We are gratified to see that these initiatives, as well as others we have undertaken over the past few years, are taking root and flourishing. Wherever we travel we find evidence that Reform Jews are taking their Judaism seriously: in book study groups and at Saturday morning minyanim, in debates about the CCAR's proposed Statement of Principles and in Introduction to Judaism classes, at Shabbat worship, and in religious schools throughout North America.
We have asked you to transform both your congregations and your personal lives, and you have challenged us to help you in that transformation. The leadership of the Union, both professional and lay, is dedicated to meeting that challenge. We hope that you are participating in the dynamic developments now occurring in the Reform movement, a few of which are highlighted in the pages that follow. And we invite you to join us on our spiritual journey. Together, we can renew the power of Sinai and give Reform Judaism ultimate significance, as we build a Jewish future for ourselves and our children.
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Jerome H. Somers
Chairman |
Eric H. Yoffie President |
As the forging of Jewish identity during the formative years is of particular concern, the UAHC is creating new opportunities for our youth to engage in meaningful programs.
The expansion of the UAHC camp network is well underway with the opening two years ago of Camp Newman, in Northern California, serving the steadily expanding Reform presence in the Northwest; the purchase in 1998 of Crane Lake Camp in West Stockbridge, MA; and the recent purchase of Camp George, two hours north of Toronto, to serve Canadian youth. Beds have also been added to camps throughout the system to meet the ever growing demand for a summertime Jewish experience. In addition, the Youth Division is exploring the creation of day camps and other new ways to provide informal summer experiences for Jewish young people.
Adopted by the UAHC Board of Trustees at the Memphis Board meeting last December, the new UAHC Youth Initiative will add significant resources to youth programs for grades 5-12 and help build Jewish identity through integrated formal and informal instruction. The initiative focuses on three broad areas: staff, junior youth group programs for grades 5-8, and new programs to appeal to diverse groups of high school students. The UAHC has committed $500,000-600,000 to fund the initiative in its first year, over and above the $950,000 currently spent on NFTY; an aggressive fundraising campaign has been implemented to further its expansion.
Announcing the effort, UAHC President Rabbi Eric H. Yoffie noted how few Reform youth stay in religious school after bar and bat mitzvah. "We would be far better off if the average child had three years of religious school prior to bar or bat mitzvah and three years of school and youth group afterward," he said.
The program's primary emphasis is on hiring well-trained professionals because, as Rabbi Yoffie pointed out, wherever there is a successful, vibrant congregational youth program, "the starting point in every case is a congregational youth worker who is well-trained and Jewishly knowledgeable -- a professional youth worker who truly knows adolescents."
The efforts to create a more committed Reform Jewry is not limited to youth, however, but is part of the larger effort to increase the level of Jewish literacy and involvement among Jews of all ages. A major component of the adult literacy initiative is the Significant Jewish Books program, which calls on all Reform Jews to read at least four recommended books per year. In response, congregations across North America have initiated book groups, literary breakfasts, and other occasions to gather and discuss Jewish literature.
There were numerous other in-depth study opportunities as well, including the Department of Adult Jewish Growth's study weekends in Florida and Texas; the summer kallot programs at Brandeis, Santa Cruz, and Beloit; and events organized around special interests, such as gourmet food and wine (Sukot in Sonoma), skiing (Slalom Rav), and mountain climbing (Makor). And three new programs are planned for the year 2000: in January, a kallah in Israel; in April, a meditation kallah in Prescott, AZ; and in May, a study mission to Charleston, SC, co-sponsored by the Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives.
While these programs offer opportunities for members to enhance their congregation's life with the skills and knowledge they've learned outside the synagogue setting, the UAHC is also expanding programs designed to strengthen programming in individual synagogues.
Two years ago Rabbi Yoffie asked congregations to institute a Tikkun Leil Shavuot, an intense night of study originally developed by the Kabbalists, in order to expand the celebration of Shavuot from the confirmation class to the entire congregation. This year, more than half of all UAHC congregations used the video, study guide, and other materials prepared by the Commission on Religious Living for the second movement-wide Tikkun Leil Shavuot, which focused on the Book of Ruth.
