JRF Convention

Rabbi Shai Gluskin — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 13:55:23 -0400

Please visit the JRF Convention 2008 home page.

The 42nd JRF Convention in Boston

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 20:50:51 -0400

Transformative Judaism for the 21st Century

Join the largest gathering of Reconstructionists in North America for four enriching days of learning, building connections, and sharing best practices to grow ourselves and our communities as we explore the theme Transformative Judaism for the 21st Century.

Workshops will be offered on just about every imaginable area of Jewish communal life, including education, congregational development, tikkun olam, leadership, ritual and liturgy, youth, Israel, spirituality, and the arts. There's something for everyone!

CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS

A Plenary Session on Identity, Community and Leadership is a dialogue between the generations — those involved today in creating "emerging communities" and those who were shapers of the Havurah movement in the '60s and '70s, now serving as leaders of the Reconstructionist Movement. Participants will include Rabbi David Teutsch, Sarah Liebman, Zachary Teutsch, and Rabbi Michael Strassfeld.

Four special Forums will immediately follow the opening plenary, giving us an opportunity to explore the themes raised as we engage in conversations with leaders in their fields:

Building the Jewish Identity of the Next Generation with Jonathan Woocher and Jerry Silverman
Strengthening and Transforming Congregational Life with Rabbi Hayim Herring and Amy L. Sales
Rethinking the Role of Movements in the 21st Century with Rabbi Joy Levitt and Rabbi Sid Schwarz
What is the Forefront of Tikkun Olam? with Rabbi Toba Spitzer and others

Professor Jonathan Sarna, the foremost expert on American Jewish history, will join us on Thursday evening with a talk entitled American Judaism at a Crossroads: A Perspective on Reconstructionism from a Jewish Historian.

Shabbat services filled with ruach (spirit) and kavannah (intention) will bring us together as an extended Reconstructionist family.

Beit Midrash sessions on Shabbat afternoon include informal text study, creative exploration of Reconstructionist liturgy, and a celebration of the arts.

A special screening of Praying with Lior, an award-winning film by Ilana Trachtman. The film celebrates the Reconstructionist Bar Mitzvah of Lior Liebling, who has Down Syndrome, and explores themes of disability and spirituality.

Networking opportunities throughout Convention will facilitate connections between our communities, such as break-out sessions, affinity group meetings, and receptions. Come and contribute your questions and your congregation’s best practices to the conversations!

RENA (Reconstructionist Educators of North America) and Harmoniyah--the Reconstructionist Music Network will be participating in our Convention again this year.

Visit sights of Jewish interest in Boston or participate in a tikkun olam service opportunity on Sunday.

And much more!

Learn more about the JRF Convention.

Call for Proposals for Workshops at JRF's 42nd Convention

Lisa Tuttle — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 15:06:36 -0500

JRF's 42nd Convention will take place in Boston on November 13-16, 2008. The theme is:

Transformative Judaism for the 21st Century

What exciting innovations are on the horizon for Jewish life in the 21st century? What are the most pressing issues facing our Reconstructionist communities? In what areas are you seeking new ideas and solutions and have ideas to share?

Workshops at the 42nd JRF Convention will address the theme “Transformative Judaism for the 21st Century.”

We welcome proposals addressing a broad range of topics, including but not limited to:

Adult Education
Camping
Congregational Schools
Effective Models of Decision Making
Ethical Kashrut
Fundraising
Growth and Communal Transitions
Israel
Leadership Development
Liturgy and Ritual
Planned Giving
Rabbi/Congregation Relations
Spirituality and Spiritual Practices
Strategic Planning
Sustainability
Text Study and Divrei Torah
The Arts in Jewish Community
Tikkun Olam
Youth

To propose a workshop session of 90 minutes in length, please download the attached workshop proposal form and submit it by May 15th to workshopproposals@jrf.org or via fax to 215-885-5603, Attn: Julia Tauber.