Leadership Connections #52: February 5, 2024

Leadership Content

News, thought leadership articles, and past event information

Featured Article:

New – Passover Your Way Toolkit

We recently shared our Passover edition of our new Holidays Your Way Series. We’re excited to share this kit with you as an added value and with gratitude for your USCJ membership! We will be sharing these resources for all major holidays to help you engage with your communities. View full email here.

• Please Send us Your Photos for the Next USCJ Calendar
  There is still time to submit your photos!
  This year our theme is Our Jewish Journey. We want to see photos of the Jewish holidays and simchas that fill your year. Every Jewish community has a unique Jewish journey, a mix of the Jewish holidays we all celebrate and other celebrations that take place such as weddings, brises, B’nai mitzvahs, birthdays and so much more. We want to capture these moments and showcase the diverse and beautiful communities that make up our USCJ network of synagogues. Please send us your photographs that you think exemplify this theme. Submit photos here.
• This Month’s Top Read Articles on Exploring Judaism
  Read the top three most read articles on Exploring Judaism from December! 

  1. Prayer for Kidnapped Israelis – Exploring Judaism2. The Shabbat Prohibitions – Rabbi Michael Katz in “The Observant Life”

  3. Why Separating Meat and Dairy is Part of Keeping Kosher – Rabbi Paul Drazen in “The Observant Life”

USY Updates

• Introducing USY’s Monthly Newsletter
  Shalom! We are thrilled to welcome you to the first edition of our newsletter, a vibrant tapestry of news, insights, and exciting happenings within our USY community. As we embark on this journey together, we invite you to explore thoughtful insights into Judaism, stay aware of the dynamic developments in Israel, and dive into the heartwarming stories unfolding within our youth group. Read it here.
• USY Summer Programs Registration is Open!
  4 Reasons for Teens to Spend Summer with USY:
  1. Develop their own Jewish identity
  2. Embrace the Jewish community across North America
  3. Deepen their connection to Israel and create and make an impact
  4. Create memories that will last a lifetime

  Register TODAY!

• USY LEAP Grants Second Round- Deadline to apply is February 15th!
  We are excited to announce another opportunity for our USY and Gesher chapters, USY LEAP (Local Engagement and Partnership). USY LEAP is a program meant to encourage groundbreaking programming and innovation in the local USY chapter. The ultimate goal is to support the chapter in the ability to reach out to more teens and engage them on the chapter level. We strongly encourage multi-chapter programs when able.Past recipients have used their funds to reduce costs for an interchapter program, off-site programs and additional staff support to do outreach to potential members.
  Deadline for Applications is February 15. Learn more and apply here.

USCJ Digital Marketplace

• Featured USCJ Digital Marketplace Vendor: BluePoint Alert Solutions
  BluePoint is a Rapid Emergency Response System that provides immediate notification to first responders and building occupants upon an activation. We have been installed in many Jewish facilities, including the SCN Headquarters in Chicago, across the country along with a growing list of Jewish Federations. Our BluePoint system does three very important things: First, it immediately notifies first responders. Second, it immediately notifies building occupants. Third, it can immediately notify your local community – All with one simple activation, that happens electronically, eliminating the need to remember who to call and what to say, therefore reducing the risk of human error during a crisis. We’d welcome the chance to share our story with you and discuss how BluePoint could and would bring value to your organization.Learn more on USCJ’s Digital Marketplace.
• Featured USCJ Digital Marketplace Artist: Siona Benjamin
  Meet our newest Artist, Siona Benjamin!Siona Benjamin is a painter originally from Bombay, now living in the US. Her work reflects her background of being brought up Jewish in a predominantly Hindu and Muslim India. In her paintings she combines the imagery of her past with the role she plays in America today, making a mosaic inspired by both Indian miniature paintings and illuminated manuscripts.Highlight Commissions
  Torah Covers – Dix Hill Jewish Center

  Torah Curtain and Torah Cover – Private Commission

  Ark Curtain and Table Cover – Congregation Ohev Shalom 

  Porcelain Tile Floor – Private Commission

  Ketubahs
  Ketubah – Private Commission

  Ketubah – Illuminated Wedding Contract – Private Commission

  Learn more on USCJ’s Digital Marketplace.
  Visit her website here to view her works.

• Faces and Voices: Webinar Recording
  From our recent webinar with Eric Winick of Winick Marketing and Advocacy, learn about free and inexpensive ways to tell the story of your organization. Explore different ways to foster connections between your best spokespeople and prospective members or donors.View slides here and recording here.
  Learn more on USCJ’s Digital Marketplace.

From Our Partners

• Join the Social Justice Commission
  The Rabbinical Assembly has composed a Movement-wide Social Justice Commission (SJC). This volunteer group is open to any USCJ community leader (staff and lay), Women’s League or Men’s Club member, Movement partner member, RA/CA member clergy, NAASE or JEA member, and faculty, staff, and students of AJU, JTS, Seminaro, and Schechter Institutes. The SJC is actively seeking new members. For any questions, please reach out to Jacki Honig, Social Justice Project Manager, [email protected].
• The RA Bookstore Has Two New Discount Codes
  Discount Code for RA/CA members:
  The Member Discount is available to RA & CA members ordering on their own behalf. This is a 35% discount that applies to the entire order with no quantity minimum using the code 5784member.Discount Code for Movement-Affiliated Institutions:
  The Movement Discount is available to Conservative / Masorti affiliated institutions as well as unaffiliated institutions that employ RA or CA members as clergy. This is a 35% discount that applies to the entire order with a minimum order cost of $160 before shipping or discounts, or minimum order quantity of 20 books. Eligible institutions can use the code 5784movement to receive this discount on qualifying orders.

USCJ Events

Upcoming events from USCJ
To register and learn more click the event name

• 2/6 1pm ET [Webinar]
  New Operational Effectiveness Demo: Meet our Two New Marketplace Vendors – Shulstreaming and BluePoint Alert Solutions 
• 2/6 8pm ET [Webinar]
  February Small Congregations Leadership Gathering
  
  
• 3/14, 15, 17 11am – 3pm ET each day [Virtual Seminar]
  Sulam for Presidents

Movement Partner Events

Upcoming events from our partners
To register and learn more click the event name

• RespectAbility’s Guide to Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance & Inclusion Month (February) 
• 2/8 2-3:15pm ET [Webinar]:
  Threats & Risks Under the NSGP 
• 2/9-10 [Special Shabbat]:
  National Council of Jewish Women’s Repro Shabbat
  
  
• 2/11 [Global Event]
  FJMC & WLCJ’s World Wide Wrap
  
  
• 2/25 [Virtual Seminar]:
  International Seminar for Halakhic Study: Driving Teshuvah Redux 
• 3/10-13 [Annual Educator’s Conference]
  JEA’s 72nd Annual Conference – contact Rabbi Robin Foonberg, Executive Director of JEA, at [email protected] 
• 3/14 2-3:15pm ET [Webinar]:
  FEMA Guidance and Q&A 
• 7/2-28 [Summer Program]
  AJU’s BCI 26-Day Young Adult Summer Program

SYNAGOGUE SPOTLIGHT

Want to be featured? Click here to nominate your community.

We’re Hiring!

Come join our team! We’re hiring the following positions.

• USY Program Coordinator (Part-Time)
• USY Program Coordinator (Part-Time SWUSY)
• USY Program Coordinator (Part-Time ECRUSY)
• Racial Justice and Inclusion Specialist

Click the link here to view all of our open positions. Please share with anyone you think would be interested.

Questions?

District synagogue consultants are available to offer guidance on a variety of issues. Find your district and look up your synagogue consultant’s contact information by clicking here.