In 1905, 18 local merchants gathered to help a friend say Kaddish after the loss of a loved one. That act of support became the beginning of Congregation Shomrei Emunah. With a borrowed Torah scroll and annual dues of just 40 cents, the congregation began meeting in the back of a business, laying the foundations for a Jewish community that has endured for more than a century in Montclair, New Jersey.
At Easyshul, we make a point of visiting our customers whenever we can. Spending time with the people who use our software, in the places where they work, helps us understand the everyday challenges we are trying to solve. During my recent trip to New Jersey for the NATA/NAASE conference, I had the opportunity to visit Shomrei Emunah and spend time with its team.
My first impression was of a beautiful building with a strong sense of heritage, surrounded by the charm of Montclair. Touring the synagogue and hearing about its history brought that impression to life. There is something meaningful about walking through a place that has held generations of Jewish learning, celebration, prayer, and connection.
I met with Jessica, the executive director; Jen, who oversees events and programming; Josh and Melissa. We toured the facility before sitting down to discuss their day-to-day work and how Easyshul could better support it.
What struck me during the tour was how much happens within a single building. The different spaces and activities made it easier to appreciate just how busy a working day can become for the people keeping everything running. We regularly speak with synagogue teams online, but being there adds context that is difficult to capture through a screen.
When staff members are juggling responsibilities, they need information quickly. Finding an answer should take as little time and effort as possible so they can keep the day moving.
That need came through clearly in our discussion about education management. The team wanted clearer visibility into information such as class rosters and registration status. We talked about how the presentation of data could make administration easier and help them find the answers they need more readily.
These conversations are valuable because they connect software decisions to the situations in which people actually use it. How information appears on a screen can affect how quickly someone answers a question, helps a family, or moves on to the next task. Sitting with the team helped me better understand where we could make that experience easier.
The part of the visit that stayed with me most, though, was the connection between the congregation’s deep roots and the work happening there today.
As software builders, we spend a lot of time thinking about features, workflows, and improvements. Walking through Shomrei Emunah reminded me of the larger purpose behind those details. Our software helps support the people who carry this community forward, continuing a story that began more than a hundred years ago.
The way families register for a class, participate in an event, or connect with their synagogue forms part of their experience of Jewish life. Software has a role in shaping those interactions, and that gives us a responsibility to keep listening and improving.
Thank you to Jessica, Jen, Josh, and Melissa for welcoming me, sharing your time, and speaking openly about your experience. I left with a clearer understanding of your daily work and a renewed appreciation for the community it serves.