Leadership Boot Camp: A Clean Page, Infinite Possibilities

Today, I saw my first back-to-school advertisement of the year. During the sunny days of summer, I could not believe that right there in front of me was a reminder that the carefree days of summer are limited and that life would soon be returning to "business as usual."

Ironically, I have always liked getting ready for a new school year (and, later, a new semester). I always felt there was so much promise and possibility. To be totally vulnerable, the new uncracked and unmarked notebooks only reinforced that excitement.

What would it look like if we applied that mindset of possibility to our work as leaders? How do we approach leadership like a blank notebook page? How do we generate excitement about our work as Reform leaders?

This year, the URJ is proud to once again bring Reform Movement leaders together for the URJ Leadership Boot Camp. On Sunday, October 26, hundreds of people from different facets of Reform Jewish life will gather online for great learning and motivate each other to amp up our terrific work.

When you come to the URJ Leadership Boot Camp, you can:

• Receive unbelievable learning that sets you up for success
  You will have three one-hour blocks for workshops that cover a huge variety of leadership topics. Many of these workshops will give you the building blocks to uncover your full leadership potential, like:
  • How do I craft a meeting agenda that gets the job done, doesn't drag on, and inspires people?
  • How do congregational finances really work?
  • What is the URJ? Why are there so many acronyms?
  • How do I continue to advance my community' equity efforts?
  • How can I help keep my community safe as we deal with rising antisemitism?
  • What are some principles for fundraising in times of crisis?

Our website is being constantly updated; we will let you know as key sessions are added.

• Network with leaders from diverse experiences and backgrounds
  The URJ Leadership Boot Camp is open to anyone interested in learning new skills. We will have people from communities of all sizes, from all different demographics, and who have taken different paths in their leadership journeys. This year, we will also welcome teen leaders and URJ Camp lay leadership. The Leadership Boot Camp is a wonderful opportunity for you, board members, committee members, and up-and-coming leaders to participate in a day of great learning.
   
• Find a study group
  Chevruta is the traditional practice of learning with a partner. What if you banded together with a fellow leader or a group of people to "divide and conquer" the sessions you are most interested in? You could each attend different sessions, take notes, and share what you learned with each other.
  
  As an incentive, if your community sends a minimum of 10 people or 80% of your board, you will be entitled to have a URJ-trained facilitator conduct a 90-minute debrief with your group and craft collective next steps.
   
• Understand your community in a broader context
  The URJ Leadership Boot Camp only lasts one day, but it can be a starting point for taking advantage of all that the URJ offers during the year. Learning with and from other congregational leaders, URJ staff, URJ Camp leaders, and teens is amazing. Together, we are so much stronger.

As we plan for the year, it is time to take out fresh notebooks and start writing. Let's plan for a year filled with community, productivity, and success. We look forward to you joining us online on October 26 at the URJ Leadership Boot Camp!

Register for the Fall 2025 URJ Leadership Boot Camp today. For more information about this outstanding program, please visit the URJ Leadership Boot Camp website.