Generalizations can be misleading, but it’s probably fair to say that most religious institutions count auxiliary groups under their organizational umbrellas–groups that provide service and support to the institution. At The Temple, these groups are the Brotherhood and the WRJ/Sisterhood. A quick glance at The Temple’s history indicates that they go back as far as The Temple itself, and to the Temples that preceded. What drives their longevity? In a word, Brotherhood and WRJ/Sisterhood have proven to be indispensable over time.
But there’s more to both than service, support, and longevity. Being indispensable also means evolving, adjusting, and adapting to meet changing conditions and expectations.