A Networking Group is a new way to connect directly with other Reform Jews who care about the same issues you do. Join one of our 12 Networking Groups, each listed below. Each brings together those who share similar passions, questions, and approaches to Jewish life in general and congregational community in particular. These "virtual communities" allow for the sharing of ideas and experiences, while providing an opportunity to connect, problem-solve and learn together with other Reform Jews from congregations across North America. A staffing team of Union specialists in the field will facilitate each group. As a Networking Group member you will benefit from the following:
A dedicated listserv
A regular newsletter
Directed webinars
Conference Calls
Face-to-face gatherings
These 12 particular groups may evolve or change, new ones may be formed and others ended, as needs and desires emerge and we watch for and identify interests and trends in congregational life. You are welcome to join - or leave - a group at any time. There is no official "beginning" or "end."
Networking Group participants will have an opportunity to come together physically at the URJ North American Forums.
The Adult Learning Networking Group is designed for
those who have a passion for adult Jewish learning. Its goals include
creating a network to explore the vast realm of adult Jewish learning,
share experiences, and develop educational development opportunities
for individuals who are responsible for planning and teaching in our
congregations. The Adult Learning Networking Group will hold conference
calls and webinars based on the needs of the participants.
The Congregational Membership Networking Group will be composed of lay
leaders, professionals and clergy who see Membership as a means to
sacred community. Participants will take on leadership roles,
visioning ways to ensure that membership as a life-long covenant
between congregant and congregation. Our mission will be to address
the challenges facing our congregations and share best practices in the
three areas of membership: recruitment, integration/engagement and
retention. Members will participate in regular conference calls and
learn about existing resources in the area of Membership while
developing new materials and resources that address congregational
needs.
The Campaign for Youth Engagement is a major focus of the URJ at this time. This Networking Group is designed for all those who are involved with middle and high school youth in their communities and are seeking ways to further engage them. By joining this networking group you will be part of our Listserv and will be able to participate in a variety of discussions about teen engagement. You will have the opportunity to share your successes, concerns, ideas and questions as well as learn from one another. Conference calls, webinars and face to face meetings may also be offered.
With the publication of a new prayer book for the Reform Movement, Mishkan T’filah, many congregations are seeking to reform and transform the worship experiences of their community. This Networking Group is for those involved in worship and will explore the resources and tools available for both professional and lay leaders, highlighting processes that lead to more engaging worship. The group will engage in list serve dialogue, conference calls, webinars, and workshops based upon the expressed needs of the participants.
The Early Engagement Networking Group is designed to explore the importance of engaging families with young children. Research states that the sooner strong connections are made between the congregation and these families, the longer and more meaningful their relationships will be with one another and with the greater congregational community. Join our Networking Group and you will automatically be added to a listserv to share successes and challenges as well as ideas with other congregations all across North America. We invite you to participate regardless of the size of your congregation. In addition it does not matter whether your congregation operates an early childhood center or program.
The Hebrew Education Networking Group is designed for people who care about Hebrew Education for both children and adults in congregational settings. This group will bring together those who are willing and dedicated to support Hebrew education in our URJ congregations. If you are someone who studies, teaches and cares about the place of Hebrew in the Reform Movement, please join us.
Goals:
1) To establish a forum where people can ask questions and get feedback on Hebrew teaching, materials and curriculum for children and adults. 2) To encourage participants to share challenges and successes from their own practices. 3) To have an arena where new Hebrew materials and resources can be considered.
The group will hold conference calls and webinars based on the needs of the participants. We are also hoping to host in partnership with other URJ Networking Groups a face-to-face gathering in the near future.
This group will be supported by Mira Angrist, URJ Hebrew Specialist and Melanie Cole Goldberg, URJ Education Specialist.
The
Just Congregations Networking Group brings together Reform synagogues
engaged in local congregation-based community organizing. Its goals are
to share experiences and learning from fellow congregations in regards
to:
building relationships and leadership within the congregation as they identify areas of common concern;
forging partnerships with other local institutions across lines of faith, class, and race;
taking powerful action for justice as they work to repair the world.
Just Congregations Networking Group members gather periodically on
local, regional, and national levels, and learn together through
conference calls, webinars, and ongoing conversations.
This Networking Group will benefit those in all areas of congregational
leadership. Specific focus areas will include, but not be limited to,
identifying and recruiting prospective leaders, developing and
nurturing leaders, cultivating meaningful relationships among leaders,
and evaluating and providing additional training as needed, and
building a sustainable culture of leadership in your congregation.
Spiritually healthy congregations integrate life cycle celebrations and rituals of families and individuals as an essential part of building and maintaining community. This Networking Group welcomes all who are working within their congregations to strengthen community by encouraging an increasing number of members to share their lives and their stories, understanding and rediscovering that our communal story incorporates, includes and illuminates all of our stories. Together we will work on new approaches to both traditional and innovative rituals that reflect new understandings of family, and of changing life situations. We’ll explore marking passages from fertility issues and expanding our families through adoption, to the complex challenges of blended and step families, considering how we as Jews can embrace multifaith, multiracial, LGBT families and more, to discovering new understandings of Jewish community as our family configurations and our needs change and evolve. We will also consider a wealth of Jewish resources, both new and long cherished, that help us to confront and cope with aging, disability, and illness, and mark the final passage from life to death.
This
group will bring together those congregants and staff involved in the
marketing and communications efforts of their congregations. The group
will be encouraged to share challenges and successes relating but not
limited to emerging technology, new media, social networking,
electronic forms of communication (email, e-newsletters and online
bulletins), and dynamic websites. Members of this Networking Group will be
able to help one another in effectively using these resources in ways
which create inclusive connections with congregants and the community
at large.
Central
to the establishment of this Networking Group is an interest in sharing
the wisdom and experience of those who have experienced or anticipate
experiencing a significant change in congregational size or local
demographics. We intend to focus as much on process (obtaining the
pulse of the congregation, sustaining a vision for the congregation,
maintaining financial health) as outcome (merger, joint ventures,
collaboration, relocation).
A listserv will allow members of this group to communicate
regularly with each other. In addition, conference calls, webinars and
face to face gatherings will allow us to strengthen our congregations
and embrace the future.
The Small Remote Congregations Networking Group (SRC) will assist each congregation of less than 250 units as they strive to create a kehillah kadosha, sacred community. SRC will serve as a communication vehicle connecting small remote congregations to each other using internet, conference calls, webinars and gatherings as appropriate. SRC will serve as a consulting tool, ensuring that small congregations are kept informed and updated about Union Resources.
This Networking Group will benefit those in all areas of congregational
leadership. Specific focus areas will include, but not be limited to,
identifying and recruiting prospective leaders, developing and
nurturing leaders, cultivating meaningful relationships among leaders,
and evaluating and providing additional training as needed, and
building a sustainable culture of leadership in your congregation. 
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