Related Blog Posts on Education, Strengthening Congregations, and Jewish Values

Hands on a keyboard with a seder plate on the computer screen
Marketing & Communications

Digital Content to Enliven Your Passover Seder

URJ staff and Reform Movement partners
 March 30, 2022

You already know how to host a beautiful, profound, and Jewishly meaningful seder. What you may not yet know, though, is how to re-imagine your usual traditions to incorporate digital content that will enliven this year’s virtual rendition of your seder.  

an image of a teacher sitting on a colorful mat with a book in her hands and three toddlers sitting in front of her
Education

Showing Congregational Educators That You Value Their Work

Lisa Langer, RJE
Rachel Margolis, RJE
 September 7, 2023
Just like some of the employees that are spotlighted in Undercover Boss, congregational educators do work that is critical, yet often underappreciated and undervalued for their impact on the community and their role in vibrant congregations.
person taking a survey on a laptop
Congregational Benefits & Services

The URJ Pulse+ Survey Can Elevate Your Story

Barak Malkin
 May 4, 2023
The URJ Pulse Survey and the newly expanded URJ Pulse+ Survey showed that participating congregations were experiencing similar trends. Having the ability to compare your data with that of other URJ congregations will paint a picture that will help you assess where you are and share a more detailed story with your congregants and donors.
a hand pressing a button on a laptop
books

Reviving Synagogue Communities Using Smart Tech

Allison Fine
Beth Kanter
 September 29, 2022
Email and other technologies are a huge factor in why employees feel like they're always on the clock. This "always-on" culture accelerated while synagogues began facing declining membership before the pandemic and has only intensified since. Even if clergy or staff are cut, the work demands don't decrease. As a result, remaining clergy or staff or volunteers are even more overwhelmed and are burning out at alarming rates.
Plowed green wheat field beneath a blue sky and rolling clouds
Leadership Development

Lead Your Board Through Self-Reflection for the High Holidays

Amy Asin
 September 6, 2022
On the Jewish calendar, the start of the month of Elul signifies the beginning of the High Holiday season. As individuals, it is during this time that we begin the process of cheshbon hanefesh (accounting of the soul), reflecting on the past year. So too, it is important for your leadership and community to reflect on the past year and consider how to do better moving forward.