Thank you to everyone who helped make the 2010 JRF Convention a success!
We came, we sang, we danced, we davenned, and we had a blast! We are keeping the Convention site live for now so that those of you who were unable to join us will be able to see everything we packed into our 4 days in Southern California.
Please scroll down to the very bottom of the page for the downloadable version of the 2010 JRF Convention program book.
For information about the JRF Plenum vote, please visit www.jrf.org.
Your feedback is important to us. If you attended the Convention and did not get the chance to fill out the hard copy of the evaluation form, please fill out our online form here.
We are still working on compiling the attendee directory. This will be distributed via e-mail to those who attended Convention soon.
JRF’s 2010 Biennial Convention, themed “California Dreaming: Visioning Our Jewish Future,” was held November 11-14 at the Hyatt Regency , Newport Beach, CA. Feedback from Convention attendees was extremely positive. Some of the highlights included:
- Insightful discussions of Reconstructionist Jewish thought, practice and visions for the future with rabbinic and lay leaders of the movement
- Speakers and presenters who are leaders in their fields of expertise, with relevant insight into the Jewish world of today and tomorrow including Jane Eisner, Jeremy Ben-Ami and Rabbi Steve Gutow
- An enormous range and selection of workshops and beit midrash sessions
- A touch of Hollywood with a panel discussion of movie and television writers, directors and producers who are also members of JRF affiliate Kehillat Israel in Pacific Palisades, CA
- Inspiring and diverse prayer services, including “mainstream” Reconstructionist, chanting and new liturgy direct from Israel
- Lots and lots of spirited music everywhere, provided by professional cantors, rabbis, Julie Silver and our own Harmoniyah members
- A beautiful resort atmosphere in a spectacular setting with lots of greenery outside every meeting venue
- Wonderful food, plentiful, tasty and creative, with selections for all food preferences
- Warm , sunny southern California weather (maybe we can’t take credit for that, but it was delightful)
On the more serious side there was a plenum/business meeting where, by an overwhelming majority, a resolution was approved to move forward in talks with the other arms of the Reconstructionist movement to create a new, unified movement organization. The resolution calls for the JRF, which is the congregational arm of the movement, to complete discussions with the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College by January 31, 2011. The Plenum to vote on the proposal on the table at that time will be held no later than April 10, 2011.
We congratulate Michael Mitchell, from Darchei Noam in Toronto, on his new role as JRF President and extend best wishes and support to him in this endeavor.
Many, many thanks go out to everyone who participated in making this a great event for all who attended!
HERE ARE SOME FIRST-HAND ACCOUNTS!
- “if I were to offer a kvetch, it would be that it was so hard to choose from among the excellent offerings!”
- Wonderfully “abundant and magnificent” food
- “I keep hearing wonderful things from people who went to Convention. A new standard in food (quality, variety); great workshops (some making this comment didn't even realize I had co-chaired the Workshop Committee, so they're not just buttering me up!); spirited services; remarkable variety of speakers; fun music (Julie Silver, Harmoniyah). A loud, hearty, long, and very heartfelt yasher koach to you…”
- “lay attendees told me how much they enjoyed getting to meet such a wide variety of Reconstructionist rabbis and to share meals and informal times with rabbis from around the country… “
- “It reminded me that my congregation and I are part of a larger movement, it made me feel part of something bigger and more important than I usually think about.”
- “I think I’ve been to every convention since 1984 and this was the best yet.”
- “It was a wonderful convention - definitely the best I ever attended. And I am always supercritical - just my nature.”
Submitted by Victoria Cangelosi on October 25, 2010 - 10:23am.
Ten years ago, Kadima, the Reconstructionist congregation in Seattle, Washington, embarked on a thrilling project to bring into being the first sefer Torah in history to be scribed and embellished by an international community of women. It is the first woman-scribed Torah commissioned in modern times; the first Torah to be intentionally scribed by a partnership of women; and the first Torah to be supported, written and adorned by an international community of women and men sustaining one another through the hard work of transforming ideals into reality.
The Women’s Torah has just been completed! It will be a beautiful part of our Shabbat davenning experience at the JRF Convention in Newport Beach, California next month. We hope you will come be inspired with us.
Learn more about the Women's Torah
Submitted by Victoria Cangelosi on October 22, 2010 - 10:19am.
Join us at University Synagogue at 9:00 pm on Friday, November 12 at the JRF Convention for Shabbat Offerings, hosted by Harmoniyah, the Reconstructionist Music Network.
Performances will include:
Rabbi Micah Becker-Klein of Temple Beth El, Newark, DE and friends will open our program with songs for Shabbat from his forthcoming CD.
Marcelo Gindlin, the Hazzan at the Malibu Jewish Center and Synagogue and his sister Mariana Gindlin, the Cantor/Musical Director of Temple Sinai of Glendale, will perform a medley of Yiddish songs in honor of their grandparents.
