Synagogues: Transformation and Renewal

Synagogues: Transformation and Renewal (STAR) is a Jewish advocacy organization to support synagogues in the United States.^[1]

Overview

It was founded in 2000 by businessman Edgar Bronfman, businessman Charles Schusterman, and investor Michael Steinhardt.^[2]^[3] It is headquartered in St. Louis Park, Minnesota.^[4] Lynn Schusterman, the co-founder's widow, is chairwoman of the board.^[5]

The organization pledged to give $18 million the first year.^[2] Participants in the inaugural summit in Chicago included Rabbi and author Shmuley Boteach, Professor Richard Joel, and Koret Foundation interim director Mel Mogulof.^[2] They donate $500,000 to synagogues in the United States every year.^[2]

In 2009, together with the Center for Jewish Policy Studies, it helped publish Synagogues in a Time of Change: Fragmentation and Diversity in Jewish Religious Movements by Zachary I. Heller.^[6]

References

^ Sidney Schwarz, Ruth Messinger, Judaism and Justice: The Jewish Passion to Repair the World, Jewish Lights Publishing, 2008, p. 180 [1]
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Julie Wiener, 'Will $18 million in grants catalyze synagogue revival?', in J. The Jewish News of Northern California, September 15, 2000 [2]
^ Dana Evan Kaplan, Contemporary American Judaism: transformation and renewal, New York City: Columbia University Press, 2009, p. 371 [3]
^ Star Synagogue Studies
^ Jeffrey K. Salkin, A dream of Zion: American Jews reflect on why Israel matters to them, Woodstock, Vermont: Jewish Lights Publishing, 2007, p. 95 [4]
^ Zachary I. Heller, Synagogues in a Time of Change: Fragmentation and Diversity in Jewish Religious Movements, The Alban Institute, 2009, p. ix [5]