Daryl Messinger

Daryl Messinger, chair of the North American board of trustees of the Union for Reform Judaism, has served on the URJ board for 15 years and in Reform Movement affiliated organizations in a wide variety of roles. A dynamic leader with a track record of sustained involvement and success, she has recently concluded her service as chair of the Reform Pension Board, which serves Reform Movement professionals and has a total portfolio of more than $1.2 billion.

She has been a key partner in helping to implement the URJ’s Campaign for Youth Engagement and in shaping the URJ’s 2020 Vision strategic plan. She previously served as chair for URJ Camp Newman's advisory board (in Santa Rosa, CA), and as a vice chair and an assistant treasurer of the URJ. 

Messinger’s congregational lay leadership experience is extensive. She served, at the age of 36, as the youngest president of her then 1,100-member congregation, Congregation Beth Am in Los Altos Hills, CA. She has served in a variety of roles there including as treasurer, chair of its capital campaign, chair of the rabbinic search committee, and volunteer coordinator of an innovative family education program.

Ensuring a Bright Future for Reform Judaism No Matter What

Daryl Messinger

“The future is not what it used to be,” said Rabbi Harry Danziger, beginning his Kabbalat Shabbat sermon to the soon-to-be ordinees and graduates of the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion’s (HUC-JIR) Cincinnati campus. Sometimes attributed to Yogi Berra (though his grammar was not as eloquent as Rabbi Danziger’s) this statement is an apt and useful expression to consider as the Reform Movement welcomes the newest class of rabbis, educators, cantors, scholars and professionals.

Looking for Leadership Training? The Scheidt Seminar is the Best!

Daryl Messinger

For nearly 20 years, I have heard from congregational presidents about how the Union for Reform Judaism’s (URJ) Scheidt Seminar prepared them for their presidency and how it literally transformed their approach to synagogue leadership. Last weekend I experienced the “Scheidt Effect” firsthand. It is an example of truly outstanding leadership training.