Be On Top of Your High Holy Day Web Site Game

While congregations spend a tremendous amount of time and energy preparing for the community to walk in the doors for the High Holy Days, it’s important to remember that your web site is a critical destination for members, prospects and the community at large at this time of year. Think creatively and carefully about how you can deepen the holiday experience, serve your members and strengthen relationships. While the logistics of the season may seem obvious to you, making sure you’re offering clear and easy to find information can be more valuable to your members than you might think. Consider:

  • Basic info like times and locations, with links to or an image of Google Maps or Mapquest;
  • Parking information, restrictions, suggestions;
  • Opportunities to increase comfort, such as a downloadable definition of terms, transliteration and translation of common greetings for the holidays, and brief tutorials on traditions, like the symbolism of apples and honey;
  • Support for self-guided reflection — though many people may not attend selichot services in person, how might you provide questions to catalyze pre-Rosh Hashanah reflection? Could be a question per day on the home page, or one per day emailed from the Rabbi;
  • Provide links to additional opportunities like sign ups for adult education classes, and resources MyJewishLearning.com or Babaganewz.com to deepen members’ experience;
  • Provide background information and any logistical details that might be helpful to the community at large and neighbors who live or work near the congregation

Temple De Hirsch Sinai in Seattle and Bellevue, Washington has made great use of their home page with quick links to more info, a few reflective questions, and an invitation (note: not an announcement, but an invitation) to join selichot services

How are you using your site this high holy day season? What would you add to the checklist above?

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