Listening Leads to Oneness: Building Vibrant Jewish Communities

Judaism's foundational prayer, the Sh'ma, begins with an imperative: "Listen!" Just that word alone is a powerful call. Listening is not an easy thing to do. More than the simple act of hearing, true listening requires us to open ourselves up to another's experience so that heart touches heart and we are changed. It is, in philosopher Martin Buber's framework, what allows us to develop anI-thou, rather than an I-it, relationship. Buber describes listening as "something we do with our full selves by sensing and feeling what another is trying to convey so that, together, we can remove the barrier between us."

The URJ's North American Congregation Services & Community Vibrancy (CSCV) team is committed to listening to and learning from you - our lay and professional leaders - as we work together to continue building a dynamic network of Jewish communities that reflect the diversity of our Movement and models our values. 

As we listen to our URJ congregational leaders in conversations about what makes a Jewish community vibrant, we see key themes emerge. Many leaders emphasize three essential components: visionary leadership, adaptability, and a strong sense of community. We wanted to share some highlights of how the URJ adds value and partners with congregations in our network to enhance community vibrancy and empower leaders.

Visionary Leadership

Strong leadership is the backbone of a thriving Jewish community. Visionary leaders inspire, guide, and cultivate sustainable growth. They do this by fostering collaboration, embracing innovation, and adapting to their congregation's evolving needs. The URJ equips congregational leaders with the Tent, a dynamic platform to connect, share insights, and navigate Leadership and Governance challenges. Through the Presidents Network, the Conference of Presidents, and the annual Scheidt Seminar, congregational presidents and presidents-elect build relationships, strengthen governance, and enhance their skills.

Adaptability

In a rapidly changing world, vibrant communities must be flexible and open to embracing new approaches to worship, education, and engagement while staying rooted in Jewish tradition. Congregations that evolve with the needs of their members remain dynamic and compelling. For the first time, the URJ is working with top consultants to provide leaders with a unique opportunity to work with other congregations through Consulting Cohorts to find solutions to high-level challenges. We also provide Board & Leadership Workshops with trained facilitators to create fantastic educational opportunities, discussion, and action planning to catalyze your leadership.

Community-Centeredness

At the core of a vibrant Jewish community is a commitment to meaningful relationships and collective belonging. Community-centered congregations create spaces of belonging where individuals feel valued, supported, and connected. Whether through shaping sacred partnerships or intergenerational programming, these communities prioritize the well-being of their members. The URJ's Equity Indicator tracks the progress of congregations and other Jewish communities on key measures of creating Communities of Belonging and building anti-oppressive ecosystems.

At the URJ, we are committed to delivering tools and resources for empowering leaders and strengthening Jewish communities across North America. The CSCV team is hard at work listening to find reliable solutions aimed at managing costs and increasing efficiency in operations, governance, and engagement for our congregations, giving you, our sacred partners, more time to focus on your holy work:

• JHR: Manage Human Resources with Ease and Expertise
• URJ Marketplace
• Essential Tools for URJ Congregations
• BoardSource Membership Promotes Healthy, Vibrant Congregations
• Racial Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (REDI) Resources
• RAC | Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism 

The Sh'ma calls on us not merely to listen, but to remember that there is one force of connection uniting us all. Together, we can build a dynamic network of Jewish communities that reflect the diversity of our communities and are deeply rooted in our shared values.