About
Rakefet (RakefetOnline) is an all-in-one synagogue management solution purpose-built for Jewish congregations and nonprofits. With over 30 years of industry experience, Rakefet combines a powerful CRM with a complete AR/AP accounting suite, eliminating costly redundant software and manual data entry. The platform serves as the single source of truth for membership records, financials, and community engagement. Key capabilities include member and vendor tracking, billing for dues and school tuitions, donor giving campaigns, fundraiser management, and online payment processing via credit card and ACH—including recurring and global billing options. Rakefet's accounting module is a standout feature, offering full accounts receivable and payable with a member and donor self-service portal, eliminating the need for external accounting software. The platform also includes Yahrzeit tracking, an integrated Jewish calendar with weekly Torah portions, Google Calendar sync, and Twilio text messaging integration. Cloud-based and mobile-friendly, RakefetOnline supports unlimited users with granular permission controls, continuous data backup, and secure access at all times. An on-premises Windows version is also available for organizations that need it. Rakefet is ideal for synagogue administrators, rabbis, and finance teams who want an affordable, user-friendly platform that handles both community relationships and organizational finances in one place.
Key Features
- Full AR/AP Accounting Suite: Industry-leading accounts receivable and payable module built into the platform, eliminating the need for separate accounting software and reducing redundant data entry.
- Member & Donor CRM: Centralized member relationship management for tracking congregants, donors, vendors, dues, tuitions, giving campaigns, and fundraisers in a single system.
- Online Payment Processing: Accept credit card and ACH payments instantly and securely, with support for recurring billing, global billing options, and a self-service member/donor portal.
- Jewish Calendar & Yahrzeit Tracking: Built-in Jewish calendar features including Yahrzeit tracking, weekly Torah portions, and Google Calendar integration tailored for synagogue life.
- Unlimited Secure User Access: Cloud-based system with continuous backup, mobile-friendly design, unlimited user logins, granular permission controls, and Twilio text messaging integration.
Use Cases
- A synagogue administrator manages all member dues, school tuitions, and donor contributions from a single platform without switching between a CRM and accounting software.
- A congregation's finance team processes ACH and credit card payments, runs AR/AP reports, and eliminates redundant data entry by using Rakefet's integrated accounting suite.
- A rabbi's office tracks Yahrzeits, sends automated reminders via Twilio text integration, and manages the congregation's event calendar through Google Calendar sync.
- A synagogue fundraising team runs giving campaigns and tracks donor history within the same system used for member management, enabling better relationship-driven outreach.
- A growing congregation migrates off spreadsheets and legacy databases, consolidating member records, vendor tracking, and financial reporting into one secure, cloud-based platform.
Pros
- All-in-One Platform: Combines CRM, accounting, billing, and donor management in a single system, eliminating the cost and friction of maintaining multiple software tools.
- Industry-Specific Design: Built specifically for synagogues and Jewish nonprofits over 30 years, with features like Yahrzeit tracking and Jewish calendar integration that generic tools lack.
- Highly Rated Customer Support: Users consistently praise responsive and knowledgeable support staff, making onboarding and day-to-day use much smoother.
- Affordable Pricing: Positioned as the most affordable all-in-one solution in its category, reducing total cost compared to bundling separate CRM and accounting platforms.
Cons
- Niche Use Case: Designed exclusively for synagogues and Jewish nonprofits, making it unsuitable for other types of religious organizations or general nonprofits.
- No Publicly Listed Free Tier: Rakefet operates on a paid model with no clearly advertised free plan, requiring prospective users to request a demo before understanding pricing.
- Learning Curve for New Users: Some congregations report feeling overwhelmed during initial setup when migrating from spreadsheets or legacy systems, though support helps ease the transition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is RakefetOnline?
RakefetOnline is a cloud-based all-in-one synagogue management platform that combines member CRM, donor tracking, full AR/AP accounting, and online payment processing in a single system designed for Jewish congregations and nonprofits.
Does Rakefet include accounting software?
Yes. Rakefet includes a full accounts receivable and payable (AR/AP) accounting suite, so you don't need to purchase or maintain a separate accounting application like QuickBooks alongside your membership database.
Is Rakefet cloud-based or on-premises?
RakefetOnline is a secure, cloud-based solution accessible from any device with continuous data backup. Rakefet also offers a Windows on-premises version for organizations that require local installation.
Can members and donors access their own accounts?
Yes. Rakefet provides a self-service portal for members and donors to view balances, make payments, and manage their information, reducing administrative burden on synagogue staff.
How does Rakefet handle Jewish-specific features?
Rakefet includes built-in Yahrzeit tracking, weekly Torah portion listings, an integrated Jewish calendar, international date settings, and Google Calendar integration—features specifically tailored for synagogue operations.
