the priorities of the Jewish community at a given time.
Throughout the book, Judson traces the history of capital campaigns and expenditures for buildings. He also explores synagogue competition and debates over previously sold seats, what to do about wealthy widows, the breaking down of gender norms, the hazan “bubble” (which saw dozens of overpaid cantors come to the United States from Europe), the successful move to outlaw “mushroom synagogues,” and the nascent synagogue-sharing economy of the twenty-first century. Judson shows as well the ongoing relationship of synagogue and church financing as well as the ways in which the American embrace of the free market in all things meant that the basic rules of supply and demand ultimately prevailed in the religious as well as the commercial realm.
Throughout the book, Judson traces the history of capital campaigns and expenditures for buildings. He also explores synagogue competition and debates over previously sold seats, what to do about wealthy widows, the breaking down of gender norms, the hazan “bubble” (which saw dozens of overpaid cantors come to the United States from Europe), the successful move to outlaw “mushroom synagogues,” and the nascent synagogue-sharing economy of the twenty-first century. Judson shows as well the ongoing relationship of synagogue and church financing as well as the ways in which the American embrace of the free market in all things meant that the basic rules of supply and demand ultimately prevailed in the religious as well as the commercial realm.
- GenresHistory
256 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 5, 2018
About the author
Daniel Judson
19 books144 followersDANIEL JUDSON, a Shamus Award winner and a four-time finalist, is the author of five previous novels, most recently The Violet Hour. He attended Southampton College, and his time in the Hamptons (particularly the parts that don’t make the society pages) was the inspiration for the setting and characters in Voyeur. He now lives in Connecticut.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 3, 2020
Having served as a long-tenured synagogue board member and treasurer, I found this book quite interesting, particularly the history of synagogue finances during the 18th and 19th centuries. While the book contains much numerical detail about synagogue revenue sources and expense categories, it is well-written.
February 3, 2019
Only for academics and serious amateurs.
April 7, 2019
Prof. Judson’s fascinating tour of how synagogues finance themselves from colonial times provides a unique and fascinating history of Jews in American through the lease of temple finances. Several themes run through the book
1. Finance leads and values follow. So often changes were made because the former system wasn’t working. It’s then justified on values. Thus the need to move from pews to dues forced because of the need to keep growing. It was then justified on democratic principles or fairness. Varied dues or fees came in as baby boomers started flooding synagogues with more children and the need to finance more than rabbis emerged.
2. History - charge for HHDs, paying for honors, lotteries, pews, dues
3. Changes took place in the cultural milieu of the times. As Jews moved from Europe where synagogues were financed by public taxes and congregations had complete control, to an entirely voluntary system where members had control. Single city synagogues gave way to multiple “a communities with a synagogue to the community of synagogues. 56As Jews moved from working class to professionals, so did clergy wages. As America’s population grew and became more suburban so did synagogues. As they became less religious, the synagogue’s become “shul’s with pools.”
4. The relationship between Jewish and Christian. Judson argues that Jews never developed a theology of money as did Christians or the concept of stewardship, who found that giving money to the church was a way of practicing their faith as opposed to an obligation. Early funding sources wanted to mirror Christian for dignity purposes Funding sources (selling pews) remained similar until the 1900s when churches became free, and synagogues relied on dues. (See 148)
5. Rabbis as a professional class. In addition to the growing professionalization of Jewish people, the 1900s saw the creation of certification programs and schools, thus decreasing supply and increasing salaries. This certification process also applied to synagogues, essentially killing the mushroom synagogue movement.
6. The same arguments. Perhaps because Jews never has a theology of money, the same tensions constantly arise. The tension between equality, fairness, and privilege never was truly settled. Further, clergy contract spats, capital campaigns com
7. Constant change. There’s very little that’s being discussed now that hasn’t been tried many times before. “Taxes” levied in the early days look a lot like fair share today; mushroom synagogues look a lot like the independent shul movement decoupling services, Isaac Wise’s “free synagogue” movement looks like voluntary dues.
8. Social justice grew out of depression era economic unfairness
Quotes:
The decision to spend significantly on the building is an ongoing trope in American Jewish history. It might be only a slight exaggeration to say that capital campaigns have been essential to American synagogues as what happens inside. 31.
Commenting on the post-civil war boom in synagogues, well was created in the Jewish community, but that did not mean it necessarily was going to be put into a temple. The creation of benevolent society, Jewish hospitals, and lodges, it was within the Jewish community a new competition for philanthropic dollars. 84 Indeed the percentage of income jews gave when from 3% in the 1900s to under 2% today. Although during capital campaigns it increased to 3%.
Synagogue Center construction separate from lack of adequate financing. Many structures were corrected without regard to available funds for construction and maintenance. Too much money was expended in the purchase of choice locations into larger financial commitment was made…. Be ill effects of overbuilding in under financing or manifold. See 157
1. Finance leads and values follow. So often changes were made because the former system wasn’t working. It’s then justified on values. Thus the need to move from pews to dues forced because of the need to keep growing. It was then justified on democratic principles or fairness. Varied dues or fees came in as baby boomers started flooding synagogues with more children and the need to finance more than rabbis emerged.
2. History - charge for HHDs, paying for honors, lotteries, pews, dues
3. Changes took place in the cultural milieu of the times. As Jews moved from Europe where synagogues were financed by public taxes and congregations had complete control, to an entirely voluntary system where members had control. Single city synagogues gave way to multiple “a communities with a synagogue to the community of synagogues. 56As Jews moved from working class to professionals, so did clergy wages. As America’s population grew and became more suburban so did synagogues. As they became less religious, the synagogue’s become “shul’s with pools.”
4. The relationship between Jewish and Christian. Judson argues that Jews never developed a theology of money as did Christians or the concept of stewardship, who found that giving money to the church was a way of practicing their faith as opposed to an obligation. Early funding sources wanted to mirror Christian for dignity purposes Funding sources (selling pews) remained similar until the 1900s when churches became free, and synagogues relied on dues. (See 148)
5. Rabbis as a professional class. In addition to the growing professionalization of Jewish people, the 1900s saw the creation of certification programs and schools, thus decreasing supply and increasing salaries. This certification process also applied to synagogues, essentially killing the mushroom synagogue movement.
6. The same arguments. Perhaps because Jews never has a theology of money, the same tensions constantly arise. The tension between equality, fairness, and privilege never was truly settled. Further, clergy contract spats, capital campaigns com
7. Constant change. There’s very little that’s being discussed now that hasn’t been tried many times before. “Taxes” levied in the early days look a lot like fair share today; mushroom synagogues look a lot like the independent shul movement decoupling services, Isaac Wise’s “free synagogue” movement looks like voluntary dues.
8. Social justice grew out of depression era economic unfairness
Quotes:
The decision to spend significantly on the building is an ongoing trope in American Jewish history. It might be only a slight exaggeration to say that capital campaigns have been essential to American synagogues as what happens inside. 31.
Commenting on the post-civil war boom in synagogues, well was created in the Jewish community, but that did not mean it necessarily was going to be put into a temple. The creation of benevolent society, Jewish hospitals, and lodges, it was within the Jewish community a new competition for philanthropic dollars. 84 Indeed the percentage of income jews gave when from 3% in the 1900s to under 2% today. Although during capital campaigns it increased to 3%.
Synagogue Center construction separate from lack of adequate financing. Many structures were corrected without regard to available funds for construction and maintenance. Too much money was expended in the purchase of choice locations into larger financial commitment was made…. Be ill effects of overbuilding in under financing or manifold. See 157
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews