About

Congregation Anshey Sfard is a Sephardic synagogue in San Francisco, founded in 1893.

Challenge

As the congregation’s long-standing membership aged, leadership grew concerned about the lack of new, younger members joining. They sought to reverse this trend by expanding their reach, modernizing their approach, and creating opportunities that would draw in fresh faces and future members

Anshey Sfard’s free events struggled to attract consistent participation beyond their existing network. They needed a marketing and engagement strategy that would make their events appealing, well-attended, and part of a sustainable growth pipeline for the congregation.

Solution

We designed and implemented a community marketing strategy that connected the dots between brand storytelling, audience targeting, and ongoing engagement.

Key components included:

• Building a targeted list of local young adults through community networks, local partnerships, and social outreach.

• Crafting a recurring monthly Shabbat experience showcasing Sephardic culture.

• Strengthening the full funnel from top-of-funnel awareness messaging through event descriptions, RSVP flow, and post-registration communications to maximize attendance and retention.

• Running a bring-a-friend campaign and collaborating with local promotional partners to expand organic reach.

• Creating a flywheel for re-engagement after event attendance, building momentum and loyalty over time.

Results

Within six months, attendance grew from approximately 30 free attendees to over 120 paying participants, each contributing a minimum of $25 per ticket, reaching the congregation's full capacity and closing ticket sales early.

Events regularly reached full capacity, requiring the congregation to expand their space. Within the first year, 33% of attendees returned for at least one more event, and 10% attended four or more events.

Impact

This shift rebranded Anshey Sfard’s young adult events from free community gatherings into a high-demand experience that reinforced the synagogue’s reputation for authentic Sephardic culture. It established a replicable model for engagement that continues to attract new participants and strengthen brand visibility among Jewish young adults in San Francisco.

Final Takeaway

By combining authentic cultural experiences with a clear marketing and engagement strategy, Anshey Sfard built a thriving, repeat-attendee community that continues to grow organically. This case highlights how strategic community marketing can revitalize legacy institutions and turn occasional visitors into consistent participants.