“With Judson’s broad scope, one will find things he missed or oversimplified; I highlighted several above. On the other hand, the book is accessible and full of examples from notable—and some smaller and overlooked—synagogues in American history. Ultimately, Pennies for Heaven offers an important economic perspective on Jewish religious life in America, one that scholars of American Jewish history should keep in mind.”
— Reading Religion
“Judson reveals a rich history that brims with stunning insights, making this book a must-read for anyone who cares about shaping a vibrant Jewish future.”
— Rabbi Rick Jacobs, President of Union for Reform Judaism
“Pennies for Heaven will capture the attention of Jewish and other American religious leaders and laypeople searching for guidance in their quests to support religious institutions today. This is a book to be savored and discussed!”
— Rabbi David Ellenson, President, Hebrew Union College
“In addition to being a valuable addition to American Jewish history, this book takes an honest look at the various models of synagogue funding, past and present, particularly the dues system model.”
— Jewish Herald-Voice
"Daniel Judson’s well-researched, marvelously original, and surprisingly entertaining study of how American synagogue finance evolved from colonial times to the present is a must-read for anyone concerned with funding synagogues."
— American Jewish Archives Journal