Bylaws, Policies, & Legal Issues

March 9, 2010 | 23rd Adar 5770

Bylaws and Planning

Cultivating The Future: Long Range Planning for Congregations
A guide designed to assist you in the process and discipline of long-range planning to help your congregation achieve its future goals.
Hearken to the Statutes: Synagogue Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, and Policy Manuals
The nuts and bolts of making bylaws, constitutions, and policies. Includes templates and a Think Small section.

Boards and Committees

Brit Avodah: Covenant of Service
It is the responsibility of Board Members to ensure their synagogue is an ethical stronghold and thus enter into a brit kodesh - sacred covenant.
For the Sake of Heaven: Committees in Congregational Life
This guide encourages synagogues to consider the ways in which they can organize and utilize their wealth of human potential to build and strengthen their community.
Managing the Sacred: A Guide for Synagogue Board Members
A detailed overview of everything you need to know in your new role as a trustee of your Reform congregation.

Congregational Heritage Preservation

So That You Shall Remember: Preserving Your Congregation's Heritage
Create synagogue institutions that function with clear awareness of the past and present so they can be managed with proactive deliberation rather than reactive disorder.
The Ten Commandments of Congregational Heritage Preservation
Learn the basics of preserving your congregation's heritage.
To Everything There Is a Season: Congregational Funeral and Cemetery Policies and Practices
A guide addressing the particular areas in which the synagogue and its clergy can provide comfort and assistance to its members during times of loss.
To Everything There Is a Season: Congregational Funeral and Cemetery Policies and Practices (Appendix)
Examples of Union congregations' funeral and cemetery policies.

Legal and Ethical Issues

Speak Truth to Power: A Guide for Congregations Taking Public Policy Positions
A primer for any congregation engaging in advocacy.
To Do Justice: Selected Financial and Legal Issues Facing Congregations
Certain financial and legal requirements must be met for a congregation to accomplish its mission and this publication offers some guidance.
Who May Abide in Your House? Jewish Ethics and Decision Making
Ethical issues are always a struggle and this guide sheds some light on ethics-based Jewish teaching.

Mission Statements

Hear, O Israel: Creating Meaningful Congregational Mission Statements
Learn how to make your synagogue's mission statement meaningful and reflective of your congregational community.

Order Publications!

You can download any of the above listed publications by clicking on the title. If you prefer a hard copy of the publication, please visit URJ Books and Music online to place your order. (Please note that most of the publications are free of charge.) Order now!