New, exciting, and innovative experiential learning programs are cropping up across the Jewish world; some are happening within our own Reconstructionist movement.  This class will focus on exciting experiential youth education programs that combine the best of camp experiential learning and non-traditional congregational schools.

You can download the audio recording of this call by clicking here:  http://jrf.org/node/2704

Do you wonder how many different types of prayer services your congregation can effectively offer given your particular rabbinic and/or lay leadership, the physical space in which your community holds services, or the number of people who attend any or all of your services? Does your congregation struggle to balance the needs of “regular davenners” and “b’nai mitzvah guests?” Is there a Shabbat school that you try to integrate into the main congregational Shabbat service? Are there ongoing efforts to offer family services, children's services or a "junior congregation?"                             

Most congregations face the challenge of members with varied communal prayer service priorities. This class will explore several models that JRF congregations have adopted to balance different communal prayer needs and interests. We will delineate the challenges each service structure addresses and the values they reflect. Participants will be able to explore how different prayer service configurations might respond to challenges their congregation seeks to address.

You can download the audio recording of this call here:  http://jrf.org/node/2765

Creative “branding” and marketing of Reconstructionist Judaism is crucial to the growth of individual Reconstructionist congregations and havurot and to the movement-as-a-whole.  The work of the new JRF Marketing Advisory Group, which consists primarily of five professionals in marketing or related fields, all of whom are members of JRF congregations and generously donating their time to this project, is focusing on this important goal. This interactive conference call will share some of the wealth that is being developed by this committee.

The audio recording of this call can be found here:  http://jrf.org/node/2778

Before a congregational lay leader, such as a board president or committee/project chair, delegates to others, an appropriate structure, clear goals and satisfactory lines of communication need to be in place in the congregation. This session will explore these key elements along with  the importance of engaging people with the right skills and talents for appropriate positions and cultivating them as potential new leaders for the congregation. The basics of what to delegate, to whom, when and how to follow up successfully will also be addressed.

The audio recording of the call can be found here:  http://jrf.org/node/2779

JRF invites our Midwestern Region's congregants to join us for our annual celebration, this year to be held at Ravinia. The event is on Tuesday, July 20 at 6:00 pm, and will feature Peter and Paul in a tribute to Mary.

We will be honoring our Moreh Derekh (Those who show us the path) Honorees:

Steve Blonder  - Four term president of Ezra Habonim, the Niles Township Jewish Congregation, Steve led the synagogue through a significant transition and transformation.

Deborah Newberger - Deborah Newberger is a two-term past president of Shir Hadash Reconstructionist Synagogue in Northbrook, IL. A member since 1997, Deborah has served on the board of directors, youth group committee, fundraising committee, sabbatical committee, and is currently chairing  the capital campaign committee -- working to secure a permanent home for Shir Hadash.

Carole Caplan - Carole Caplan is proud to be president of the Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation in Evanston, IL, and to have helped build their new building as the "greenest" house of worship in America

Marc Hurwitz - Two-term President of Congregation Shir Hadash synagogue in Milwaukee, WI, has been a member since its founding in 1989. He chaired the Membership committee for 10 years, and has been actively involved in special programming and the development of the congregational school.

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Mayyim Hayyim (http://www.mayyimhayyim.org/) Community Mikveh and Education Center is hosting the international Mikveh Conference, “Gathering the Waters” in Boston, October 10-12, 2010. JRF is a partner for this event, and we encourage you to attend this exciting program.

The conference will provide an in-depth exploration of the contemporary mikveh in theory and practice. Internationally renowned scholars, clergy, and educators will teach about immersion as a powerful tool for spiritual renewal, marking life transitions, and observing mitzvot.  

Mayyim Hayyim (http://www.mayyimhayyim.org/) Community Mikveh and Education Center is hosting the international Mikveh Conference, “Gathering the Waters” in Boston, October 10-12, 2010. JRF is a partner for this event, and we encourage you to attend this exciting program.

The conference will provide an in-depth exploration of the contemporary mikveh in theory and practice. Internationally renowned scholars, clergy, and educators will teach about immersion as a powerful tool for spiritual renewal, marking life transitions, and observing mitzvot.  

Mayyim Hayyim (http://www.mayyimhayyim.org/) Community Mikveh and Education Center is hosting the international Mikveh Conference, “Gathering the Waters” in Boston, October 10-12, 2010. JRF is a partner for this event, and we encourage you to attend this exciting program.

The conference will provide an in-depth exploration of the contemporary mikveh in theory and practice. Internationally renowned scholars, clergy, and educators will teach about immersion as a powerful tool for spiritual renewal, marking life transitions, and observing mitzvot.  

In the best of times, it can be challenging for congregations to make good decisions about school budgets.  In times of economic hardship, it becomes even more important to address school budgets with great care.  In the first workshop, Rabbi Erin Hirsh will discuss best practices in school budgeting. She will discuss the roles of education directors, treasurers, education committees and boards.  This webinar will also examine the relationship between synagogue and school budgets as well as considering sample budgets.  In the second workshop,  Marion Gribetz will introduce Jdata and demonstrate how congregations can use data to make good decisions regarding the school budget.

In this era of technology, busy schedules, and high stress levels, our teens might find it difficult to stay connected to our Reconstructionist Jewish Communities.  What can we offer them as incentive to maintain their relationship to our congregations?  Our first webinar will explore different congregational approaches to teen programming.  Several teens will be presenting their views on why they choose to participate in teen programming at their congregations.  Our second webinar will focus on our college students.  How do they connect to their home Reconstructionist communities?  Do they find Jewish connections on their campus?  Hear from college students who attend schools both with and without a Reconstructionist presence and learn how we can help them succeed in maintaining their Jewish identities away from home.

Listen to the audio: http://jrf.org/engaging-ouryouthand-teens while viewing the power point below.

A Sacred Trust: Effective Leadership Skills and Governance that Works (Part 1): We can’t lead in a vacuum – the work of leadership is done within a larger system. Whether you are on the board, a member of a committee, part of the executive committee, or a staff member, working within a well-defined governance structure can help to clarify roles and responsibilities. These sessions will highlight effective models for structuring and managing the congregational board as well as explore the key elements to effective Jewish congregational leadership. This year we ask participants to deepen their learning by signing up for both sessions on a given topic. The follow-up to this session is Mon. March 28, noon EST. Please register separately at www.jrf.org/pearl

Listen to the audio from this call here as you view the power point below.