The USCJ Presidents List

Request subscription to join the Presidents Listserv.

The Presidents' List (known as a listserv or listserver) is here to help congregational presidents and the synagogue further the growth of Conservative Judaism. We try to do this by sharing information and ideas. You do not have to reinvent the wheel. If you have a question about synagogue issues -- governance, administration, programming, -- and so on -- this is the place to ask it.

Appropriate topics are limited to matters of synagogue administration or issues directly related to the Conservative movement.

Your hosts on the list are Bruce Littman and Don Miller. We both have been active in synagogue life and serve in leadership capacities nationally and in our United Synagogue regions. Several staff members are also available to help. Use this list to find out how other congregations deal with the issues that confront synagogue leaders. Please feel free to share with the other members of the Presidents List. Tell us what has worked for you and what has not worked. What is the biggest challenge you face? Working together, we can achieve the vibrant success we all desire for each of our synagogues.

Guidelines

Please be aware of a few guidelines for this list:

1. When you post a message to Presidents@uscj.org the message is sent to every subscribed member of the list. We will all be able to read your note. Please send messages by using the "new message" button on your email program. Do not hit "reply," "reply all," or "forward" to send a message to the list. Instead, compose a message from scratch so that it will stand alone.
2. Do not copy what others have said into your message.
3. As leaders, we should maintain a respectful attitude towards each other and be mindful of each other's sensitivities.
4. The list should not be used to resolve personnel matters.
5. Do not use this list on Shabbat or Yom tov.
6. "Sign" all of your posts with a "signature file" in the following format:

   Yaacov Benisaac <name>
   President - Sulam Grad <title +indicate if you've been to Sulam>
   Cong. HaRishon (225) <congregation name + # of member units>
   Anytown, ST <city and state or province>
   mailto:yaacov@hr.com <important-no spaces - mailto:+e-mail address>

7. Do not send administrative messages to the list, trying to take care of such matters as changing your e-mail address or dealing with technical problems. Please talk to one of the administrators privately.

Shul Forms Archive

United Synagogue is hosting an archive full of forms that you can download and use (although you must check with your own attorneys before entering into any legal agreements using them). To look at the archive, click here.

Settings

To set your subscription to digest (so you will receive one summary message containing all the day's messages), send an e-mail to listserver@uscj.org . The subject line should read NO SUBJECT and the message should be SET PRESIDENTS DIGEST. Include no other text.

You can also view archives of the list.

If you are asked, you must first create a login password in order to see the old messages. You can post a message from there as well.

Should you choose to unsubscribe from the list you have the power to do so. Simply send an e-mail to listserver@uscj.org, leave the subject line blank and type UNSUBSCRIBE PRESIDENTS in the message section.

If you are going on vacation and want to turn off your mail, send an e-mail to listserver@uscj.org, leave the subject line blank and type SET PRESIDENTS NOMAIL in the message section.

When you return, send a similar email with the message SET PRESIDENTS MAIL.

Solomon Schechter founded the United Synagogue with the belief that shared knowledge and resources would magnify our strength. We hope that your time on this list will be enjoyable and educational and will assist us all to achieve Dr. Schechter's vision.

We look forward to your participation.