Additional Features will include:

Plan to attend this stimulating and informative gathering for:

Delegates may choose from the following sessions (list subject to change): ·

Additional offerings from

SOLOMON SCHECHTER AWARDS - The 2005 Edition!

Every two years, the prestigious Solomon Schechter Awards are presented at the USCJ International Biennial Convention to recognize excellence in congregational programming and to help spotlight "models" that may be emulated by other synagogues of USCJ.

The Awards are presented in diverse categories, recognizing that all aspects of synagogue life require hard work, commitment, and creativity. Categories range from Education, to Worship and Ritual, to Judaica, Fine Art and others. Entries are judged by a panel of experts in their field.

Won't you consider sharing your successful programs with your fellow Conservative synagogues, and then bask in the limelight of well-deserved recognition for your efforts? The participation of many congregations helps us to learn where the Movement is -- and should be -- headed.

Please remember that a special volume, describing all winning entries in detail, will be disseminated to all affiliated congregations (as well displayed on the USCJ website) so that others may benefit from these programs. In addition, winning entries will be prominently displayed at Convention 2005 as a prime example of what our synagogues are capable of achieving.

Applications will be available in January. Please check your synagogue mail.

Last month we met Convention Co-Chairs Alan Karlsberg and Bruce Creditor. Now we are pleased to introduce

Irv Nitkin, Convention Program Committee

Irv is a past president of Congregation Beth Israel in Vancouver, BC, a past president of Pacific Northwest region, and is currently a vice-president of the international board of USCJ. He is currently a member of two synagogues, Har El in West Vancouver and Congregation Emanuel in Victoria. Irv has served on the boards of a number of Jewish organizations in Vancouver, including the Jewish Community Centre, Canadian Technion Society and the Jewish National Fund.

A retired structural engineer, Irv fills his days (and evenings) as chair of his strata council, volunteering for Jewish Family Service Association, and together with his wife of 42 years, Betty, visiting their grandson in Victoria, BC as often as possible. In keeping with the musical tradition of Biennial 2005 chairpeople, Irv took up the cello as a retirement project and hopes someday to be able to actually produce something that sounds like music.

For additional information please e-mail Convention@uscj.org