News You Can Use from METNY USCJ

Rabbi Charles Savenor
Executive Director

Rabbi Moshe Edelman

Associate Executive Director

Dave Siegel

Interim Director of Youth Activities

Sharon Steinberg

President

To read workshop summaries and to download handouts from the 2010 Synagogue Leadership Conference, visit the METNY website.

The Month of Elul and the Days of Awe
Sharon P. Steinberg, METNY President

These words bring to mind our frailties, our insignificance. As we contemplate our fate, and pray for our personal futures and the future of our People, I shift a little from personal prayer to think about a different year past. This past year as president of METNY.

This past year has truly been a YEAR of Awe. I am in awe of all our congregations, their leadership and the bonds that have been made between them and METNY. These bonds of friendship, camaraderie were not easily made. We came together to help each other, to share in good times and hardships. We learned about each other and how we can move forward together, for the benefit of Klal Yisrael. I am awed at the courage congregations have had to face the challenges of our economy and yet ever moving forward.

My hope for this coming year is for all of us to continue creating friendships, helping each other, teaching each other and growing together. May you and your families (and congregational families) go from strength to strength. May we all be inscribed for a year filled with health, happiness and peace.

Shanah Tovah U'Metuka!

Congregational Alternative Shabbat Services Survey
Special Report by Rabbi Moshe Edelman, METNY Associate Director

Last fall the METNY District of the United Synagogue conducted a survey about alternative Shabbat services in METNY congregations. The survey was developed by Dr. Saul Shapiro, a past president of METNY and long time member of the USCJ Board of Trustees, and Dan Werlin, a former member of the METNY board and coordinator of the Forest Hills Minyan.

There were 42 respondent congregations from the District out of a possible 103 congregations. The data was submitted in the winter 2010. The following statistics offer us a picture into several vital questions. In addition to the responses, I will include commentary and questions to consider.

What Happens On Shabbat?
Our respondents in 40 of the congregations reported that they have an erev Shabbat minyan and 2 of the congregations have two services each Friday. It is interesting to note that 7 of the respondents indicated that on Shabbat morning there are two minyanim, but not necessarily each week. A significant majority told us that they have a children's service and a quarter report conducting a regular teen congregation.

Commentary: Would a second minyan on Shabbat attract "new" current congregants who are not regular "daveners" to your congregation? How different would that minyan be to make it appealing to non-Hebrew readers, to members who are less familiar with the siddur , to those with young families. Or, on the other hand, those who have excellent skills and want a high level service (i.e. full Torah reading, total participation by lay leaders in being "hazzan", delivering Divrei Torah ).

Name it and Claim it
Our survey revealed that the 2nd or 3rd minyan on Shabbat morning had a unique name to differentiate it from the main minyan. There were Havurah minyanim, MInyan Ma'At, Learner's Minyan, Carlebach minyan, Family Service, Rimonim, Meditation Service and West Side Minyan.

Commentary: Does a distinct name give the group a flair and attractiveness ? Do you have any other thoughts on the name of a minyan for your synagogue? Is there ownership with a name which draws people to come regularly to such a service?

VIiva La Diffference!
The synagogue with 2 or 3 services was also distinguished by the content of the davening. For example, repeating the Amidah (Shacharit and Musaf), the start time of the service, the role of kohanim or leviim in the Torah service ( order of receiving an aliyah, non differentiation of congregants by category) and the full Parasha as opposed to the Triennial cycle of the Torah being read.

Commentary: What changes might occur in your current service that might attract new attendees? Which traditions would meet with resistance on a halakhic basis or an emotional uncomfortableness? Who discusses these possible changes in the congregation? Is there a way to experiment with a change before it becomes permanent?

Topics for Follow-Up from the Survey:

*Independence of 2nd minyan in relationship to primary service
*Marketing the 2nd minyan to members and to marginally affiliated members as well as not yet affiliated
*Encouraging young families to attend

Next Steps: Where will you, as a synagogue professional or lay leader, take this brief report? How can it be a useful tool for the vibrancy and success of Shabbat in your shul?

We encourage you read Rabbi Elie Kaunfer's article from the latest CJ Magazine entitled "What Can Congregations and Independent Minyanim Learn from Each Other?" Click here to read.

