B'nai Mitzvah

Five Lessons Learned: How the URJ’s Communities of Practice Strengthen Congregations

by Amy Asin and Lisa Lieberman Barzilai Two years ago, the Union for Reform Judaism launched its Communities of Practice (CoP) initiative. We began with five separate cohorts, comprising lay and professional leaders from congregations throughout North America:
  • Pursuing Excellence in Your Early Childhood Centers
  • Engaging Families with Young Children
  • Engaging Young Adults
  • Reimagining Financial Support
  • Revolutionizing B’nai Mitzvah Engagement
During the course of 18-24 months and with guidance from URJ staff, each cohort came together to learn from experts in the field and from each other, ask big questions, and share ideas and best practices. Leaders from nearly 90 congregations participated in the five inaugural CoPs, and more than 75% of them have since launched pilots to apply newfound knowledge in their own communities. Throughout the process, we developed significant intellectual capital, and gained important insights about how CoPs strengthen and enrich congregations. Here are five important lessons learned.
B'nai Mitzvah

An Intergenerational Shabbat Experience: Experimenting Toward Our Future

The Journal of Youth Engagement is an online forum of ideas and dialogue for those committed to engaging youth in vibrant Jewish life and living. Join the discussion and become a contributor. By Cantor Chanin Becker, Rabbi Jeffrey Brown and Rabbi Wendy Pein The community we are privileged to serve, Scarsdale Synagogue Temples Tremont and Emanu-El (SSTTE), is in a time of transition.  In 2012, our longtime Senior Rabbi became Rabbi Emeritus and in 2013, our longtime temple Educator retired.  As a new clergy team, we have spent the last year listening to laypeople and collaborating on values-based goal-setting as we plan for our future. One area that has emerged as a priority is Shabbat worship.
B'nai Mitzvah