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

I can't believe only 24 hours have passed since my last post - it seems like 3 days! Yesterday was so full - an amazing workshop on "taking the ik out of Mikveh", spotlighting various models (mikveh in a reform temple, in a community educational center, in nature). I heard powerful stories of personal and communal transformation ; it really made me wonder how I might bring this practice into my own life.

Michelle Citrin, up-and-coming musician, stopped by the Biennial Press Room late last night to play a song and talk about music, Jewish music and artistic expression. Press the play button to listen into the live version of her hit song “Who I Am” and a conversation on what makes an artist a Jewish artist.

Reverend Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback Church, in Lake Forest, California took part in a dialogue this evening with Rabbi Laura Geller of Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills and Rabbi David Wolpe of Sinai Temple, Los Angeles moderator by Ron Wolfson, co-founder of Synagogue 3000. This discussion is a must hear for anyone looking to learn how to create and sustain a meaningful community of faith in today’s world. Click on the play button to listen to the entire conversation.

By Barbara Shuman

I joined over 200 delegates at the Meditation Schacharit service this morning (one of 4 options). It was a vivid reminder of the wide range of worship possibilites in our movement. Last night's maariv service was joyous, loud, jazzy and hot. This morning was also joyful, but in a quiet, contemplative and cool way. We were guided to follow our breath , a constant reminder of the Divine ruach that God breathes into us in every moment.

By Barbara Shuman

Wow, what a day! Overnight the convention center has filled with folks from 49 states and 14 countries, representing over 500 congregations. I've met people for the first time, and renewed friendships with others from the near and distant past. How wonderful to get reacquainted with someone who was in my confirmation class 46 years ago (!), people I studied with at Union Kallot, rabbis who formerly served each of the congregations I have belonged to as an adult... the list goes on.

The energy here is palpable and tonight it reached a new high. The experimental maariv service was over the top! The room was overflowing (standing room only!) with folks of all ages - from a toddler just learning to walk, to men and women leaning on canes for support.

Music is everywhere at the Biennial, from plenary sessions to the URJ Books and Music Stage, our Shabbat worship to late night gatherings. It takes a lot of planning to be sure that the melodies and music that is prepared for the convention’s worship services is new and fresh, and much of that responsibility falls to Cantor Alane Katzew, director of Music Programming at the Union. Click on the play button to listen to the musical conversation.