Yasher Koach Corner

The Conservative Movement's Mahzor Lev Shalem, The 'Complete Heart'

mahzor new

"The New York Jewish Week" published an amazingly positive review of our movement's new High Holyday Mahzor Lev Shalem. Even if your congregation will not be using this volume for 5771, it can be purchased by individuals through the USCJ's Book Service. It is a beautiful work that will be sure to enhance the meaning and joy of your High Holy Day observance and celebration! It is an excellent addition to your home library that can transform your holyday tefillah experience.

For programmatic tools, look at this website:

http://www.rabbinicalassembly.org/welcome.html

and

For a video trailer, check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFkxoqlr264

Yasher Koach to Rabbi Ed Feld and the committee that worked for ten years to produce this inspirational text!

METNY Candlelighting Magnets 5771

METNY mailed magnets to METNY lay, professional and spiritual synagogue leaders this past week. We appreciate the calls and emails of appreciation!

If you would like extra magnets for members of your kehilla, community and family, please contact our office at metny@uscj.org and 212-533-0800. Extra requests include a maximum of 25 magnets.

Shana Tovah & Shabbat Shalom!

Iran 180

This year the JCRC-NY, UJA-Federation of New York and a host of non-Jewish organizations, including the NAACP, has launched a new initiative called Iran180. Iran180 demands a complete "turn around" in Iran's human rights and nuclear policies.

Iran180 has issued a call to New Yorkers to support them by signing their e-declaration demanding a 180 in Iran. They will be presenting this declaration at a major press conference on September 20th at the UN and they need thousands of people to sign on. Please take two minutes and go to www.Iran180.org and sign the declaration and send it to your friends.

The goal of this campaign is to send a clear message to President Ahmadinejad when he comes to New York in a couple of weeks: we demand acomplete reversal of Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons and the way it treats its citizens. We demand that Iran make a 180 degree change and say Yes to human rights, no to nuclear rights.

The cornerstone of this effort is an e-declaration that we intend to present at a major press conference at the UN with a host of elected officials on Monday, September 20. Live web streaming of the press conference will be available.

We will present the Iran180 Declaration with all of the signatures at a major press conference on September 20, 2010 at the UN, in anticipation of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's address to the General Assembly on September 23.

To learn more go to www.Iran180.org, where you will have an opportunity to sign the Iran180 Declaration. You also can email info@Iran180.org or call (646) 789-1488.

Help support Iran180 by forwarding this email to a friend. Thank you very much for your time and consideration in support of such an urgent cause!

METNY USY Encampment Reaches New Heights!

METNY's USY & Kadima Encampment was held from Aug 23rd - Aug 31stat Camp Ramah in the Berkshires. This year METNY hosted 472 teens, 60 more than last year and 100 more than two years ago.

The "World of Dr. Seuss" was the week's fun theme. The USYers and staff transformed camp into a world that reflected the books of this beloved author. Our youth re-named areas of camp with Dr. Seuss references, organized a Seuss Dress Up day, and even having green eggs - but no ham! - on Wacky Wednesday for breakfast!

The educational topic was Tefillah (prayer). The USYers tackled issues such as why do we pray, can we pray in English and how does my belief in God effect my ability to pray. In the Kadima sichot (discussion groups), they integrated Dr. Seuss stories into their learning by using them as jumping off point into issues of Tefillah. It was amazing to see the Kadimaniks use the stories that they know and love to help begin their discussions about prayer.

In addition to the usual outstanding programming offered at METNY Encampment, our staff developed several innovations at camp. Here are some highlights:

*For the first time METNY offered a Hebrew spoken sicha (discussion group) for any USY comfortable speaking Hebrew or would like to practice their language skills. The material used was the same as the English sichot and the session was facilitated by one of our Israeli staff members. Forty USYers showed up for this new and exciting option! We are looking into offering future sichot in Hebrew.

*In order to increase our connection to the state of Israel, METNY had twelve Israeli counselors at camp and seven Israel campers. Being able to hear their experiences and spend the week with deepened both our understanding of Israel and their understanding of the ideals of the Conservative Movement.

