Affinity Groups are now called Networking Groups. We made this change to clarify their mission: to facilitate networking among Union congregants on Jewish issues that matter.
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 13 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
13 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
gatherings that are currently being planned in multiple locations across North
America for the 2010-2011 year.
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.
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.
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.
Share your successes, concerns, ideas and questions for creating,
sustaining, and overseeing the quality, scope and curricular content of
your synagogue’s total youth program in our Congregational Youth
Volunteer Leaders Networking Group. Those who serve on behalf of,
advocate for and support youth “behind the scenes” in congregations,
such as Youth Committee chairs and members, Youth Trustees on
congregational boards, and those who set youth group/youth programming
policy in congregations will benefit from being part of this
conversation.
The
Early Childhood 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
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.
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 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 Rabbinic Search and Transition Networking Group is designed to
help congregational leadership navigate their way through the Rabbinic
Search and Transition Process. The group will meet via Conference
Calls, Webinars and a proposed annual Kallah for rabbis and
congregational leadership halfway into their first year together. Topics will be
generated by the group’s interests and needs but may include:
Saying Good-bye, Saying Hello: How you say good-bye speaks volumes to how you say hello
Secrecy vs. Confidentiality
Taking the pulse of the congregation before, during and after
The role of the Board
The role of the Search Committee
The role of the Transition Committee
Vulnerable populations In your congregation
Change vs. Transition
Mutual and Ongoing Review
Building Partnerships That Work
The Rabbinic Search and Transition Network is open to
Congregational Presidents, President-elects, Rabbinic Search and Transition
Chairpeople.
The Staff of the Rabbinic Search and Transition Networking Group
will work in close partnership with the CCAR Director of Placement and
the Union District Rabbis.
The Small, Remote Congregations Networking Group (SRC) will assist each congregational 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.
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 for those involved in Worship Transformation 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.
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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