Hadrachah: Supporting Spiritual Life in Small Congregations

hands holding prayer books at a Reform Jewish service

The Hadrachah program is intended for small congregations with no more than one full-time clergy member.

The URJ's Hadrachah (which means leadership) program teaches lay leaders a variety of skills to help them support communal worship, and lifecycle events. Participants in the Hadrachah program may use these skills in various ways-by serving a congregation that has no clergy, or by assisting their congregational clergy member, and in many other respects.

Hadrachah launches in April 2024 with a 6-session interactive and relational online learning experience:

Wednesdays, April 3, 10,17, & 24 and May 1 & 8 from 8 - 9:15 PM ET

Tiered program pricing begins at $180, with scholarships are available for members from small congregations with 150 households and fewer.

The sessions are aimed at providing resources, materials, and support for lay leaders who lead Shabbat worship and general life cycle events. This is not a "clergy training" program. Instead, it is designed to enhance and strengthen the confidence and skills of leaders leading worship and spiritual experiences.

What's New

Conferences and Events

an image of a group of people at the URJ 150th celebration

Honoring the Past, Looking to the Future: A Recap of the URJ’s 150th Anniversary Celebration

January 4, 2024

In December 2023, nearly 1,000 leaders gathered in Washington, D.C. to honor the URJ's 150 th anniversary, reflect on our Movement's inspiring history in North America, and recommit to our mission.

Conferences and Events

an image of a group of people singing with their arms around each other at Biennial

Why Gather? Celebrating URJ’s 150th Together

August 30, 2023

The time has arrived for the Union for Reform Judaism and the Reform Movement to gather in person once again, and there is no more perfect time than our 150 th anniversary.

Hadrachah Seminar

Worship That Works: Supporting Spiritual Life in Small Congregations through Hadrachah

November 3, 2022

The URJ's Hadrachah (which means leadership) program teaches lay leaders a variety of skills to help them support and lead communal worship and lifecycle events like funerals and baby namings. The Hadrachah program is intended for small congregations with no more than one full-time clergy member.