Rabbi Joui Hessel named “Youth Worker of the Month” North American Recognition for her Dedication to D. C. area Jewish Youth
October 19, 2007—Rabbi Joui Hessel of Washington Hebrew Congregation in Washington, D.C. was named October’s “Youth Worker of the Month” by the Union for Reform Judaism.
Rabbi Hessel, who says she has “technically” been a youth worker for almost twenty years, dating back to her first job as an assistant religious school teacher at the age of fourteen, is the Associate Rabbi working with youth of all ages at Washington Hebrew. She says that she enjoys helping young people in her congregation with the transition from being kids to becoming adults. “To simply be a small part of the maturation process is an honor and a privilege that I take very seriously,” Rabbi Hessel explained.
The “Youth Worker of the Month” award recognizes the talent, dedication and commitment of outstanding youth workers. Each “Youth Worker of the Month” recipient is nominated by a supervisor or peer and is featured for a month on www.RJyouthworker.org. The recipient also receives a book, compliments of the URJ Press, and a gift certificate to Barnes & Noble.
Recognizing that there are differences in the role of youth workers from congregation to congregation, the Union for Reform Judaism has created www.RJyouthworker.org, an interactive website designed to provide resources and support to Reform Jewish youth workers around the world. With message boards, as well as listings for programs and professional development opportunities, RJyouthworker addresses the needs of the Reform Movement’s diverse cadre of Jewish youth workers.
For more information, visit www.RJyouthworker.org.
The Union for Reform Judaism (formerly the Union of American Hebrew Congregations) is the centralbody of Reform Judaism in North America, uniting 1.5 million Reform Jews in more than 900 synagogues. Union services include camps, music and book publishing, outreach to unaffiliated and intermarried Jews, educational programs, and the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism in Washington, D.C.
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