Temple Emanu-El - Dallas, Texas
Restored by Faith
When Temple Emanu-El was built some 40 years ago, it was the spiritual anchor for 1,500 members and an architectural achievement for Dallas. Today, refurbished and expanded, the synagogue hosts a membership that is nearly double the original fellowship, and assures that the 120-year old congregation will be able to provide for future generations of its family of faith.
Thanks to a successful capital campaign, a new education wing at the Temple teems with schoolchildren and preschoolers. Remodeled libraries and program facilities are better able to handle the needs of a dramatically growing congregation. New and improved building systems enhance comfort and safety while preserving the integrity of the building. And a bolstered endowment ensures ongoing funds for program and building needs.
The campaign grew from a commitment by congregation leaders to serve the growing number of families looking to the Temple for a spiritual, emotional and educational center. Now Temple Emanu-El is able to provide for their needs and is also poised to be the spiritual home of their children and great grandchildren.
What Made It Happen?
Temple Emanu-El poured the foundation for its capital campaign when it retained Skystone Ryan to do a feasibility study. The study revealed that the congregation could raise $5 million or more through an intensive capital gifts appeal. Encouraged by the findings, and inspired by two dynamic campaign co-chairs, volunteers launched a campaign that had an unusual twist. Under the guidance of Skystone Ryan, they approached the project as a major donor campaign - using strategies associated more with museums, universities and other educational organizations than with local religious
institutions.
One of those strategies was to designate rooms and architectural features in the Temple to be named in honor of major donors. The approach was so successful that the congregation found itself continually seeking out new places and items to name. Soon it had raised $3 million.
Then with Skystone Ryan's coaching, volunteers began seeking gifts from members at large. Informal greetings at congregants' homes set the stage for requesting substantial support. By the time Temple Emanu-El had surpassed $4 million, the congregation was able to hire a staff development professional, who helped the volunteers bring the final tally a full $1 million over the goal.
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