Or Hadash Strategic Planning Process

We announced the launch of a new initiative that will guide our synagogue’s growth and enhance our community’s vibrancy over the coming years. After months of careful planning and thoughtful discussions, our board approved a collaborative strategic planning and visioning process, guided by two nonprofit consultants and members of the Atlanta Jewish community. The success of this plan will emerge from your direct engagement in a highly participatory process so that we can collectively write our future as a Jewish spiritual community. 

Key Objectives of the Strategic Planning Process

  1. Community Engagement: We aim to foster deeper connections among our members through innovative programming, outreach, and volunteer opportunities.

  2. Sustainability: We are committed to ensuring the long-term sustainability of our synagogue through sound financial practices, resource allocation, and community support.

  3. Inclusivity: Our goal is to create an environment that welcomes everyone, encouraging diverse voices and participation from all members of our community.

Timeline

We will be conducting this process in a very short timeframe. We initiated the process in May and are scheduled to conclude before the High Holidays in September. The Or Hadash Board, staff, strategic planning team, congregation and our consultants all have specific roles and tasks during these next three months.

Ways for you to Participate

We want to hear your voice. We need to hear your voice. Here are a few ways for you to get involved.

  • Take the Congregational Online Survey: July 1-20th

    We will send an email in early July to let you know when the Survey is available and will share the link for you to access it. We encourage every member of your family, ages 13 and up, to individually complete the Survey.

  • Join the Intergenerational Input Session at Or Hadash: July 27, 3:30 pm-6pm

    We invite you to come in person to share your feedback in an interactive session, led by members of the Strategic Planning Team and Consultants.

  • Join the Virtual Intergenerational Input Session: July, TBD

    If you are unable to attend the in-person Input Session at Or Hadash, there will be a Zoom Input Session so that you may participate virtually. We will share the specific date once it has been finalized.

  • Come to a “Learning the Landscape” Study Group: Wednesdays, 12:00-1:00 pm at Or Hadash

    These weekly sessions explore what’s happening in the wider Jewish world and how it can inform our future. They’re vibrant, thought-provoking and your input helps shape the conversation. Refer to the weekly EHadashot or our website calendar for the weekly link and password.

Strategic Planning at Or Hadash: Your Questions Answered

Q: What is Strategic Planning and why are we doing it?
A: Strategic planning is how we dream together. The process helps us shape Or Hadash’s future with intention and your participation helps shape the plan. It allows us to assess where we are, where we want to go, and how we’ll get there—together. This is our opportunity to build upon the foundation of our last strategic plan in 2009 toward a future grounded in our shared values and aspirations and give us a road-map for the next three+ years.

Q: Who can I talk to if I have questions or want to share an idea?
A: You can always speak with Rabbi Lauren, Strategic Planning Committee Chair Sheila Dalmat, members of the Strategic Planning Committee, or email the team at LearningtheLandscape@gmail.com. We’d love to hear from you.

Q: Who are the consultants we are working with?
A: We’ve brought in two thoughtful and experienced consultants—Gail Rothman and Rachel Wallack from The Callahan Collaborative. They are both former nonprofit Executive Directors with deep experience in community-based strategy. Their approach uses an evidence-based method called Technology of Participation (ToP), developed by the Institute of Cultural Affairs, which has helped organizations and communities drive meaningful, lasting change.

Q: What happens at the end of the process?
A: We’ll pull together everything we hear—from surveys, sessions, and study groups—and shape it into clear, focused priorities. The process will result in clear, actionable goals for Or Hadash—S.M.A.R.T. goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound)—for the next three years. These goals will be shared with the congregation and include quarterly accountability milestones to keep us on track.

Q: Why now?
A: Because our future doesn’t just happen—we shape it. At 22 years and counting, Or Hadash is growing and evolving. Strategic planning helps us build on what we love, listen to each other, and shape what comes next—together, and with intention.

Your Questions Answered

  • Strategic planning is how we dream together. The process helps us shape Or Hadash’s future with intention and your participation helps shape the plan. It allows us to assess where we are, where we want to go, and how we’ll get there—together. This is our opportunity to build upon the foundation of our last strategic plan in 2009 toward a future grounded in our shared values and aspirations and give us a road-map for the next three+ years.

  •  You can always speak with Rabbi Lauren, Strategic Planning Committee Chair Sheila Dalmat, members of the Strategic Planning Committee, or email the team at LearningtheLandscape@gmail.com. We’d love to hear from you.

  • We’ve brought in two thoughtful and experienced consultants—Gail Rothman and Rachel Wallack from The Callahan Collaborative. They are both former nonprofit Executive Directors with deep experience in community-based strategy. Their approach uses an evidence-based method called Technology of Participation (ToP), developed by the Institute of Cultural Affairs, which has helped organizations and communities drive meaningful, lasting change.

  • We’ll pull together everything we hear—from surveys, sessions, and study groups—and shape it into clear, focused priorities. The process will result in clear, actionable goals for Or Hadash—S.M.A.R.T. goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound)—for the next three years. These goals will beshared with the congregation and include quarterly accountability milestones to keep us on tragck.be

  • Because our future doesn’t just happen—we shape it. At 22 years and counting, Or Hadash is growing and evolving. Strategic planning helps us build on what we love, listen to each other, and shape what comes next—together, and with intention.