Reform Judaism in the West: Conversations for the Future
West District Symposium: April 5 & 6, 2013
Judaism is changing. The roles of synagogues and religious schools are changing. The interests of our youth, our families, our seniors, and communities - they are all evolving. As Jewish leaders here in the West, we feel the winds of change every day. While we are optimistic about the future of Judaism, we know that our organizations must adapt and help guide our communities.
Peninsula Temple Beth El 1700 Alameda De Las Pulgas San Mateo, CA 94403 Driving Directions
And continues on Saturday, April 6 at 8:30am at
Peninsula Temple Sholom 1655 Sebastian Drive Burlingame, CA 94010 Driving Directions
If you have any questions or need hotel suggestions, please contact westdistrict@urj.org.
We look forward to seeing you there!
L'Shalom,
Alan Zeichick, West District Symposium Chair
Mary Cohene, West District Symposium Co-Chair
Deborah Naish, West District Symposium Co-Chair Laurie Sobelman, West District Chair Michael Roth, West District Immediate Past Chair
Featured Speakers
Rabbi Jonah Pesner, Senior Vice President of the Union for Reform Judaism Rabbi Pesner leads the Campaign for Youth Engagement, a bold initiative to retain teens in Jewish life after they become b'nai mitzvah. Additionally, Rabbi Pesner teaches on all four campuses of HUC-JIR. Rabbi Pesner also served as the Founding Director of Just Congregations, the groundbreaking community organizing effort of the URJ.
Bruce A. Phillips, Ph.D., Professor of Jewish Communal Service at HUC-JIR in Los Angeles Dr. Phillips has been among the leading researchers in the sociology of American Jewry for over three decades. He served on the National Technical Advisory Committees for the 1990 and 2000 National Jewish Population Surveys and has conducted several local Jewish population surveys. He is also widely recognized as the leading researcher on American Jewish intermarriage.
Sister Judith Donovan, CSJ, Lead Organizer in the Bay Area for the Industrial Areas Foundation Sister Judy works with faith communities and civic societies in California to create change on issues affecting their communities. Find out more about the Industrial Areas Foundation. Sister Judy is a member of the order Sisters of St. Joseph.
We are also pleased to announce the speakers for our Shabbat afternoon panel discussion:
Arlene Chernow, Associate Engagement Director of Outreach and Membership, URJ Jordan Fruchtman, Co-Founder & Chief Program Officer of Moishe House Rabbi Sydney Mintz, Rabbi, Congregation Emanu-El of San Francisco
Schedule
Fri, April 5: Peninsula Temple Beth El, San Mateo, CA
Sat, April 6: Peninsula Temple Sholom, Burlingame, CA Breakfast on your own 8:30am Registration 9:00am Shabbat Service 10:15am Professor Bruce Philips Noon Lunch 1:30pm Sister Judy Donovan 3:00pm Panel Discussion 5:00pm Havdalah Service & Symposium Closes
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