<I>Had'rachah</i> Seminar for Lay Leadership in Ritual Life

May 23, 2012 | 2nd Sivan 5772

SOLD OUT:
Registration Closed

August 8-12, 2012
at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati, OH
Part of the Summer Learning Institute
A Program of the Union for Reform Judaism

In 1989 the URJ created the first program that offers uniform training to lay leaders, primarily those in small congregations, to help them support the spiritual life of their congregations. Over the years, this effort has expanded to meet the changing needs of all our congregations.

The Had’rachah Seminar (formerly the Sh'liach K'hilah/Synagogue Associate Program) teaches lay leaders a variety of skills to help them support communal worship, lifecycle events and educational opportunities. Participants in the Had’rachah Seminar may use these skills in various ways—by serving a congregation that has no clergy; by working in an assisted living facility or adult community; or by assisting their congregational clergy.

Program Resources

2012 Scholarship Application
Scholarship applications will be reviewed on a first come basis and the scholarships will be awarded in a timely fashion.

Curriculum

Two distinct curricula are offered in alternate summers. The curriculum for 2012 will include:

Preparing for and facilitating High Holy Day Worship
Conducting baby namings
Writing and delivering divrei Torah
Visiting the sick and homebound

Participants may begin their studies in either year. Additional study topics covered may include Torah and Commentaries; Midrash; Talmud; Israel; Tikkun Olam; Holiday Observances and Education. Seminar participants will increase their Jewish literacy through study with some of the Reform Movement’s most distinguished scholars.

Housing

Housing for Had'rachah is available at the HUC-JIR dormitories or the Kingsgate Marriott Conference Center at the University of Cincinnati. We will provide daily transportation between the Kingsgate Marriott and HUC-JIR. The program officially begins at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 8th and will conclude by 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 12th.

Application

Admission to the program is open to all members in good standing of a Union for Reform Judaism congregation.

Each applicant to the Had’rachah Seminar should meet the following criteria:

Exhibit a positive Jewish identity and involvement with Jewish life
Have the ability to study primary Jewish texts in English
Be capable of reading prayer-book Hebrew
Possess good interpersonal and leadership skills
Be an active member of a Union for Reform Judaism congregation

In order for a candidate to be considered for admission to this program, we must receive the following:

A completed Application Form
A Letter of Acknowledgment signed by the congregation’s president and the congregation’s rabbi/cantor, if there is one
A signed copy of a B’rit/Covenantal Agreement
After we receive the completed forms, we will contact applicants to schedule a telephone interview—the last step of the application process. Following the telephone interview, confirmation of participation will be sent by email.

Cost

The tuition for the program is $570 (in U.S. dollars) and includes all materials as well as lunch and dinner daily. Several housing options are available and prices are commensurate with individual selection. Transportation costs to and from Cincinnati are not included.

Participants may apply for a grant from the Small Congregations Resource Fund, which is available to members of congregations with 250 membership units or less. More information and a Small Congregations Resource Fund Grant Application are available from the Union for Reform Judaism Ida and Howard Wilkoff Department of Synagogue Management.