For the third time in 11 years, I joined a Synagogue because I’m the wandering Conservative Jew.

So a few days ago, a man rang my doorbell. Since it’s election season, I didn’t answer it. I should have because it was a welcoming member of my new Synagogue with a bottle of my favorite kosher vineyard. Unfortunately, it was a bottle of White Zinfandel. Again, it’s the thought that counts. It’s the thought that counts because the previous Synagogues did what many Synagogues do with new members: they completely ignore them. One top of that, a member of the Sisterhood dropped by a welcoming bag of Challah and grape juice last week.

It’s a big deal to me because they showed the effort and interest in making me feel welcome. I started on the right foot with the new synagogue and it puts me in a good mood when I’m there and when they send me a letter asking for donations. It’s the small stuff that goes a long way and showing new clients and current clients that you actually care and that they actually matter is going to go a long way in retention. I’m not suggesting you buy a new client a bottle of wine, but some token of appreciation or welcoming is going to go a long way in making them feel that they made the right choice in hiring you.