Abstract
Synagogues commonly lack a systematic approach to congregant development. The term "congregant development" refers to any and all efforts to hear people's stories, identify their passions and talents, match them to meaningful opportunities, and help them bring their full selves into the synagogue. Greater attention to congregant development is a prerequisite for the creation of a strong and dynamic congregation. This article originally appeared in the Synergy Newsletter (http://www.ujafedny.org/synergy), published by the UJA, 2006.