The Union for Reform Judaism provides vision and leadership to Reform Jews and congregations on spiritual, ethical, social justice and management issues. It provides programmatic support to Reform Jewish congregations and offers opportunities for individual growth and identity that few congregations could provide by themselves, such as camps and Israel programs for youth, study kallot and North American and regional biennials.
What the Union Stands For As the congregational arm of the Reform Movement, the Union for Reform Judaism strives to create and sustain vibrant Jewish congregations wherever Reform Jews live in North America. The synagogue is at the very center of Jewish life, transforming individual members into caring, committed Jews, inspiring them to live Jewish lives. The synagogue is the door through which members encounter a larger entity, K'lal Yisrael, the people of Israel
The Benefits of Affiliation
Affiliation with the Union for Reform Judaism provides many services and programs for our congregation:
Advice and services from Union staff at both regional and North American headquarters
Priority participation (and lower fees) at the Union’s network of camps
Youth programs in North America and in Israel
Placement services for professional personnel (rabbis, cantors, educators, administrators, program directors)
Affinity programming for congregations with like needs and interests (small congregations, large congregations, membership chairs, finance chairs, etc.)
Discounts through collective purchasing
A voice in developing Reform movement priorities and positions
Participation in online discussion groups on matters of congregational practice
Eligibility to attend North American and regional biennial assemblies
Subscriptions for members to the highly acclaimed Reform Judaism magazine
Assistance in resolving clergy-congregation disputes
Union support and guidance in many areas, including:
Architectural consulting services
Fund-raising and endowment issues
Jewish family concerns (aging, diversity, children with special needs, and more)
Leadership development
Lifelong Jewish Learning (pre-school through adult)
Membership recruitment, integration and retention
Music, worship and religious living
Outreach and conversion
Religious school curricula and textbooks
Social action/ Tikkun Olam
Strategic planning
Synagogue management
The Great Lakes Region of the Union for Reform Judaism serves some 60 Reform congregations in Northwest Indiana, Northern and Central Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota and North Dakota, from its office based in Northbrook IL. The office houses the Regional Director, Assistant Director, Regional Educator, Regional Director of Youth and Informal Education, and the Regional Director of Outreach and Synagogue Community, and is also home to the regional offices of NFTY and of ARZA. Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute also has its administrative offices in the URJ facility.
Congregational involvement in the work of the movement is through the mechanism of two organizations of lay leaders, the Great Lakes Council and the Chicago Federation. The two groups work together on many projects, most notably the regional biennial, held early in November of even-numbered years in Oconomowoc WI. The Chicago Federation sponsors programs approximately quarterly on topics of interest to congregational leadership. Each member congregation is represented in the work of the Great Lakes Region by its president and an additional appointee, who participate either in the Great Lakes Council or the Chicago Federation. However, most meetings are open to any member of a URJ congregation.
OSRUI
Located in Oconomowoc, WI, OSRUI was founded in 1952 as a program of the Union for Reform Judaism (then the Union of American Hebrew Congregations). From the beginning, OSRUI has been a pacesetter in Jewish camping. OSRUI was the first Union camp in North America, to develop a concept of primitive camping, and to develop a Hebrew immersion program.
Over 30,000 youngsters have called Union Institute camps their summer home!
Nov. 16 - Prospective Camper Visiting Day If your child wants to join us next summer for the first time, spend the day at camp and learn all about OSRUI.
Dec. 11-14 - Chalutzim for Adults Chalutzim is OSRUI's fabulous summer Hebrew immersion program. Get a taste of what our campers experience.
Apr. 22-26 - Devorah Quilting Kallah OSRUI has pieced together this fabulous adult program for all levels of quilters, from beginners to experienced.
May 15-17 - Father & Son Kallah
Special time at camp for dads, grandads, uncles and the boys they love, age 5 to 12.
May 27-31 - Hava Nashira This songleading workshop is for those who teach or lead music in camps, congregations, and community centers.
For more information or to register: www.osrui.org or 847.239.6984 or osruiprograms@urj.org
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