Facing financial troubles, Haverhill’s Temple Emanu-El says it cannot continue in its current form for longer than one or two years.
In an early July newsletter, President Jennifer Lampron called on community members to look into possible next steps. With too small a group for their current building, actions include renting or selling it, merging with an area synagogue or sharing space with another organization.
With decreasing membership and difficulty maintaining a tenant to fill extra space, the Temple has been struggling “for many years,” Lampron wrote in the message.
“Over the last roughly 30 years, we have noticed our congregation aging and losing members, mainly due to attrition,” she explained in an email to WHAV. “Younger members have joined, but in far fewer numbers than in previous years. There appears either to be less interest locally in being a member of a Jewish community or fewer Jews in Haverhill or a combination of the both. We see similar patterns in some other religious groupings.”
At the same time, she said her call was answered by volunteers who want “to keep our community thriving.”
Going forward, she said she hopes Haverhill Public Schools will consider renting the space. Previously holding a preschool, she wrote, “We loved what they added to our building—filling it with noise and children, as well as helping us financially.”
In addition, she urged young Jewish people and families to join the Temple, calling their support “a breath of fresh air.”
The reform congregation traces its roots to 1937.