A Mid-Size Congregation in a Small City Swings for the Fences With Climate Action
On May 7, 2023, we hosted the First Annual A2 Climate Teach-in -- one of the largest climate action events in recent Ann Arbor history. Our keynote speaker was the mayor, and our closing speaker was a distinguished faculty fellow in sustainability at the University of Michigan.
At Camp Dream Street, ‘Nothing is Impossible’ for Kids with Disabilities
NFTY founded Dream Street in 1975 with the belief that all kids should have the chance to have fun, make friends, try new experiences, and bring all of their identities to summer camp. Each summer, Dream Street accepts about 60 campers who have disabilities and/or mobility impairments like cerebral palsy, spina bifida, limb differences, and spinal cord injuries.
Celebrating the URJ’s 150th Anniversary with New Opportunities and Communities
People can now form communities regardless of where they live, and accessibility has increased with the rise of online communities. Two such communities have recently partnered with the URJ in its 150th year— HaNefesh and Keeping It Sacred.
We Bring You Peace: Bringing Israeli Counselors to Camp
The URJ has been bringing Israeli counselors to camp for many years. Their presence offers several valuable benefits to the camp program.
11 Resources for Your New Board
This is the time of year that many congregations form new boards. Here are a few ways your board can strengthen your leadership using resources from the URJ.
Leadership Lessons from Our Time in the Desert
During college, I lived on a kibbutz in the Arava desert in southern Israel. At dawn and twilight, I hiked while admiring the striking red mountains just over the eastern border with Jordan and the subtle peaks of the Negev Highlands to the west.
"Julia’s Journey" Exemplifies Tikkun Olam in 2023
"Julia's Journey: A Story of Love, Courage and Hope" premiered in the spring of 2023 at Beth Haverim Shir Shalom. More than 250 people attended, including representatives of Ukrainian churches and cultural centers.
Chevrah Kadisha: Showing Love Until the Very End
Judaism teaches that livayat ha’met, accompanying the dead to their final resting place, is one of the holiest of all the mitzvot because the person for whom it is performed cannot repay the favor.
Becoming Bet Mitzvah
Rabbi Gubitz outlined why many synagogues across the country are adopting a more gender inclusive term to name the Jewish coming of age ceremony traditionally called bat or bar mitzvah. Many communities striving to be places of belonging are wondering which term to use in their congregations.
High Holy Day Tickets – Money and Information
As congregational leaders, we do our best to make our High Holy Day services some of the most memorable (and beautiful) of the year. Of course, Bloomingdale’s displays are meant to entice customers inside so that they purchase something. However, we offer something of much greater value that should not come with a price tag: community.