Steven Hirsch, a founding member of the University Synagogue choir and Shannon Fowler, the choir director, will perform Gershon Kingsley's Yihyu l'ratzon (May the words of my mouth...)
Cherie Karo Schwartz of Congregation B’nai Havurah, is a Storyteller, Author, and Educator. Cherie will tell “Yehi Or, First Light,” a story created from Gen. Rabbah 33:11 and B. Bab. Bat. 16b, taking the concept of what happened to the light of the first day, according to Talmud.
Phyllis Angel, of Congregation Darchei Noam in Toronto is the “Rosh Hazzanut” of Congregation Darchei Noam. She will be performing a Yiddish song called “Harbstlied:” Why should I worry about what will be when autumn comes, since the fall offers me bushels of gold?
Steven Burnstein, Kibbutz Gezer/ RRC Student is the Director of the Center for Israel and Diaspora Education at IsraelExperts-Initiatives in Education. Steve’s offering will use songs and stories of Israel to help us better understand the contemporary voices dreaming of peace and a better future for Israel, the Jewish people, and the world.
Rabbi Shawn Zevit (RRC '98) of Congregation Kol HaLev in Cleveland, and JRF's Director of Congregational Relations and Tikkun Olam will be presenting songs about vision and possibility in the world and Jewish life. Audience participation expected!
Learn more about the Shabbat Offerings Lineup!
Submitted by Victoria Cangelosi on October 21, 2010 - 10:16am.
The future of Reconstructionist Judaism holds a complex mix of challenges and opportunities. This panel will invite the Convention body to envision the future of Reconstructionism at three levels: the national organizations, the congregations, and individuals.
Rabbi Dan Ehrenkrantz, President of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College and Aaron and Marjorie Ziegelman Presidential Professor, will provide the first lens.
Rabbi Fred Scherlinder Dobb, rabbi of JRF Congregation Adat Shalom in Bethesda, Maryland, will share his ideas about the future of congregational life.
Samantha Papurt Calloway will speak from the perspective of a young individual who is a committed Reconstructionist and active in congregational life while also offering a perspective on the congregational needs of young adults whose connections to our movement are not entirely or necessarily vested in congregational life.
This panel will take place Thursday November 11 from 4:00pm to 5:30pm
Submitted by Victoria Cangelosi on October 13, 2010 - 9:32am.
Have you reserved your hotel room for Convention yet? If not, you may want to act quickly - the cutoff date for JRF's special rate at the Convention hotel is coming up!
October 20 is the last day to reserve your hotel room for only $139/night.
Register for Convention
Reserve your hotel room
Call (949) 729-1234 and tell them you want the JRF rate or make your reservation online.
Submitted by Victoria Cangelosi on September 22, 2010 - 7:47am.
What is it like to be a Reconstructionist in Hollywood? This panel will feature major Hollywood writers, directors and producers who are members of Kehillat Israel Reconstructionist Congregation. Rabbi Steven Carr Reuben of Kehillat Israel will moderate.
The Panelists
Jeff Nathanson has been a professional screenwriter for over 18 years. His credits include Catch Me If You Can, Rush Hour 2, The Terminal, Rush Hour 3, and The Last Shot, which he also directed. Read more
Steve Gomer's screen credits include The Practice, Private Practice, The Unit, Everwood, Gilmore Girls, Joan of Arcadia, Heartland, Chicago Hope, Ally McBeal, Sweet Lorraine, Without a Trace, Shark, The Guardian, Jericho, and many others. Read more
Janet Leahy's screen credits include Mad Men, Boston Legal, Gilmore Girls, That’s Life, Grace Under Fire, Roseanne, The Cosby Show, Cheers, Newhart, Life Unexpected, and many others. Read more
Lew Schneider began his professional career in Chicago following his graduation from the University of Pennsylvania in 1983. While taking classes in improvisational technique at the Second City Players’ Workshop, he started performing as a stand-up comedian. Read more
Submitted by Victoria Cangelosi on September 16, 2010 - 8:25pm.
Due to popular demand, we are extending the Early Bird Special until midnight on October 4! Register for the JRF Convention by October 4 and receive a $36 gift certificate from JRF that you can use during the Vendor Showcase on Friday of Convention. Register now
Submitted by Victoria Cangelosi on September 16, 2010 - 7:42am.
Among the most amazing experiences you'll have at Convention will be the Tefillah prayer services. You haven't experienced Reconstructionism until you've experienced members of our community from all over North America and Europe, under one roof, singing in one language.
We are fortunate to have some of the most recognized faces in Reconstructionism leading these powerful services for us.
To learn more about the services that will be offered at this year's Convention, and the incredible people who will be leading them, please visit the Prayer Services page on the Convention website.
