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“Strategy is about making choices, trade-offs; it’s about deliberately choosing to be different.”
-Michael Porter

Michael Porter is best known for his writings and teachings related to strategic planning. The timing could not be better for TI to update its strategic plan. We have adopted new ways to engage since going virtual, and we have the opportunity to ensure we aligned with our updated mission and core beliefs.

The work began in early 2019 when TI became a part of the OnBoard Leadership program. As part of this program, we secured a grant and the Board of Trustees felt strategic planning was the most critical area for its use. The last update was in 2012.

We put together a Task Force and selected Brian Hayden, President of Collaborative Strategies, as our facilitator. He gathered relevant data from TI on demographics, historical trends, surveys and interviews. A new mission statement and a documentation of our core beliefs were created.

OnBoard then presented us with another grant to continue our work. This year, we will focus on the four strategic priorities that will help shape the next five years:

Strategic Pillar #1: Reallocate our resources and time to better deliver on our passion for increasing engagement among TI members.
Strategic Pillar #2: Capitalize on our renovation, create greater integration among our pre-school families and the larger TI community.
Strategic Pillar #3: Develop and launch transformative youth programs that enhance and better serve our value proposition to families.
Strategic Pillar #4: Increase our cultivation efforts with members (building on the efforts of #1) to encourage greater philanthropic support for the Congregation.

Strategic planning is difficult but important work. It is a time to reflect on what we will be doing in the future and what we will be releasing from the past. Each one of us is connected to TI for a different reason. Each Jewish journey is unique and personal.

The strategic pillars are meant as fundamental building blocks that are aligned with our core beliefs. We will create action plans while we put together a financial model that will support our goals and be incorporated into our operating budget. A scorecard will enable our Board and Staff to measure our progress.

Temple Israel laid its roots in 1886. Today we can seize the opportunity to shape what is to come. Always emphasizing our faith and beliefs for future generations. We embrace our differences while celebrating our common Judaism. Our ultimate goal is to support you on your Jewish journey and keep you valued and connected by our TI community.

If you have thoughts you would like to share on our strategic pillars, I would love to hear from you.
Rachel Wallis Andreasson
Executive Director, Temple Israel 
randreasson@ti-stl.org