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!

Reslolutions were debated and approved and more will be on tap at the plenary on Sunday morning.

Kabbalat Shabbat was, as it always is at Biennial, a magical and spiritual experience. For the first time, the service opened with a Sephardic ritual of marching in the Torahs under a Chupah. The Union honored Shirley and me as well as the three San Diego/Orange County local arrangement chairs as chuppah holders. It was a thrilling and outstanding experience. After services, everyone (well, hopefully everyone!) enjoyed a relaxing Shabbat dinner followed by a rousing song session.

Shabbat dawned bright and sunny in San Diego and the day was off to an early start with Torah study breakfasts, followed by Shabbat services with Rabbi Yoffie's call to action on making Saturday Shabbat more meaningful, creating dialogue with the Muslim community and working on health care reform. The Shabbat lunch study sessions were extremely well attended and informative.

And, this brings us to 3 p.m. on Shabbat afternoon. One more blog tomorrow and the Jay and Shirley report will enter the annals of Biennial history!!