In order to allow each new congregational president to build on the experience of others who have done the same task in the same congregation or in other congregations, United Synagogue has a number of resources to train and enrich leaders and to allow them to share experiences. Among them are:

CT Valley Region Executive Director, Miriam Benson. Ms. Benson is especially eager to address your issues and visit your congregation.

CT Valley Region President, Steve Golub

The Sulam Challenge, a program to train synagogue vice-presidents to become effective presidents, is held in three locations each year throughout North America. Contact Rabbi Moshe Edelman at the central office. United Synagogue will underwrite part of the cost for eligible participants.

If you are having trouble organizing the flow of work in your congregation's office, assigning tasks, or simply making things run, ask for help.

1. Start with Ms. Benson who can put you in contact with experts in our region who have experience with the same dilemmas, and with experts at the central office.

2. Call on Suzanne Connell, a member of the North American Association of Synagogue Executives (NAASE). Ms. Connell is in our PALS (Program of Assistance by Liaisons to our Synagogue). You can reach Ms. Connell by phone (860) 236-1275, Fax (860) 231-8890, or email.

3. For computer questions contact Marty Kunoff. Marty is the Director of the USCJ Department of Computer Operations. He is available to consult with you regarding hardware and software purchases and creating a synagogue web site.

4. For information on Insurance Programs for congregations and individual members, contact Flora Camhi, Director of the USCJ Department of Operations. Programs for liability insurance and supplemental health insurance for seniors are available.

There are all kinds of ideas available. United Synagogue can tell you what has been successful and what has failed and put you in touch with people who can give you more information and ideas. Contact Ms. Benson with specific questions or to share your successes.

Rabbis: Ms. Benson can help shepherd your congregation through the process and can be your advocate. We recognize that for small or remote congregations there are special circumstances, which may require more imaginative ways of recruiting, and we can help with that.

A training workshop for rabbis making a transition to a new pulpit called "Eit Ratzon" is held under the auspices of the Joint Placement Commission of Rabbinic Placement, a partnership between the Rabbinical Assembly and USCJ. Rabbis who have recently been placed in a new pulpit as well as the presidents of those congregations are invited to attend this workshop which takes place annually at the Jewish Theological Seminary. Contact Ms. Benson for more information.

Cantors: The Cantors Assembly is the primary resource but Ms. Benson can be your advocate.

High Holiday Cantors, Educational Directors, Executive Directors and Youth Directors: Ms. Benson is your ongoing resources. Even if your congregation is looking locally, we can be of assistance.

USCJ recognizes that nurturing and enriching the relationship between the congregation and its professionals is as important as recruitment and is available to provide consultation.

The USCJ Book Service has scores of publications ranging from prayerbooks to books for your school to books on all aspects of Conservative Judaism.

The central office can provide consultation and advice regarding content, style and format. Contact Joanne Palmer, the editor of CJ: Voices Of Conservative/Mastori Judaism. To sign up for the listserv for bulletin editors, send a message to the List Server. Leave the subject blank and have the message read: subscribe bulletin your name - e.g. subscribe bulletin John Smith.

If you need insights regarding issues and their nuances, how to approach involving your congregation, how to involve other congregations, even outside the Conservative movement, contact Richard Lederman, Director of the USCJ Department of Social Action and Public Policy.

Youth and Adult Education are prime concerns of the Conservative movement and resources are extensive. Contact Rabbi Robert Abramson or Serene Victor at the central office to discuss your needs and ways to meet them. Ask Serene about the U-Step Program for Teacher Training.

If anything can be called the "premier" program of United Synagogue, this certainly is it. The program, in its broadest organic sense provides service to over 25,000 young people and their advisors and associated adult volunteers. Beyond the opportunity to bring Jewish youth together in congregation-based youth groups and programs where Jewish values are taught and implemented, USY and Kadima programs, through their regional and national conventions, help young people connect with others. This is especially important for those who live in small Jewish communities.

1. Marcus Fink, our Regional Youth Director, is skilled and sensitive. He can help you start a youth program from scratch or offer resources to your existing program.

2. Joe Gersten and Walter Morgenthaler are our Regional Youth Commission Co-chairmen for the committee, which sets the policy for youth activities within the region.

3. Jules Gutin is the International Youth Director for the central office. Extraordinarily gifted as a teacher and one who motivates, he is available to each of your youth programs as a resource.

Koach, directed by Richard Moline, oversees development of programs for Conservative college age youth on campus and supervises production of educational materials for students. To join the Koach e-mail network, send a message to the List Server. Leave the subject line blank and in the main message body type: Subscribe Koach your name - e.g. subscribe Koach John Smith.

Rabbi Paul Drazen in the central office works closely with small and/or isolated congregations. USCJ publishes "Torah Sparks", a weekly guide to the Torah portion with commentary and discussion questions. Contact Ms. Benson or Rabbi Paul Drazen.

The Imun Program is an eight day training institute for lay leaders in synagogue skills. A select number of participants are accepted into this intensive program offering lectures, workshops, and practical exercises which will enhance synagogue religious and leadership skills.

"Reshet", a project of the Singles Commission of USCJ, invites young Jewish singles (20's-30's) seeking to connect with each other to subscribe to Reshet (Hebrew for network). Reshet can help subscribers locate old high school, college or USY friends, meet new people, discuss Israel affairs, discuss the Torah portion, find an apartment in a Jewish neighborhood, or just schmooze. To sign up, send a message to the List Server. Leave the subject blank and have the message read: subscribe reshet your name - e.g. subscribe reshet John Smith.

The United Synagogue urges all our members who are planning trips to Israel to take advantage of the programs and resources offered by the Center for Conservative Judaism in Jerusalem. Located at 2 Agron St. in the heart of Jerusalem, the Center is delighted to work with you to make your trip to Israel the best it can be. Phone: 011-972-2-625-6386, Fax: 011-972-2-623-4127 email: yeshconv@netvision.net.il

1. The Center can help you plan the best visit, access special study programs, resolve irritating problems, and advise you on how to maximize the value of your time and experience in Israel.

2. Families planning a Bar or Bat Mitzvah in Israel may work with the Center to make all the necessary arrangements.

Due to the growing demand for increased networking and sharing of information among congregational presidents, USCJ has created a listsev. Use this listserv to find out how other congregations deal with the many issues that you face as a synagogue leader. To subscribe send an e-mail message to listserv@uscj.org, leave the subject blank, in the main message body type: SUBSCRIBE PRESIDENTS Your name