Rabbi Jacobs distributed a very impressive article to the URJ Biennial distribution, highlighting Seth’s excitement for the Biennial and ways in which Seth “understood the serious challenges facing our congregations and our movement, but as a true leader he was always focused on turning challenges into opportunities.”   Please follow this link to the article. Bob [...]

Today was a full day at the Biennial.  I decided to skip services this morning, since we were up so late last night.  Did you notice the time of my post last night?  The morning started with a plenary session.  These sessions are a combination of music, speeches, awards, and business.  The session started with [...]

Today was the first day of the URJ’s 71st Biennial Convention.  Bob Abrams and I left the Hudson Valley early this morning.  We drove down to the Washington DC and made very good time, arriving just after noon.  We found the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, MD.  This will be our [...]

Well, I’ve finished most of my pre-biennial planning.  I have worked through the schedule and selected the workshop/learning sessions I plan on attending.  I am left with only a few “ties” where I haven’t made my final decision.    Those will be made dynamically as I go along through the week.  You also never know, [...]

This evening I joined about 40 of our fellow congregants in our sanctuary.  Together we sang L’Cha Dodi, chanted the Bar’chu, Shema, and the other prayers as we welcomed Shabbat.  Following services, we made Kiddush and shared in an oneg Shabbat before heading home or to a local restaurant for dinner. 1 week from tonight [...]

On Wednesday, December 14, Bob Abrams and I will head down to Washington DC for the 71st URJ Biennial.  There we will join 6,000 other Reform Jews from across North America for five days of workshops, sharing of ideas, study, worship, and inspirational speakers.  I will be blogging about my experiences daily while I am [...]