Press the play button below to hear Dr. Ingrid Mattson, president of the Islamic Society of North America, address the Biennial on Sunday December 16, 2007. (Read the text here.)

On behalf of our local arrangements committee and the almost 600
volunteers from our 10 host synagogues in San Diego and Orange County who
worked almost 800 three-hour shifts throughout the week at the Biennial, we
want to wish each one of you, a n'siah tovah, safe travels back to your
homes.

Dr. Ingrid Mattson, president of the Islamic Society of North America addressed the Union's Biennial this morning. The text is below. The audio version is online here.

Good morning and greetings of peace from the members of the Islamic Society of North America.

It is a great honor to have this opportunity to speak to the members of the Union for Reform Judaism at this wonderful convention.

Almost four months ago, Rabbi Yoffie stood in front of a general audience of attendees at the 44rth annual convention of the Islamic Society of North America, the organization of which I have been President since 2006. Our membership is diverse: it includes Muslims with origins from all parts of the world, men and women from different schools of thought and practice within Islamic tradition. We are an umbrella organization for Muslim individuals and organizations who wish to identify with and contribute to a larger vision of what it means to be a Muslim in North America, and who cooperate to develop strategies for achieving that vision. In the 44 years since we held our first convention, our umbrella has expanded and the voices included in dialogue have diversified: more women, more scholars representing different schools of Islamic thought, both modern and traditionalist, as well as leaders from other religious traditions.

Rabbi Eric H. Yoffie delievered this address during the Shabbat Morning Service of the 69th Biennial Convention. See the "Quick Links" for more information.

Shabbat shalom. Once again, I find myself overwhelmed by the power of this day. Here we are, united with men and women from many congregations but of one faith, bound together by our mutual sacred task. Our spirits soar when we join in the chorus of nearly 5,000 voices intoning the prayers of Shabbat.

There is a magical quality to Shabbat at Biennial. When we ask our delegates what was their most powerful experience during their five days here, the great majority say “Shabbat.” We treasure these twenty-four hours together, because, for once, we celebrate Shabbat as it is meant to be—a respite from errand running and clattering commerce, a day when we pay attention to the holy and the pull of Jewish time.

We also treasure the fiery enthusiasm of our Shabbat t’filot. Supporting one another in our prayers, we experience together an outpouring of soul, transporting us into the embrace of God. Of course, it was not always so. For most of our history, delegates came to the Biennial to debate and deliberate but not to pray. At our Biennials, as in many of our congregations, prayer was often boring and lifeless.

But then, more than a dozen years ago, we began a Movement-wide conversation about worship. Focusing our attention on Friday evening, we undertook to create services that were heartfelt, inspiring and community-building. And we succeeded. The glory of Reform Judaism has always been its ability to reinvent itself to meet new spiritual situations, and we did exactly that. In a mere handful of years, our Erev Shabbat services were radically transformed, changing from somber to joyful and from passive to engaging.

By Barbara Shuman

We’re out of the closet! Over 4000 Reform Jews observed a 24 hour Shabbat at the Biennial. What a wild and beautiful day we had – filled with music, prayer, learning and dance. Yes – we were dancing in the aisles, praying with our feet, celebrating with all our limbs. And we were challenged and charged by Eric Yoffie to commit to a fuller observance of Shabbat when we return to our homes. We go home with a full deck (52 cards – one for each week of the year) of suggestions for transforming Shabbat into a special day. The Shabbat initiative has the potential to transform each of us, our congregations, the Reform movement. It will be very interesting to hear reports of our experience at the 2009 Biennial in Toronto.

So, here we are - Last day, time to pack, time to head home. This has been a remarkable event - for me, of course, and more importantly for you. Last night's tribute to Debbie Friedman with a performance by Joshua Nelson and his group absolutely brought the house down! I had never heard Joshua Nelson before and let me tell you, it was an experience - Jewish Gospel! If you're reading this and didn't have a chance to attend the Biennial, find a CD of his - you will be wowed.

By Rabbi Phyllis Sommer

I write this in my cab home from OHare airport at 1am Chicago time. The weather sure is different here! But so is the feeling of being back in the real world. It's a little like leaving camp - going from being surrounded by Jews and wearing a nametag to being a little (okay a lot) more anonymous. I was sad to have to leave early but glad I was able to hear Eric Yoffie's sermon this morning. What a remarkable man he is. I feel so blessed and safe with him as our fearless leader. I look forward to rereading his sermon when it is posted online and sharing it with my congregation. The Biennial was great - buzzing with energy and life and friends who are like family. May blessings follow each and every one of us as we travel in safety back to our homes. Signing off for now but please continue to visit me at my regular blogs: imabima.blogspot.com and rabbiphyllis.blogspot.com. Shavua tov and see you in Toronto!

As of 9:40 AM on Saturday, Biennial Jane has walked 6560 steps. That is just shy of three miles...with one more meal to finish up (the Shabbat Study Lunches) Biennial Jane may have walked a full marathon!

As the week progressed, the blog has been written later and later - a very typical occurrence for the Biennial. Friday was a magical day - starting with Rabbi Yoffie introducing outgoing Union Board Chair Robert Heller and Bob's stirring remarks about this tenure as Board Chair. Following on Bob's remarks, Rabbis Peter Rubinstein of Central Synagogue, New York and Josh Davidson of Temple Beth El of Northern Westchester, Chappaqua, New York presented a Eisendrath Bearer of Light award to Michael J Fox who spoke eloquently about his battle with Parkinson's disease, his close connection to the Reform movement and his hopes for the future. The afternoon brought us a speech from Jeffrey Sachs, Diretor of the Earth Institute who was honored with the second Eisendrath award. Professor Sachs spoke eloquently and passionately about eradicating hunger and poverty and the Nothing But Nets Initiative to help eradicate malaria in third world countries. His presentation was riveting!

Listen into a live recording from the stage of the Shabbat Song Session from San Diego. Press the play button to hear the energy and feel the excitement of the evening.