In an age of rising loneliness and declining civic engagement, the need to matter, to feel valued and able to contribute, has become increasingly urgent. Synagogues, as relational communities rooted in shared identity and interdependence, may offer a uniquely powerful setting to meet this need. Fostering a strong sense of mattering may also be critical for synagogues navigating membership decline, as helping individuals feel seen and significant can deepen engagement and attract new participants. This study explores the lived experience of mattering within a Jewish synagogue community, examining how cultural norms, leadership behaviors, and organizational structures promote or inhibit this experience. Through 18 semi-structured interviews and reflexive thematic analysis, the study identifies key relational signals and sources of mattering. Findings suggest that while the congregation’s culture of warmth and inclusion fosters interpersonal mattering, its growth and informality risk leaving some members less able to feel known, needed, or fully engaged. Without more intentional systems, the community may miss opportunities to deepen connection and shared purpose. The study concludes with recommendations for synagogue leaders to preserve relational strengths while creating clearer pathways for members to feel valued and to contribute. These insights enrich broader conversations about how institutions can cultivate mattering.