We are delighted to share with you the extraordinary program created for the URJ 2008 Southeast Council Regional Biennial. We hope you feel the excitement that we share with the Biennial Program Planning Committee and the URJ staff as you read about the dynamic program planned for you. It is our hope that this will entice you to join us November 20-23, 2008 in Savannah. Once there, we will do our best to inspire, energize, and refresh you while bringing you spirituality during this wonderful weekend.
The enjoyment begins on Thursday afternoon as you explore the Judaic vendors (many from Israel!) or attend our Panim El Panim: Building Community Through Pursuing Social Justice Workshop with Rabbi Jonah Pesner. We will gather Thursday night for a cantorial concert by our Regional Cantors, a Dessert Reception and the opportunity to help others by participating in our on-site Social Action Project, donating prayer books and packaging Shabbat delicacies for Jewish military personnel.
Begin Friday with an Affinity Breakfast; followed by three morning services; our off-site social action project at the Sojourner of Savannah, a new shelter for homeless women; and then our opening program with an address by Peter Weidhorn, chairman of the URJ Board of Trustees, followed by an address from Dr. Gary Zola on L'Dor V'Dor: Celebrating Three Centuries of Judaism in the South. You'll find an affinity lunch, 20 workshops and 10 committee meetings to keep your morning and afternoon busy. Are you beginning to get a sense of what this Regional Biennial has to offer? You certainly will not want to miss the Erev Shabbat Jazz Service featuring Musician-in-Residence, Mattan Klein, Shabbat Dinner, and a rousing, ruach filled Song Session led by Beth Schafer. Late Friday night those donating $500 or more to the Fund for Reform Judaism are invited to a special reception.
You will want to rise early on Shabbat morning to attend Study Breakfasts on Parashat Chayei Sarah using A Women's Torah Commentary. The highlight of the morning will be the Shabbat Morning Service featuring Rabbi Eric Yoffie, President of the Union for Reform Judaism, treating us to a meaningful, thought-provoking sermon. After Shabbat Study Lunches we will celebrate Rabbi Yoffie's 2007 Shabbat Initiatives with study and activities designed to nourish your souls. After Shabbat Evening Dinner, Havdalah and the installation of the Southeast Council Board, we will celebrate Israel with a concert of Israeli Jazz with Seeds of Sun, the North American pre-eminent North American Israeli-Jazz ensemble.
Don't plan on leaving too early on Sunday or you will miss our Sunday Worship at the historic Mickve Israel Congregation and an innovative breakfast program: Like Size, Like Minds: Congregation Discussions and Breakfasts, where you will be seated with congregations closest to your own size to discuss issues of commonality with questions facilitated by Dale Glasser, URJ Director of Congregational Leadership and Planning, Sub-Regional Breakfast Meetings and your last chance to shop in our Marketplace!
We know with all we have planned, you will leave Savannah tired, but energized, renewed in spirit, and equipped with new ideas and URJ materials. We cannot wait to experience all of this with you in Savannah at the URJ-SEC Regional Biennial!
Jane Aronoff & Andy Trattner
2008 Regional Biennial Co-Chairs
