RJ Blog

by Jim Cherney I had the great pleasure to participate in the Beutel Seminar in Israel for 10 days in January. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the program, it is an education/ enrichment seminar sponsored by the Saltz Education Center of the World Union for Progressive Judaism.  Reform and Progressive Jews from throughout the world can apply to the program which is held in the first quarter every year in Israel. For participants, the cost is subsidized by a generous sustaining gift from Austin and Nani Beutel of Toronto; the program is only one example of their [...]

by Larry Kaufman In reading Noah Nesin’s recent post on his Jewish leadership journey (not linked because reprinted below in italics), I kept wanting to interrupt and say, “That’s so right,” or “You’re right, but…” or, “No, I have a different perspective.”  My reaction was probably heightened by my own journey being so parallel to his – up the congregational ladder to the presidency, transitioning into the Reform Movement’s leadership structure both regionally and nationally, and also traveling the country facilitating temple board workshops.  But when two people always agree, the saying goes, one of them is superfluous – so [...]

by Rabbi Wendi Geffen Much of the 20-30 year old Jewish population described instudies finds the synagogue unappealing because, in their minds, it translates toan institutional culture that previously proved unable to address their variedneeds/beliefs/values as individuals.  Assuch, not only is the future of synagogue affiliation a problem, but the dearthof an enduring line of synagogue leadership proves, in many ways, an evenlarger obstacle.  In early 2011, NorthShore Congregation Israel (NSCI) in suburban Chicago was awarded a URJIncubator Grant to create a program to address these challenges. B&B (Beyond and Back) is NSCI’s multi-facetedvalues and leadership development program for Jewish [...]

by Larry Kaufman I believe that developing one’s Jewish heart, mind and soul through learning, practice, prayer and posture are vital elements in the mix [of synagogue leadership].                                             — Rabbi Donald R. Berlin In a pair of recent posts in this forum, here and here, I discussed the reasonable expectations of what a synagogue leader might expect in return for his or her service on a congregation’s board, having framed my list in response to the often-addressed question of what the obligations of the board member are to the congregation.  Rabbi Donald Berlin, rabbi emeritus of Oheb Shalom in [...]

Shortly after arriving in Israel a few weeks back, I had the privilege of welcoming a few busloads of our teens to Jerusalem. Blindfolded, they stepped off their buses holding hands, moving slowly towards the edge of the Haas Promenade that overlooks the Temple Mount in the center of Jerusalem, a spot some have called the axis mundi, the place where heaven and earth touch.  Just days before, these Reform Jewish teens had left their homes in North America and traveled to Eastern Europe where they stood together at Auschwitz and Birkenau contemplating the darkest moment in all of human [...]

by Rabbi Jonah Pesner Transitions are exciting because they are full of possibility; yet they cause anxiety because by nature there are unknowns. Transitions celebrate what was and what will yet be; but they also cause grief for what is lost and is now gone. As Rabbi Eric Yoffie approaches retirement, and Rabbi Rick Jacobs prepares to assume the presidency of the Union for Reform Judaism, we cannot ignore the tension in such a transition. It is like Havdalah, the ritual separating Shabbat from the coming week. With the extinguishing of the flame, we let go of a week gone [...]

by Larry Kaufman A task that frequently falls on synagogue leaders is presenting a d’var Torah, and many of us, I’m sure, start our preparation at Google.  You type in the name of the parasha, and up comes Wikipedia, followed by links to many divrei Torah.  You used to have to feel Torah-literate to give a d’var.  Today, you need only be computer-literate.  So I started this d’var by typing Matot.  Instead of the usual suspects, up came www.matot.com, a commercial elevator company, an appropriate coincidence for a parasha that shows the ups and downs of leadership.     The parasha [...]

by Noah NesinCongregation Beth El, Bangor Maine So I’ve been asked to blog about my “Jewish leadership journey”.  I suppose I should start with a disclaimer: I have viscerally negative reaction to the term “Jewish leadership journey”. I’m sure it’s my issue, but it seems too contrived and too isolated, as if everything else that occurs in one’s life does not dramatically impact all aspects of that life.  Having said that this is a blog, with a premium on brevity, so let’s get on with it. I have followed the traditional route of leader in my own congregation, serving in [...]

by Larry Kaufman In a previous post, I talked about what rights  and expectations you have,  in return for serving on your temple board.  Most people will reply that they don’t expect anything other than the satisfaction of giving back, that working for a worthwhile cause like their temple makes them feel good, and that’s all they need.While those replies are typically offered sincerely, there are unspoken expectations, and those unspoken expectations are legitimate and important.  The temple owes you more than personal “warm fuzzies.” You have a right to be recognized. Whether it’s a listing on a letterhead, or [...]

by Stephen G. Gordon, Esq.URJ Board Workshop FacilitatorScarsdale Synagogue Temples Tremont and Emanuel, Scarsdale, NY Does God’s hand anoint, or do men assert their leadership? Do we get the leaders we deserve or those we need? Whether secular or religious, lay or professional, on the world stage or at the local level, leaders make a profound difference in our lives. Our lives change because of the leaders we are and the leaders we follow. Thoughtful, attentive, and effective leaders yield ripe fruit. Stagnation, loss and the degradation of our lives and institutions follow hard upon poor leadership. These questions, then, [...]