Events & Webinars
Welcome to the USCJ Events Page, your central hub for all upcoming trainings, webinars, and events designed to empower and connect our community. Whether you’re looking to enhance your leadership skills, stay informed on the latest trends in Jewish education, or network with peers across the movement, our diverse lineup of events has something for everyone. Explore our calendar and register today to stay engaged, inspired, and equipped to make a meaningful impact in your congregation and beyond. Don’t miss out on these opportunities to learn, grow, and lead!
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Leadership Development
Annual Big Read Conference: Nonprofit Imagineers
Option 1: Wednesday, Nov. 6 at 10 am PT / 1 pm ET
Option 2: Wednesday, Nov. 6 at 5 pm PT / 8 pm ET
Author Ben Vorspan will discuss how to cultivate and embrace a true Dreamer’s spirit in an organization designed to celebrate tradition. We will explore what it means to be innovative in a synagogue setting, how we can best set ourselves up for success when trying new and exciting things, and how to address the concerns of those who might not understand why “because we have always done it that way” can be detrimental to planning for a vibrant future.
Sulam for Imagineers
Seven-Month Cohort beginning Nov. 12
Application deadline is Sept. 18!
Sulam for Imagineers Action Cohort is a new 7-month curriculum for synagogues interested in transforming their congregations into inventive and creative environments. The program is led by Ben Vorspan and based on his book, The Nonprofit Imagineers. Click here to view the recording of the informational webinar.
Sulam for Presidents
3-day virtual conference: Dec. 5, 6, 8
Hundreds of synagogue presidents are alumni of our flagship leadership conference. Join USCJ’s leadership consultants Linda Sussman, Daniel Langenthal, Barry Mael, and Robert Leventhal for an impactful three-day virtual conference designed to help synagogue presidents make the most of their tenure.
Guide to Facilitating Successful Board Discussions
Wednesday, Dec. 11 at 5 pm PT / 8 pm ET
Facilitated by Linda Sussman and Daniel Langenthal
Have you ever found your board or committee meetings not as successful as you hoped? Have you struggled to keep people engaged? Do you have members who make the meetings more challenging? Then this is the workshop for you. Learn some basic skills to make your meetings successful.
Strengthening the Lay-Pro Relationship
Custom Workshops Scheduled For Your Team
USCJ leadership consultant Daniel Langenthal will conduct a custom two-hour workshop with your president, clergy, and executive director to strengthen relationships and make the most of your work together. Limited availability.
Operational Effectiveness
FY2024 Supplemental NSGP Funding Overview
Wednesday, 06 November 2024
3:30 – 4:30pm ET
Join the Secure Community Network (SCN), The Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), Orthodox Union (OU), and Anti-Defamation League (ADL) to discuss the FY24 Supplemental Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) funding, with a specific focus on updated guidelines, in order to better prepare for this new funding cycle.
The NSGP Award Implementation Process
Thursday, 07 November 2024
2:00 – 3:15pm ET
Join the Secure Community Network (SCN), along with a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) subject matter expert, for a workshop on the FY2024 Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) award implementation process, including how to complete the Environmental Historic Preservation Form (EHP) on Thursday, 07 November 2024 from 2:00-3:15 pm ET. This webinar is focused on current NSGP awardees but everyone is welcome to join to learn about the NSGP award implementation process.
Learning Lessons about Insurance Claims: Church Mutual Webinar
Wednesday, Nov. 13 at 11 am PT / 2 pm ET
Facilitated by Barry Mael
Join us for an insightful session as we delve into real-life claim scenarios. We’ll explore these incidents in detail, shedding light on how better preparation could have changed the outcomes. Our discussion will look into the losses from two perspectives: coverage and risk control. This will provide a comprehensive understanding of the situations and the steps that could have been taken to mitigate the risks.
We’ll dissect the coverage aspect, examining how different insurance policies respond to these incidents and where gaps in coverage may exist. We’ll also look at the risk control standpoint, discussing preventive measures and strategies that could have been implemented to avoid or reduce the impact of these incidents.
Following our discussion, we’ll open the floor for a Q&A session. This is your opportunity to ask questions, share your thoughts, and engage in a dynamic conversation about these real-life claim situations.
