Ruth Goldberger
I am Ruth Goldberger, Mid-Atlantic Council’s Regional Director of Outreach and Membership.In preparation for writing this message to up-date you on all the Outreach and Membership related events and news, I am pleasantly overwhelmed by how much there is to tell you! If you would like to know more about me and how I can assist you and your congregation, please read my bio.
Keeping Connected
KeruvConnection is an internet discussion group that provides you with the latest news about Outreach and Membership resources and events and is also a forum for congregations to share best practices and concerns. It is vitally important that your congregation is part of this cyber-community!! Please make sure that at least one person (rabbi, cantor, president, executive director, program director, outreach/membership chair) from your congregation is subscribed to KeruvConnection. Please contact me if you would like to be added to this discussion group. Contact me at rgoldberger@urj.org or toll free 888.842.8242 about this or any other Outreach/Membership issue.
Some Recent Highlights
Temple Beth Sholom in Fredericksburg MD was awarded a single site grant to run Taste of Judaism this spring. Congregations who meet the requirements for single site grants and are interested in applying for next year should have applications in by May 16, 2008. http://urj.org/outreach/classes/taste/grant/
Temple Rodef Shalom, Falls Church VA was selected as a Belin Award winner for their program “From Generation to Generation – Staying Close to Our Intermarried Children and Our Grandchildren.” This program and other award winning programs were published in the newest Outreach and Membership Idea Book Vol. II, which was released at the San Diego Biennial.
Temple B’nai Shalom, Fairfax Station VA sent Leslie McNeill to the Membership Fellows Program in Cleveland at the end of March. http://www.urj.org/outreach/classes/workshops/
She and the other 22 participants from across North America came back to their congregations inspired and energized to help their congregations re-envision ways of recruiting, engaging and retaining members. Mark your calendars now for March 12-15, 2009 when the program will run again in Cleveland.
On March 9th , representatives from 4 MAC congregations – Har Sinai, Baltimore MD; Congregation Or Chadash, Damascus MD; Temple Beth Shalom, Arnold MD and Congregation B’nai Abraham, Hagerstown MD traveled to Harrisburg PA for a Membership Connections Conference. The conference was so successful, that the program is being repeated at Temple Beth Ami, Rockville MD on May 18th and on June 1st in Pittsburgh PA.
Coming Soon
As mentioned, the Membership Connections Conference – hosted by Temple Beth Ami, Rockville MD, will be held on Sunday May 18th from 2:30-5:30 PM. Join us and you will -
- Hear an update on the new URJ survey on Membership trends
- See the newest “must have” resources for your congregation
- Network & share best practices with other congregational leadership
- Learn about The New Member Ambassador Program
Intended for Outreach and Membership Committee members, Board members, Clergy, Program and Membership Directors - ALL Congregational Leadership
For further information or to RSVP, please contact me by May 12, 2008 at 888.842.8242 or rgoldberger@urj.org
ALSO, The Schindler Fellows Programs for Interfaith Family Certification
http://www.urj.org/outreach/classes/workshops/ is coming this summer – July 23-27 at HUC in Cinncinati and it’s not too early to sign up. This innovative five-day program, offered by the URJ-CCAR Commission on Outreach and Synagogue Community and HUC-JIR, will prepare lay leaders to support, educate, and encourage interfaith couples and families to make Jewish choices in their lives. Participants will receive a thorough grounding in group facilitation by specifically addressing the challenges of interfaith families. I’ll be there and I hope to see lots of others from the MAC!
To keep up to date please subscribe to KeruvConnection and visit our Regional Outreach & Membership Webpage.
Become familiar with all the resources listed on the Union for Reform Judaism Department of Outreach and Membership– including information about:
NEW! Beyond Shalom: Your Synagogue's Office Guide to Connecting with Warmth and Welcome
A first impression can last forever. And in most congregations, a potential congregant's first impression comes from a telephone interaction with a member of the office staff or volunteer. This training guide teaches both new and classic communications techniques and presents a variety of training scenarios.
