Blog

Celebrating Rosh Chodesh in Your Congregation

Cantor Annice M. Benamy

Rosh Chodesh means “head of the month.”  When the new moon appears, the first of each Jewish month begins. In contemporary practice, Rosh Chodesh celebrations begin theShabbat before the new month with the Rosh Chodesh prayer at the conclusion of the Torah reading. 

The Ripple Effects of Meaningful Peer-to-Peer Mentorship

Rabbi Laura Novak Winer, RJE

When I recently asked a group of colleagues to help me think about examples from pop culture in which teens mentor other teens, we found it surprisingly difficult to come up with genuine examples.

5 Innovative Ways to Engage Young Adults in Jewish Life

Lisa Lieberman Barzilai, RJE

It’s no secret that engaging millennials in congregational life requires innovative and creative thinking. While former generations of American Jews engaged in congregational life in traditional ways, today’s Jewish young adults in their 20s and 30s want to craft their own Jewish journeys.

8 Great Reasons to Attend the Biennial

Jan Marion, Raymond Capelouto, and Luise Mann Burger

With an eye on the quickly approaching September 10th early bird registration deadline, we’re delighted to offer eight excellent reasons for you and your fellow congregational leaders to attend the URJ Biennial 2015 from November 4-8 at the award-winning Marriott World Center in Orlando, FL.

Get Your Teens To Teach Torah

Rabbi Mark Kaiserman

At 17-years-old, Joseph is one of the only identified teenagers in the Torah. Joseph is a complicated teen with a fierce rivalry with his brothers and a love of clothing. 

Sliding into Fall: Successful Transitions

Miriam Chilton

With the end of summer approaching and the high holidays just around the corner, it can feel like a moment of transition from our extraordinary summer lives – vacation, camp, and family time – to our ordinary lives – work, school, and busy schedules for

6 Ways to Make Everyone Feel Comfortable at Worship Services

Rabbi David Fine
How can congregations make their worship experience welcoming to prospective members and visitors? Attendees addressed that question in a recent workshop at the URJ’s Hadrachah Seminar, where lay leaders of small congregations gathered to learn to lead worship services and certain lifecycle events in order to strengthen their congregations.