Dear Friends,
On this Kol Nidre, in this season of introspection, we’re called upon to look inward—to measure ourselves honestly, to identify areas where we can grow, and to set our course for the year ahead. But our personal reflection is incomplete unless we also look outward, considering where we stand as a Jewish people—and as a Conservative/Masorti movement.
You’ll notice I describe us as a Conservative/Masorti movement. In North America, we identify as Conservative; elsewhere, we are known as Masorti. Different names, different challenges, but one movement. Wherever we are, we must strive to be united.
As we have for centuries, we Jews live in a world that seeks to weaken us—making us scapegoats and pulling apart the strands of our identity. It tries to separate what cannot be separated: our religion from our peoplehood, our peoplehood from our land. We must stay strong, clear about who we are, and steadfast in purpose.
Yet, clarity about who we are as a movement is not always simple. We are not one thing, not easily reduced to a single label. Too often, others define us by what we’re not: not Reform, not Orthodox, somewhere in between on a one-dimensional spectrum of observance. But we are far more than that. We are a movement of depth, authenticity, and vision—rooted in tradition, engaged with the present, and enriched by the diversity of our voices.
For we are a people of many perspectives—on Israel, on how we engage the intermarried and intermarrying, how we respond to the broader political forces around us, and more. Our task is not to erase these differences but to hold them, celebrate them, to remain one people who can disagree passionately and yet stand together with shared strength. The very friction within our interpretations sparks our vitality.
We are a vibrant community of communities, each with its own character and spirit. Yet together we form a united force, bound by sacred conversation and a shared commitment to halakha—the wisdom of Jewish law applied thoughtfully to modern life. Our rabbis serve as mara d’atra, spiritual guides for their communities. We are egalitarian in practice, inclusive by design, and celebratory of diversity in expression. And at our core, we believe in a State of Israel that is secure, democratic, and religiously pluralistic. That is the essence of Conservative/Masorti Judaism.
In a world pulled to absolutes and extremes, we embrace complexity and nuance, creating a Jewish home where all can feel a sense of belonging.
Our movement is not static. We move—carefully and with intention. Like the earth turning on its axis and orbiting the sun, our movement generates energy, change, and renewal. Conservative/Masorti Judaism offers a path that nurtures growth, deepens purpose, and infuses life with meaning, connection, and joy.
At USCJ, our mission is to strengthen synagogues for lasting vitality, engage and inspire the next generation of Jewish leaders, expand learning and connection through innovative resources like ExploringJudaism.org, and amplify the voice of our movement across North America and the wider Jewish world.
We believe that a strong movement nurtures strong congregations, just as strong congregations fortify the movement. These are not competing goals but complementary forces, working in synergy to ensure a vibrant Jewish future.
Your support makes this work possible. Please consider a gift to USCJ today to strengthen our communities and sustain our movement for generations to come.
We have endured for thousands of years. We will endure now. But endurance is not enough. Each of us must take up the call: to lean more deeply into our communities, to connect more fully with our Judaism, and to celebrate what makes us who we are. In doing so, we strengthen ourselves, our movement, and our people, standing resilient against those who would divide us.
May this new year bless us with strength, unity, and renewal—so that together, as a Conservative/Masorti movement, we continue to build a joyful and enduring Jewish future. Chazak, chazak, v’nitchazek—be strong, be strong, and let us strengthen one another.
G’mar Hatima Tovah,
Andy Schaer
President
USCJ
