Project Bina

Project Bina, (meaning “insight”) is a volunteer committee working to establish a long-term feedback loop at Temple Beth Am. Project Bina seeks to deepen understanding of the needs of the Beth Am congregation, collect diverse perspectives from all TBA congregants, and use feedback received to inform our future planning, programming, and services.

July 2025 Project Bina Update

We hope you are having a great summer. A few updates from the Project Bina committee:

Stacey Symonds provided an overview of Project Bina to Rabbi Ruth’s rabbinic cohort. They were very interested in how we’ve approached gathering insights and Stacey’s had some follow-up conversations on how other Jewish leaders can leverage this type of feedback in their work.
We have been hard at work on a new congregational survey! We will be covering topics including belonging and engagement at Temple Beth Am, interest in different programming options and ways we can better support congregants’ giving of their time and financial support. We will also have questions on volunteering and interest in sharing your knowledge or skills with others. This was highlighted as a key opportunity to get more involved at Temple Beth Am by sharing your time and talents, in the remarks that Gaby Charlton, our Board President and Steven Snyder, Chair of our Board Governance Committee shared during the High Holy Days last fall. This survey will be sent out in mid-August and we would love to get your feedback to inform our programming and events for next year. Be on the lookout at the Annual Summer Barbeque for early access to the survey and in Temple Beth Am Happenings emails in late August.
We are gearing up to support our clergy and staff for a new congregational listening project in 5787 as we move into our 70th anniversary year at Temple Beth Am. More details to follow!

Project Bina March 2024 Update

Greetings from the Project Bina committee. We’ve been hard at work and wanted to share an update about our current projects.

We completed the rabbinic search survey last fall and used those results to help inform our application materials and evaluation of candidates.
In December, we fielded research on critical topics for our congregation and clergy that covered belonging, communal prayer and the Israel-Hamas conflict. We have been socializing results from that work with our Board, clergy, staff and lay leaders.
Insights from the Winter Congregational survey have been used to:
- Provide content and context for an antisemitism workshop on Mar 3
- Confirm support for doing our second Israel Engagement team’s event and book club focused on education around the regional context
- Brief the Gan Faculty on congregational needs
- Help identify priorities for the new Minyan committee
There will be a Congregational report-out on these latest project Bina findings, scheduled for the evening of Weds, March 27 from 7-8 PM PT over Zoom. Please join us for a review of the findings around the three topics of this survey: belonging, communal prayer and the Israel-Hamas conflict and how we are incorporating these insights into our programs and services
We consider it critical to Project Bina that we have the latest data about our congregants and their households, so that we can reach as many people as possible when collecting your perspectives. We are working with TBA staff to update the most critical congregant contact information in Shulcloud for you and your household, which also includes ensuring we have up to date Yahrzeit information for your loved ones, as well as capturing interest in committees and leadership roles. Stay tuned for opportunities to update your information!

September 2023 Project Bina Update: The TBA Congregational Kibbitz Results are in!

Kibbitz Presentation Video

Kibbitz Presentation

Here is a snapshot of our key findings:

People initially joined Beth Am for their children’s education, a connection to Judaism and TBA’s warm, welcoming culture and they stay for the community they’ve experienced, out of habit, and for their children/families
Members want to make the most of their experience at TBA today but need some help to:
- Make a (re) commitment to Judaism and TBA
  - There is a desire to understand our goals/mission better and how they fit into TBA’s activities and priorities
  - Members are seeking ways to engage and get involved, but lack awareness and/or access to opportunities
- (Re) Build and strengthen connections
  - Members enjoy and desire to participate in meaningful activities, but remain disoriented by COVID
  - Members of all demographics report it can be challenging to make deep connections, despite being an outwardly welcoming community
- Learn from others and about TBA
  - Members want to learn from each other about Jewish and general topics
  - They also want to get (re) acquainted with Temple clergy, staff and board and their roles so they can navigate effectively

Project Bina Committee Overview

The Project Bina committee supports and guides the Temple Beth Am community in the collection of research and data insights to help inform the development of our programs, events and services. We are committed to transparency, best practices in collecting information and helping our clergy, staff, board and other lay leaders create insight-informed action plans.

Committee Chair: Stacey Symonds

Committee Members: Heather Camp, Corinne Fligner, T. J. Stutman, Rachel Zerrell

Staff Support: Amanda Radman, TBA Membership and Development Associate

High Holy Day 5783 Survey Results Townhall

Project Bina shared their first results of this project at a well-attended Town Hall on March 19th.

If you did not have a chance to attend, click here to view Project Bina’s High Holy Day Survey Results presentation.

For more information about Project Bina, please email feedback@templebetham.org.