Congregational Life

Building Vibrant Congregations and Strong Communities

The Union for Reform Judaism helps congregations and communities stay adept and agile, which enables them to proactively meet members' needs and expand the ways in which people live Jewishly. 

We develop leaders to face today’s adaptive challenges and nurture innovation to be responsive to changing needs. We also connect leaders to each other so they can learn from each other’s experience, and we provide services that lower the cost of congregational operations. When needed, we provide personalized support for congregations in transition and crisis.

Through the URJ's work with congregations, we further our other priorities of investing in the Jewish future, deepening Jewish learning and experiences, repairing the world, welcoming all, and connecting with Israel.

Amy Asin, URJ Vice President, Strengthening Congregations, speaking at URJ Biennial 2019.

What's New

Strengthening Congregations

Laptop sitting on a wooden surface displaying the newly redesigned URJ website

Announcing the Relaunch of the URJ’s Websites

September 15, 2020

In addition to the creative, original content that you already know and love, our new sites also offer various upgrades in the way of user experience, accessibility, technology, and more.

Early Childhood Education

Three pane window with a rainbow fingerprinted onto it and facing the outdoors

Early Childhood Education Centers on the Brink: Coming Together to Address Crisis

September 15, 2020

Although the pandemic has not altered the overall mission of our sacred work – to engage the next generation of families with young children on their Jewish journey – it has further amplified our sense of urgency and is helping to redefine and clarify our goals and priorities.

COVID-19

Aerial view of people standing spaced apart with line connecting them as if to represent connectivity despite distance

Examining New COVID-19 Data from Reform Congregations: Engagement is Up, Finances are Challenged

September 15, 2020

Ninety-three percent of respondents from Reform synagogue members would recommend their synagogue to a friend - even during the COVID-19 pandemic, while synagogue programming isn't physically happening in the building.

Moving the Leading Edge: A Resource & Discussion Guide to Move Congregations Forward

Written by experts, URJ staff, and congregational leaders who are doing innovative work, this series of guides provides inspiration for innovation, featuring articles and prompts for reflective conversations Available in three volumes: