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Elisheva Thompson
Synagogue & Jewish nonprofit marketing consultant

The 2025 Synagogue Marketing Roundup

Photo by Timothy Hales Bennett on Unsplash

Every January, the biggest thought leaders in marketing release their state of marketing reports, detailing the trends they observed over the last year, important statistics, and advice for digital success in the coming year.

Like the nerd that I am, I’ve read through and soaked up each of them, including Hubspot’s State of Marketing & Trends, Hootsuite’s Social Media Trends of 2025, Salesforce’s 9th State of Marketing Report, and Nonprofit Marketing Guide’s Communications Trends Report.

And if you like juicy details, take a look at those links and read for yourself.

But if you’re in the synagogue or Jewish nonprofit space and you’re strapped for time as it is, you may just want to know how any of it applies to you. If so, read on.

2025 Digital Marketing Takeaways: What Shuls and Jewish Nonprofits Need to Know

#1 on the list: Authenticity is Everything
Leaders overwhelmingly report that authenticity attracts audiences. Organizations are leaning into digital content that reflects their core values, personalities, and the people behind the brand. Formality is out; unapologetic storytelling and standing for something is in.

Listen to Your Audience
People have come to expect targeted, personal communication online. Synagogues and nonprofits must both understand our audiences better and act on that insight through personalization. Start with personalizing your email newsletters, but then go further—listen, learn, and adapt to your community’s needs by delivering digital content that’s truly relevant.

Prioritize Channels and Focus Your Efforts
You don’t need to have a presence everywhere online. Focus your resources on the small handful of platforms that will reach your community. Email is still the clear winner for connecting with your people. Social media follows, with YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok being the top platforms for nonprofit engagement. (Yes, folks are migrating away from Facebook and Twitter.)

Visual Storytelling is Where it’s At
By and large, visual storytelling – meaning, photos and videos – are outperforming text-based content on social media. Think fewer Canva graphics, more video clips of your staff. More happy human faces. More community-generated content. More proof of the value you add to people’s lives.

Everyone’s Talking About AI
AI is no longer just a watercooler topic; it’s a full-on member of every marketing team. While larger operations are using AI for a wide range of tasks, there’s really just a shortlist of ways faith-based nonprofits can use it in this moment: to plan communications calendars, analyze your online presence, and come up with creative content ideas.

Wednesdays and Thursdays are the Best Days to Post
Tuesdays are a close runner-up. So if you want people to read what you’re sharing online, stick to the middle of the week. Mondays see the least views and engagement across all platforms.

What’s also clear from reading these insights? Professional development will be critical in the coming year. Our nonprofits will need to invest in the learning of their employees, especially around software solutions and AI. The marketing landscape is changing rapidly; let’s not get left behind.

What will you implement in 2025? Comment below and let me know!

About the Author
Elisheva Thompson is a brand and digital marketing consultant who specializes in elevating the story and reach of faith-based communities. With two decades of experience in communications, she has led strategic marketing, brand development, and outreach campaigns in a variety of sectors, and is particularly passionate about giving Jewish communities a voice and an online presence. Her consulting practice focuses on helping synagogues and Jewish nonprofits develop inspiring brands, compelling strategies, and workplace cultures that bring people and purpose together. Prior to launching her consulting practice, Elisheva worked with UpStart, a national marketing agency, and numerous synagogues to take their communications to the next level.
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