*We featured a musician in residence, Bible Raps. The musicians from Bible Raps worked with our campers to produce original music that was performed for the USY and Kadima groups. The participants loved their unique sound and their ability to bring Jewish topics into their music. These rap videos will be featured on www.metnyusy.org.

*Our youth heard from "Rachel's Challenge," a program facilitated by a father of Rachel Scott. Rachel was the first child killed in the Columbine High School. During the program the USYers learned about combating prejudice, spreading kindness and ways to create a "chain reaction" in our world. It was clear this powerful presentation changed the way many of our USYers view life and their ability to make a difference.

*Daily emails were sent by METNY to USY and Kadima parents informing them of the daily activities. The letters signed by Joe and Jane USY (or Kadima) have received a great response. We hope to find additional ways to keep parents informed about our programs as the year continues.

*During the week we also hosted a yom iyun for METNY rabbis. Ten rabbis studied with Rabbi Gordon Tucker, participated in a focus group about the direction of METNY USY, and visited with their synagogue's youth.

METNY distributed over $10,000 is scholarship funds to our youth to attend the program. Your contributions to our scholarship fund at our METNY annual dinner enabled scores of teens to attend, learn and grow Jewishly. Thanks!

This was an amazing Encampment for METNY USY. Encampemnt is an amazing 9 day program that changes our USYers and Kadimaniks lives. As the USYers and Kadimaniks prepared to return home they hugged their new friends, exchanged information and already started talking about next year.

The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism is proud to present a teleseminar

Addressing Effective and Compelling
Fundraising Approaches for 2010 and 2011

Charitable giving in 2009 fell only slightly from very high levels in 2007 and 2008 and year-to-date preliminary results reflect strong giving by donors at all levels. How did your congregation fare last year and what are you experiencing so far in 2010?

USCJ member congregations need to consider how donors are responding differently today and work strategically to re-position themselves for success in securing charitable dollars, especially in the last quarter of 2010. What steps should your congregation take for more effective fundraising? Given the economic downturn in the past two years, are there lessons we should learn? What have other organizations done to secure giving from their donors for special purposes, endowment funding, debt reduction or capital needs?

This will be an interactive conversation so be prepared with questions!

There will be two opportunities to participate in this teleseminar on

Wednesday, September 15, 2010
3:00 p.m. (Eastern) or 8:00 p.m. (Eastern)

To register for this teleseminar, click here.

Join us as Robert Evans, founder and managing director of The EHL Consulting Group, provides important insights and perspectives on these and other fundraising topics. As one of the Jewish community's most experienced and respected specialists in fundraising and strategic planning, he will refer to the national results reported by Giving USA earlier this year and draw on his decades of experiences as a front-line consultant with some of the Conservative Movement's leading congregations to offer a set of strategic steps your congregation should embark upon immediately, especially considering proposed tax law changes that could significantly impact charitable giving in the closing days of 2010 and well into 2011.*

METNY's Biennial Convention

The place to be on Sunday, November 14 is the METNY Biennial Convention? We hope that you will join all of us from around METNY at Beth El Synagogue Center in New Rochelle for our 2010 Biennial Convention!

Our theme will be "The Charismatic Kehillah". Using the pillars of the book, The Charismatic Organization, we will learn how to transform your congregation into a dynamic kehillah, or community, that is mission-based, forward thinking and attracts and retains volunteers through meaningful engagement and contemporary communications.

Confirmed speakers include:

Jeremy Fingerman, Executive Director, The Foundation for Jewish Camp
Ruth Messinger, Executive Director, American Jewish World Service

The convention committee is hard at work planning the day's program, including the installation of the District Council and synagogue recognition awards. More details to follow soon.

You may have already seen information about the awards process. Material about all of METNY's awards and applications for the Rothschild Award may be accessed by clicking here. These materials will be due Oct. 12. For more information, please contact Rabbi Moshe Edelman, METNY District Associate Director, at edelman@uscj.org or 212-533-0800.

