Synagogue & Shul Texting That Works on Kosher Phones
Send zmanim, minyan alerts and kiddush RSVPs by text, and call the members who can't get texts. Everyone hears it, from smartphones to kosher phones. From $20/month.
What's the best way to text a synagogue?
Everything a shul sends, in one place
Built around the messages gabbaim and shul offices actually send every week.
Shabbos zmanim
Candle lighting, Mincha and Shacharis times to every member, every Friday.
Minyan alerts
Short a few for Mincha? Text the regulars. They reply YES and you know when you have ten.
Kiddush & simcha RSVPs
People reply YES and how many. You get a headcount for the caterer without a form or a link.
Calls for talk-only phones
Members who can only take calls get a voice message instead. Same list, same number.
Yom Tov schedules
Every change to the davening schedule, sent the moment you know it.
Shiurim & classes
Weekly reminders to the people who come, so the shiur fills up.
Eruv & urgent updates
Eruv status, weather closures and last-minute changes reach everyone in minutes.
Appeals & donations
Smartphone members tap the link and give on your built-in donation page.
How to reach members on kosher phones
Three rules that keep anyone from getting left out.
Keep it plain text
Some kosher phones that allow texts still block pictures. Write the time, the place and the ask. No flyers, no images.
Ask for a reply, not a click
A link needs the internet, and most kosher phones don't have it. "Reply YES if you're coming" works on every phone and gives you a headcount.
Call the talk-only members
Some phones can't get texts at all. Send them a voice broadcast with the same message, at 1.5¢ a minute.
More detail in our guide to kosher phone texting for shuls.
Shul text templates that fit in one text
Plain text, under 160 characters each, so they work on kosher phones and cost the least to send.
Shabbos zmanim: Candle lighting 4:22. Mincha 4:25. Shacharis 9:00. Kiddush after davening. Good Shabbos!
We need 2 more for Mincha at 1:30 today. Reply YES if you can come. Tizku l'mitzvos!
Kiddush this Shabbos sponsored by the Cohen family. Reply YES and how many are coming, e.g. YES 4.
Eruv update: The eruv is UP this Shabbos. Good Shabbos!
Reminder: Rabbi Klein's Tuesday night Gemara shiur starts at 8:15 in the beis medrash. Reply STOP to opt out.
Sukkos schedule: Mincha 5:45, Maariv 6:30. Simchas Beis HaShoeva Monday 9PM in the shul sukkah. Chag sameach!
Writing your own? Check it with our free SMS character counter. Hebrew letters switch a text to 70 characters.
Evant vs ShulCloud SMS vs WhatsApp groups
How the common options compare for a shul that has members on kosher phones.
| Evant | ShulCloud SMS | WhatsApp groups | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | From $20/month | $35/month for 2,000 messages, then $10 per 650 credits | Free |
| Reaches kosher phones | Yes, plain SMS | Yes, plain SMS | No, needs a smartphone and internet |
| Voice calls for talk-only phones | Yes, 1.5¢ a minute on every plan | Not listed in their SMS docs | No |
| Reply YES to RSVP | Yes, replies are counted for you | Not listed in their SMS docs | Manual |
| Text length | Standard SMS, long texts split automatically | 150 characters per text | Long messages |
| Needs a shul management system | No | Part of ShulCloud | No |
ShulCloud details from ShulCloud's help center, checked November 2026. Pricing changes, so confirm with each vendor. Already on ShulCloud for billing? Evant can run alongside it for texts and calls.
Text and call your whole shul from one number
Set up in about 10 minutes. We handle carrier registration so your texts don't get filtered, and you can call or text us if you get stuck. Free trial, no credit card.
Try Evant free- Two-way texting with your whole kehilla
- Reply YES to RSVP, counted automatically
- Voice broadcast for talk-only phones
- Targeted and scheduled texts
- Built-in donation page
Guides for shuls and Jewish organizations
More on texting your community the right way.
Synagogue Texting FAQ
Can kosher phones receive text messages?
Most can. Many kosher phones allow plain text messages but block the internet, and some also block picture messages. A small number are talk-only. For those members, send a voice call with the same message.
How do I reach shul members who have talk-only phones?
Use a voice broadcast. Record the message once, or type it and let text-to-speech read it, and Evant calls everyone on the list. It's 1.5¢ a minute on every plan.
Do links work on a kosher phone?
Usually not, because most kosher phones don't have internet access. Ask people to reply to the text instead, for example "Reply YES to RSVP."
Can we send texts in Hebrew or Yiddish?
Yes. Hebrew and Yiddish letters are sent as Unicode, which means each text holds 70 characters instead of 160. Longer messages are split automatically. Use our SMS character counter to see how long yours is.
How much does Evant cost for a shul?
Plans start at $20/month, and voice calls are 1.5¢ a minute. There's a free trial with no credit card required.
Do we have to replace ShulCloud or our shul management software?
No. Keep your shul management system for billing and records, and use Evant for texts and calls. They work side by side.
Is texting better than a WhatsApp group for a shul?
For reaching everyone, yes. WhatsApp needs a smartphone and internet, so members on kosher phones never see it. A text reaches every phone. See our WhatsApp group alternative page.
Last updated November 2026 by Michael Pedoeem, founder of Evant.
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Your congregation is one text away.
