"Find yourself a teacher and make a friend for life" (Avot 1:6)
Jewish tradition places great emphasis on learning and what it brings
to both individuals and the community-at-large. The
URJ’s communities of practice will provide
opportunities for congregations with shared concerns and interests to advance their current strategies.
Most communities of practice will learn, experiment and
reflect together for 18 months, but the changes they instill and the relationships formed will benefit and help to transform participating congregations well beyond the
18 months of formal assembly.
Benefits of Participating
Community of practice congregations will be emboldened to experiment "at home"
Push the boundaries of existing congregational efforts
Receive peer support and guidance along the way
Catalyze congregational change and garner skills that will benefit all areas of congregational life
"Across North America, people hunger for real connections. They want – they need – to be part of meaningful communities. The URJ's new initiative, Expanding Our Reach Communities of Practice, is designed specifically to meet that need. Please join us in this holy work, as Reform congregations come together, taking risks, exploring new ideas, innovating, refining, retrying, and, ultimately, re-imagining Jewish life."
-
Rabbi Rick Jacobs
Communities of Practice
URJ Emerging Young Adult Initiatives
With an array of alternative opportunities to connect to Jewish life today, young adults are increasingly invisible within synagogue walls. This community of practice brings together congregations aspiring to launch or significantly scale-up their 20s and 30s engagement efforts.
Successfully Engaging Young Families
Synagogues can serve as a center for families with young children to explore their Jewish identity and build sustainable community. This community of practice brings together congregations without early childhood centers (previously referred to as preschools) that seek to engage these families.
Pursuing Excellence Through Your Early Childhood Center
With increased costs and steep competition from government-funded universal pre-kindergarten, Reform congregational early childhood centers (previously referred to as preschools) must take a comprehensive approach to stand out in today’s marketplace. This community of practice brings together congregations looking to address these challenges.
Reimagining Financial Support for Your 21st Century Congregation
Every synagogue community requires financial support to operate. Most
congregations have relied on an outdated financial model. Through
participation in this community of practice we will explore the concept
of financial support being directly connected to a relational investment
between the congregational community and each member - understanding
from the congregants' perspective the value of being invested in a
congregational community.
The B'nai Mitzvah Revolution This
innovative program seeks to deepen the experience of middle
school children and their families as they prepare for and then
celebrate a b'nai
mitvah. A joint project of Hebrew Union College with the URJ, the
initiative addresses the challenges faced by many synagogues as a result
of the b'nai
mitzvah celebration driving Jewish learning of youth prior to age 13. This program is indicative of the goal of the URJ's Campaign for Youth Engagement, to increase the level of Jewish teen engagement within its Movement. Find out more information about the B'nai Mitzvah Revolution and the Campaign for Youth Engagement.
URJ Emerging Young Adult Initiatives 
Reimagining Financial Support for Your 21st Century Congregation
Multimedia: 