Introduction to the FY2024/2025
Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP)
Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP)
Thursday, 21 November 2024
2:00 – 3:15pm ET
Join Secure Community Network (SCN), Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) and expert panelists for an overview of the upcoming NSGP grant application process as we get ready for the FY2024/2025 NSGP grant season.
Ten Commandments for Good Budgeting and Internal Controls
Tuesday, Dec. 10 at 10 am PT / 1 pm ET
Facilitated by Barry Mael
In preparing for the upcoming budget season, this webinar will assist synagogue leaders in developing a strong financial planning process and provide tips for monitoring synagogue finances and internal controls for the year to come.
Resilient Revenue: Strategies for Sustaining Fundraising During Global Uncertainties
Thursday, Jan. 9 at 10 am PT / 1 pm ET
Speaker: Avrum Lapin
Some say that timing is everything… but with fundraising, it’s always the right time. There is always an excuse not to move forward with a fundraising campaign—but even more so, it’s usually outweighed by compelling reasons to continue. We will look at the stories and messages that your synagogue can use to confidently move forward with your fundraising campaigns despite global uncertainties. This approach is uniquely relevant today in light of October 7 and Israel’s war against Hamas, the rise in antisemitism around the world, and more generally when local, national, or international events might give you pause to start or continue a campaign.
Unlocking Generosity: A Deep Dive into Family Foundations, DAFs, and Legacy Giving
Thursday, March 6 at 10 am PT / 1 pm ET
Speaker: Avrum Lapin
When it comes to fundraising, sometimes it is just as important to know what to ask for as how you ask. Wealth can be held in a variety of ways and each one has its own mechanisms for philanthropic distribution. We will explore DAFs, family foundations, legacy giving, and other wealth management tools—and how you can approach and work with congregants who use these mechanisms to contribute to your synagogue campaigns.
Engagement & Programming
Let’s Talk Social Action Beyond the Basics
Thursday, Nov. 7 at 11 am PT / 2 pm ET
Facilitated by Jo-Anne Tucker-Zemlak
Social action is a cornerstone of synagogue life and a meaningful gathering point for many communities. Join us in finding inspiration through the experiences of other synagogue leaders as they come together to share the creative social action projects that they have implemented and the helpful lessons that they have learned.
Affinity Group: Engaging Your Current Members
Thursday, Nov. 14 at 10 am PT / 1 pm ET
How can we think strategically and creatively about engaging continuing members? Please join us for a new peer discussion group open to every synagogue leader (staff and lay) involved in membership, engagement, and programming.
Creative Programming: Breathing New Life into Traditional Holidays
Tuesday, Dec. 3 at 11 am PT / 2 pm ET
Cosponsored with NAASE
Holiday experiences are central to Jewish life but don’t have to be predictable. We’ll showcase how synagogues have reimagined traditional holiday programming to create engaging, memorable, and meaningful experiences. Learn concrete examples of creative programming that can be adapted to your synagogue.
Youth & Education
Clergy-Educator Cohort Group Kick-Off
Thursday, Nov. 12 at 10 am PT / 1 pm ET
Cosponsored by the Jewish Educators Assembly, Rabbinical Assembly, and Cantors Assembly
The Jewish Educators Assembly (JEA) is excited to invite cantors and rabbis who are also serving as religious school directors to participate in a special cohort of clergy-educators.
December Delights: Engaging Interfaith Families Around the Holidays
Wednesday, Nov. 20 at 10 am PT / 1 pm ET
Cosponsored by the Jewish Educators Assembly
The “December Dilemma” phrase has signified the tensions and decision making that interfaith couples and families experience annually. It also represents an opportunity for synagogue educators to invite Jews and their beloveds of other faith backgrounds to fully engage in Jewish life and learning, thereby building stronger communal connections and a deeper understanding of the importance of Israel in identity formation and family dynamics. This presentation will illustrate that Chanukah “grew up” alongside Christmas in America and how celebrating differences fosters mutual respect, Shalom bayit (peace in the home), support for the Jewish state and Jewish continuity. Q & A will follow.
Movement Events: Save the Dates!
USCJ General Assembly
Sunday, Dec. 8
Noon PT / 3 pm ET
Hear an annual report and state of the movement from USCJ President Andy Schaer, USCJ CEO Rabbi Jacob Blumenthal, and our executive leadership. Every USCJ member has the opportunity to vote on USCJ’s Board of Directors slate and any new proposed bylaws.
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