Lay Torah reader training continued with an accelerated schedule of study opportunities sponsored by the Commission on Synagogue Music. The UAHC also expanded congregant training opportunities through the Outreach Fellows program, in which mentors are trained to work with potential converts; the Para-Rabbinic program, in which lay members are trained to lead worship services, prepare d'vrei Torah, and more; and the new President's Institute, The UAHC Scheidt Seminar, in which newly elected and soon-to-be-elected temple presidents are provided with sophisticated training, made possible through the generosity of Rudi and Honey Scheidt.
All these initiatives, and those that will be unveiled at the Biennial in December, have a single goal in mind: to create a more informed, more involved Reform Jewry, equipped with the knowledge to create vibrant Reform communities throughout North America.
As the hateful rhetoric of some ultra-Orthodox Jews against the justices of the Israeli Supreme Court escalated, many Israelis, including leading intellectuals, expressed their solidarity with Reform Judaism. Author Amos Oz, for one, announced that he had joined our movement.
A cover story in the winter edition of Reform Judaism magazine invited responses to a draft document entitled the "Ten Principles for Reform Judaism," written by Rabbi Richard Levy, president of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, in consultation with members of the Conference. When the issue arrived in members' homes, its cover photo portraying Rabbi Levy kissing the fringes of his tallit, the reaction was swift. In sermons and at board meetings, at formal study sessions and oneg Shabbat conversations, on the Internet and in temple bulletins, honest, open, and sometimes passionate discussion ensued about what distinguishes Reform Judaism from other denominations. Did the early Reformers discard too much ritual? Are "shoulds" and "musts" taboo in our movement? Should Reform Jews keep kosher? Use the mikveh? Make aliyah to Israel? Study Hebrew? The intensity with which the draft was both attacked and supported clearly indicated that Reform Jews were seriously examining their beliefs.
As the CCAR prepares revisions on the fifth draft, now known as the "Statement of Principles," the debate goes on. Is a new Reform platform needed at this time? What should its contents be? One thing is certain, however. By simply raising the questions, Rabbi Levy has invigorated our movement and brought us to an ever deeper understanding of the major religious issues facing us today.
While the primary purpose in moving into new facilities was to ensure that the staff of the Union, WRJ, NFTB, and ARZA/WORLD UNION/NA could best meet the needs of our growing UAHC family, the move also proved to be financially beneficial. Approximately $10 million of the proceeds from the sale were placed into the UAHC endowment to ensure that funds will be available as needs for programs and services develop in the coming century.
There have been a number of notable changes in the UAHC staff as well. This summer, Rabbi Alan Bregman, who served as director of the Great Lakes Council for 25 years, is retiring. Rabbi Bregman will be missed not only in the region but throughout the country for his thoughtful and steady leadership of the National Commission on Rabbinic-Congregational Relations. He will be succeeded by Rabbi Karyn Kedar.
Also in the regions, two assistant regional directors have been appointed during the past year: Eileen Kollins, Midwest Regional Council, and Jan Bergman, Mid-Atlantic Council.
Following his ordination in 1998, Rabbi Dennis Eisner joined the UAHC staff as director of Junior and Senior High School Programs and NFTY. Rabbi Eisner will oversee implementation of the new UAHC Youth Initiative, which will significantly expand congregational youth programming and youth-worker training.
Louis Bordman will succeed David Friedman as director of Camp Eisner in Great Barrington, MA. Brad Gerstle has been named director of Crane Lake Camp, located a few miles from Eisner in the Berkshires. Jack Feldman has been appointed director of our newest facility, Camp George, located north of Toronto.
The UAHC Press is benefiting from the expertise of Ken Gesser, its new publisher, and Michelle Young, marketing manager. Julie Weil has been named assistant director of the Department of Synagogue Affiliation.
Nina Hanan has assumed her duties as associate executive director of Women of Reform Judaism. And Bobbi Schalit was promoted to managing director of ARZA/WORLD UNION, North America.
With sadness, we note the death of May Mass, administrator of the Greater New York Council of Reform Synagogues, who became a member of the UAHC staff after serving for many years as a volunteer at her synagogue, Temple Emanu-El of Lynbrook, NY, and on the regional board. May her memory be for a blessing.
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