You Don’t Have to Lead Alone: Join a Presidents Network

Serving as the president of a congregation is sacred work. It is enriching, it "feels good" and most of the time we love the experience of being a president. At the same time, it sometimes presents challenges. Serving as president requires us to use many different skill sets. You are making complex decisions, navigating relationships, creating financial strategies, and more, all while trying to lead your community. The role of the president is sometimes challenging, but what if you didn't have to do it alone?

The URJ's Presidents Networks are small groups of current and incoming Reform congregational presidents, who gather as peers and who truly understand the unique opportunities and challenges of congregational leadership. These small groups of fellow presidents are designed for you to share openly, ask questions, and brainstorm using each other's experiences. Each group also includes a coach, who is one of our trained URJ lay leaders and often a former temple president themselves, who can help guide your group's meaningful conversation and even empower the group to think through possible solutions.

As one recent participant, Hope Sachwald, President of Temple Shalom of Myrtle Beach, SC, has shared, "Having this group as my sacred partners, being able to speak freely and brainstorm together has been beyond special."

These groups meet monthly for the span of one year, but in the years of running these networks, I have watched the camaraderie grow from having a small group of critical friends who can relate to your experience as congregational president. That sense of partnership and not carrying the weight of leadership alone is at the heart of the Presidents Network.

The Presidents Network is open to incoming and current congregational presidents who are looking for connection, perspective, and support during their congregational leadership journey. A new cohort of Presidents Networks will launch in June 2026, and we invite you to be a part of it.

Don't think you have the time? According to Hope, presidents should make the time. "For a one hour, once a month commitment, the benefits have been beyond measure."

To be part of the June 2026 Presidents Network Cohort complete the Presidents Network Intake Form.