Over seventy participants - from as far north as Seattle, Washington to as far south as Eugene, Oregon - attended JRF’s regional Yom Iyyun (Day of Learning), themed “East by Northwest: A Jewish Perspective on Place and Community.” The five Reconstructionist congregations and havurot of the Pacific Northwest sponsored this thought-provoking program, held January 29th 2012 at Havurah Shalom in Portland. Feedback from attendees was extremely positive.

Some of the highlights included:

• An inspiring and intellectually stimulating keynote address exploring how Diaspora Jews understand their relationship to Israel and Zionism given by Rabbi Dan Ehrenkranz, the President of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College
• Insightful discussions on topics such as gender, age, ethnicity and Israel from a Reconstructionist perspective
• Dynamic and informative speakers and presenters, including Rabbi Dan Ehrenkranz, Rabbi Joey Wolf, Rabbi Yitz Husbands-Hankin, Rabbi Jane Rachel Litman, Dr. Oren Kosansky, Simon Goldenberg and David Fuks
• Uplifting opening prayer services using the innovative Reconstructionist siddur (prayer book)
• Spontaneous singing, laughter, and communal joy
• Networking between Reconstructionist leaders and community members from different congregations and havurot  

Craig Starr, the Northwest Regional Vice President of JRF, says, “I keep hearing wonderful things from people who attended the Reconstructionist Day of Learning.  I believe the event set a new standard for its thoughtful engagement with contemporary issues, first rate workshops, and warm feelings of community. I’d like to express my deep gratitude to the presidents of Havurah Shalom, Kadima, Temple Beth Israel, Temple Beth Hatfiloh and Temple Beth Sholom and the many volunteers who worked so hard to make this event such a success.”