Desperation pays....

Interesting concept: a synagogue paying you to be a member rather than the other way round -- through long-term, very low-interest housing loans, and dayschool and summer camp scholarships.

Loan recipients are expected to participate as much as possible in weekday and Shabbat services and synagogue activities. The purpose of this program is to rebuild the neighborhood's Jewish community, and that will require everyone's active involvement.

The houses do look big and cheap (from London, disgustingly cheap) although it's unclear how many young couples they can attract without a dayschool in the 'hood -- one of very many disadvantages of living in such a small community. One other thing that's not clear to me: where do they think all this money (-- potentially -- no one's taken them up on it yet) is going to come from? This is supposedly a dwindling congregation and shul fees ain't gonna pay mortgages....