Larry Glickman, FTA, (he/him) is the director of Congregational Shared Services for the Union for Reform Judaism. Larry manages the Reform Movement Marketplace website where congregations can access meaningful discounts on products and services that play a role in their day to day operations, and The Tent which is the communication and collaboration platform for lay and professional leaders in the Reform Movement.
Prior to joining the URJ in 2013, Larry worked as a synagogue executive director for 10 years, and served as a board member and officer for the National Association for Temple Administration.
With a little planning, and maybe a little help from technology, we can make our work and our organizations more transparent, enabling us to collaborate more effectively for a healthy, strong congregation.
The Tent is your framework; it is your keva. Use the technology and its best practices as your guide. You will receive the greatest benefit from The Tent, however when you bring real and meaningful kavanah – your curiosity, your creativity and your passion.
The inverse of a family choosing to join one congregation is that they don’t join the temple down the street or on the other side of town. As a result, our congregations often find themselves competing for every new member in the area.