Blog

by Amy Asin and Rabbi Esther L. Lederman On May 5^th, the URJ will launch applications for a new set of Communities of Practice (CoPs). Topics will include:

• Building a Brand: Excellence in Reform Movement Early Childhood Engagement
• Creating Connected Communities for Families with Young Children (for congregations without Early Childhood Centers)
• Strengthening Israel Engagement in your Congregation
• Pursuing Justice: Becoming a Community of Action (with the Religious Action Center)
• Finding the Sacred in the Mundane: Reimagining Financial Support
• Engaging Congregants: Small Groups With Meaning

Rabbi Rick Jacobs, president of the Union for Reform Judaism, published an op-ed today in Haaretz titled “Strength and humility: the key to defending the Jewish State.” He writes,

It would be all too easy to spend Yom Hazikaron (Memorial Day) and Yom Haatzmaut

“The Scheidt Seminar for Congregational Presidents and President-Elects seminar was one of the most meaningful professional development experiences of my entire career....Not only was this an inspiring leadership development experience, but it was a meaningful Jewish experience as well. By praying and studying together, my fellow presidents and presidents-elect formed a connection that links us back to the very roots of our spiritual heritage.” – Congregational President, Bet Shalom, Minnetonka, MN

What does it mean to be a leader, and how does one learn to be a great leader? Whether you’re born into leadership or rise through the ranks, leadership comes with certain responsibilities. In our congregations, all leaders are responsible for ensuring that individuals feel that they matter and are connected to the core values of the community. Indeed, being a congregational leader is different than being a leader within a corporation, or even another non-profit organization. How? Considering these differences is vital for all those who assume leadership positions in our congregations, because what we do in our congregations is sacred and holy work. The ways we approach and interact with each another and the community we create together has both practical and spiritual dimensions. This duality is present in the work of congregational leaders at all levels – from the new committee chair getting involved for the very first time to the seasoned veteran who has “done it all” at the congregation.

Membership specialists and committee chairs will tell you the three tenets of congregational membership are recruitment, integration/engagement, and retention.

Rabbi Rick Jacobs, president of the Union for Reform Judaism, published an op-ed today in the Washington Post titled “Go ahead and debate the Middle East at your Passover Seder.” He writes,

Millions of people around the world — including President Obama and

By Dani Robbins My career has taken me to multiple cities in several states, and each time I’ve moved, I’ve looked for a new religious home by calling around to local synagogues.

This speech was given tonight at the JStreet Conference in Washington, D.C. We gather at a pivotal moment in the history of Israel. It is precisely at such a time that the North American Jewish community is in desperate need of an open, honest and serious conversation about the Jewish state. I believe that this 5^th J Street conference is fertile ground for such dialogue. Hear the words of the poet Yehuda Amichai: “From the place where we are right, flowers will never grow in the spring...” But doubts and loves dig up the world like a mole, a plow.” Indeed, righteous certainty leads to closed -mindedness and stalemate; self-doubt and love open up real possibilities for peace. So let us voice our differences and speak our minds without casting aspersions upon each other’s motivations, aspirations and ahavat yisrael—love of Israel.

“Audacious hospitality isn’t just a temporary act of kindness so people don’t feel excluded. It’s an ongoing invitation to be part of community – and a way to spiritually transform ourselves in the process.” – Rabbi Rick Jacobs, president of the Union for Reform Judaism

It’s not always easy to offer the sort of “audacious hospitality” Rabbi Jacobs encourages, but many Reform congregations are rising to the challenge. These exceptional congregations excel at welcoming seekers and engaging prospective and current members – and the URJ is looking for the ones that do it best. Once again this year, we’ll honor eight congregations with Belin Outreach and Membership Awards for creative, original, and outstanding initiatives that promote audacious hospitality. From now through May 21, your congregation can submit an application for a 2015 Belin Outreach and Membership Award. Winning congregations will receive a $1,000 cash award and will be recognized at the URJ Biennial in Orlando, FL, in November.

Over the past few years I have had the pleasure of hosting A Taste of Judaism® classes at Congregation Beth Elohim in Brooklyn, N.Y. The first time was at a local restaurant; the second was in the synagogue building. Over the course of teaching this class, I have learned a number of important lessons and have seen many benefits. When it works, here is what congregations and participants can get out of the class.