Submitted by Victoria Cangelosi on September 7, 2010 - 7:38am.
Jeremy Ben-Ami is the founder and President of J Street, the relatively new, highly successful advocacy organization for Middle East peace. He has twenty-five years of experience in government, politics and communications, in the United States and internationally, including numerous political campaigns. Jeremy Ben-Ami was a Deputy Domestic Policy Adviser under President Bill Clinton.
Rabbi Steve Gutow, a graduate of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, is President and CEO of the Jewish Public Affairs Council. He is a lawyer, rabbi, and political organizer. In 2007, Rabbi Gutow was named to the "Forward 50," and in 2009 Newsweek named him among the 20 most influential rabbis in the United States.
They each represent a Jewish organization with a different take on Israel, politics, and American Jews. Join us at Convention as we listen to them discuss Israel, American electoral politics, and other important issues. This discussion will be moderated by JRF Board member Randi Brenowitz.
Sponsored by Israel Experts
Submitted by Victoria Cangelosi on August 31, 2010 - 8:15am.
JRF needs your help to make this Convention a success. We are currently looking for vendors, advertisers and sponsors. If you would like to take advantage of this incredible opportunity for your business or organization, please visit the Vendors, Advertisers and Sponsors page.
Vendors
Looking to present your product or service to a national Jewish audience? The JRF Convention will feature a Vendor Showcase from 8:30am to 3:00pm on Friday, November 12. We are seeking all sorts of vendors, from artists to booksellers to organizations promoting a cause. Learn more about the Vendor Showcase and apply to be a Vendor.
Advertisers
Get your message out to Jewish Reconstructionists everywhere! Purchase an ad in our Convention program, and put your business or cause in front of our Convention attendees.
Sponsors
Exclusive Sponsorship Packages are the best way to achieve the full potential of recognition for your organization or business. The packages are specially designed to give you the most for your sponsorship dollars. All packages include advertising, a “thank you” message on our website, e-mail blasts to our membership, and promotional opportunities and recognition to really make your business or organization stand out. Become a sponsor today.
Submitted by Victoria Cangelosi on August 24, 2010 - 8:00am.
Harmoniyah, the Reconstructionist Music Network, is hosting 'Shabbat Offerings,' a special Friday evening program that is sure to delight.
We hope to create an engaging, community-affirming event that joyfully celebrates our collective experiences at Convention, while highlighting the Convention theme - California Dreaming: Visioning Our Jewish Future - and the performance context of Shabbat.
We invite all musicians, storytellers, and other artists to submit proposals for this program. We hope to include a wide range of performances, and group experiences. We welcome all creative, performance or participatory proposals. We are seeking a variety of short “acts/performances/group experiences.” Learn more.
Submitted by Victoria Cangelosi on July 30, 2010 - 11:40am.
Julie Silver is one of the most celebrated and beloved performers in the world of contemporary Jewish music today. Julie, who is a member of Kehillat Israel Reconstructionist Congregation in Pacific Palisades, tours throughout the world, and has been engaging audiences with her lyrical guitar playing, her dynamic stage presence, and her megawatt smile for nearly twenty years.
Julie will perform a concert for the Convention body on Saturday night, November 13. Read more about Julie Silver
Submitted by Victoria Cangelosi on July 29, 2010 - 9:57am.
Submitted by Victoria Cangelosi on July 12, 2010 - 9:40am.
Named one of the "Top 20 Legal Thinkers" by Legal Affairs Magazine, Erwin Chemerinsky is widely held as an expert on American Constitutional law as well as a dynamic and thought-provoking speaker. Luckily for JRF, Mr. Chemerinsky is also a member of University Synagogue, the Reconstructionist congregation in Irvine, California.
During Erev Shabbat (Friday night) services at Convention, Mr. Chemerinsky will give a talk titled "The Crumbling Wall Separating Church and State: What Will it Mean for Jews?"
Read more about Mr. Chemerinsky and watch a video of his talk on Judaism and the American Constitution.
Submitted by Victoria Cangelosi on June 11, 2010 - 4:18pm.
Each year, more people want to attend Convention than can afford to do so. These people might include your fellow congregants, and in some cases professionals whose congregations do not have enough in their budgets to send them to Convention.
Our goal at JRF is to make our Conventions accessible for everyone who would like to come. We plan to accomplish this goal by creating Convention scholarships, and we need your help. Please donate to the Convention Scholarship Fund now, and help a fellow member of the movement enjoy this incredible experience.
Submitted by Victoria Cangelosi on June 1, 2010 - 10:20pm.
If you're looking for information on workshops, check out our Workshop Overview page. Here you’ll find information about the types of workshops/b’tei midrash that will be offered, frequently asked questions about workshops, and the workshop proposal form.