Spiritual Prep for the High Holy Days

For the third time, the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies (the Conservative rabbinical school in Los Angeles) has put together a DVD of High Holiday reflections and lessons. Spend some time preparing for the High Holy Days along with Rabbis Brad Artson, Ed Feinstein, Cheryl Peretz, and David Wolpe. Your rabbi will be receiving a copy of this year's DVD shortly. You can also review the material from the previous two DVDs.

An adult education curriculum, Walking With the Jewish Holidays, will be also be released by the Ziegler School shortly. A look at the Jewish year featuring lessons by rabbis from around the country, this is the fourth book in the Walking With... series.

Preparing for the High Holy Days #2

Operation Isaiah, working in conjunction with Mazon: A Jewish Response to Hunger, helps synagogues and families begin collecting food before Rosh HaShanah. The goal is to reach Yom Kippur knowing that other families do not have to fast because their tables are bare. Many synagogues give out grocery bags on Rosh Hashanah and Shabbat Shuvah, to be returned, filled, at Kol Nidre.

Family Israel Experience

July 3-14, 2011

With the High Holidays approaching, we want to look to the future. At the end of the Neilah service at the conclusion of Yom Kippur, Jews around the world will recite the verse - Next Year in Jerusalem!

How appropriate and exciting for us - to announce that USCJ has designed a "Family Israel Experience". This dynamic multigenerational trip was
designed for congregations that may not have clergy or have enough
critical mass to offer an affordable family trip. This memorable trip will
take place on July 3-14, 2011.

israel flag waving

This coming July we invite you to join together with congregants from across North America to form one unit as we fulfill this millennia-old aspiration of the Jewish people, visiting our homeland with those we care about most.

You will experience a dynamic and colorful country where Judaism comes
alive in a way like no where else in the world.

Best wishes for a shana tova, a sweet new year!

For more information, please contact Rabbi Charles Savenor Savenor@uscj.org or Jo-Anne Tucker-Zemlak zemlak@uscj.org.

http://www.authenticisrael.com/UserFiles/File/USCJFamily.pdf

COME HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS!

With the High Holy Days soon approaching, we're asking for your help to promote and participate in the Project Reconnect initiative, Come Home For The Holidays (CHFTH), through your synagogues and affiliated organizations.

If your synagogue has not yet signed up for Come Home For The Holidays by either offering free High Holy Day seats and/or home hospitality to our alumni in need, you may still do so by going to http://www.projectreconnect.org and sign up with the appropriate information.

If you aren't sure if your synagogue has signed up for Come Home For The Holidays and/or want to be sure that Project Reconnect has the correct and updated information regarding your synagogue's participation in CHFTH, we encourage you to go to the Project Reconnect web site www.projectreconnect.org and check things out. Corrections may be sent to support@projectreconnect.org.

We have more than 300 congregations participating in CHFTH and the list is growing. With your help and support we can reach even higher numbers.

Below is a sample of what can be sent out for publicity to alumni who are in colleges away from home and who can't come home, or to Jewish organizations and publications:

USCJ'S PROJECT RECONNECT PARTNERS WITH SYNAGOGUES TO OFFER FREE HIGH HOLIDAY TICKETS TO CONSERVATIVE MOVEMENT ALUMNI | The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism's Association For Alumni Programming, Project Reconnect, has teamed up with Conservative and Masorati synagogues throughout North America, Europe, South America and Israel to offer free High Holiday tickets and home hospitality (where noted) to college students, 20 and 30 somethings, young marrieds, alumni in need and those away from home during the High Holy Days, who have been involved with youth and young adult programs run by the Conservative movement.

Alumni are urged to go to the Project Reconnect website, www.projectreconnect.org, as soon as possible for information on the free High Holiday tickets offered as part of Project Reconnect's "Come Home for the Holidays" initiative. The website contains an extensive list of contact information for the hundreds of participating Conservative congregations.

USCJ synagogues not yet signed up for Come Home For The Holidays can still do so by going to the www.projectreconnect.org website.

HAPPY 5751!

All of us at METNY wish you and your families happiness and health in the new year. As a reminder, METNY's offices will be closed for Yom Tov on Wednesday afternoon, September 8th, and on Thursday and Friday, September 9th and 10th.

Our offices will also be closed on Monday, September 6th, in observance of Labor Day.