The NEW International Biennial Convention of The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism

A convocation of workshops, seminars, institutes, meetings, and academies for leaders of United Synagogue congregations.

December 4-8, 2005
Boston Park Plaza Hotel Boston, MA

Opening address
by Rabbi Harold Kushner

Vendor Alert!
It is less than a year away and we are already gearing up for a wonderful convention. This year the USCJ will be in Boston. We are anticipating a good group of attendees from all over the country and local folk coming in to shop as well. If you have a favorite vendor and would love to see them at convention give us their name and we’ll see that they are invited.

Contact: Jo-Anne Tucker Zemlak
at either 301-230-0801 x 2
or online at Zemlak@uscj.org.

Framework for Excellence
When you are from the USCJ Department of Education, a truly special moment at Convention occurs when the Framework for Excellence Certificates are awarded. If your school has come into Framework since our last Biennial, we are hoping that you mark the date on your calendar and plan to be there in person to receive your plaque. If your school hasn’t come into Framework just yet, why not use the month before Convention as your date for submitting all of your Framework documentation for approval?

To learn more about what your school needs to do to be named a Framework for Excellence School, contact Wendy Light at either light@uscj.org
or 215-869-1830.

Synaplex
A flexible format of cultural, educational, spiritual, and social events offering expanded opportunities to learn, gather, pray, and enjoy synagogue together. Come learn about this exciting program and how to introduce it to your congregation. Presented by Rabbi Hayim Herring and [ --] Exec. Dir. STAR (Synagogoue Transformation and Renewal), Synaplex creators.

Marketing Your Congregation / Membership Recruiting and Retention
Learn how to excite your existing members and attract new members to your congregation's services, programs, and religious school.

Renovate, Add-on, or Build From the Ground Up
Find out how to be successful at this lengthy, exciting and challenging chapter in the history of a congregation.

Plan to attend this stimulating and informative gathering for:

Delegates may choose from the following sessions (list subject to change): ·

Additional offerings from

SOLOMON SCHECHTER AWARDS - The 2005 Edition!

Every two years, the prestigious Solomon Schechter Awards are presented at the USCJ International Biennial Convention to recognize excellence in congregational programming and to help spotlight "models" that may be emulated by other synagogues of USCJ.

The Awards are presented in diverse categories, recognizing that all aspects of synagogue life require hard work, commitment, and creativity. Categories range from Education, to Worship and Ritual, to Judaica, Fine Art and others. Entries are judged by a panel of experts in their field.

Won't you consider sharing your successful programs with your fellow Conservative synagogues, and then bask in the limelight of well-deserved recognition for your efforts? The participation of many congregations helps us to learn where the Movement is -- and should be -- headed.

Please remember that a special volume, describing all winning entries in detail, will be disseminated to all affiliated congregations (as well displayed on the USCJ website) so that others may benefit from these programs. In addition, winning entries will be prominently displayed at Convention 2005 as a prime example of what our synagogues are capable of achieving.

Applications will be available in January. Please check your synagogue mail.

Last month we met Irv Nitkin of the Convention Program Committe. Now we are pleased to introduce

Richard Skolnik, Marketing Committee Co-Chair

Richard is past president of Bellmore Jewish Center, a past president of the New York Metropolitan Region, a past chair of the Council of Regional President, and a former Treasurer of The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. He is currently serving as Int’l Vice President of Direct Mail Fundraising, he’s the guy responsible for sending you those calendars, labels, greeting cards, and CD’s. In addition, Judy Yudof tapped Richard as her budget chair two years ago which has been an awesome responsibility. Richard in his spare time is the Executive VP/Sales & Marketing of Data Communique Int’l a print publishing firm located in Carlstadt, NJ. He has been married to Sherry( who he met in USY) for 38 years, and they have two children Jeffrey who is married and lives in Philadelphia, and is a third year fellow in pediatric oncology at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. His daughter Frann is the sous pastry chef at Picholine Restaurant in New York City.

Dr. Ray Goldstein, Underwriting Committee and Marketing Committee

Ray currently serves the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ) as Vice President for Service to Congregations. He is the Immediate Past-Chairman of the Council of Regional Presidents of USCJ, previously having served as president of the Central States and Provinces Region (now part of the Mid-Continent Region) of USCJ and as a president of Beth El Synagogue in Omaha, NE.. Ray and Jody, his wife of 36 years, reside in Rochester, MN. They are members of Beth Jacob Congregation, Mendota Heights, MN, Sons of Abraham, La Crosse, WI and Beth El Synagogue, Omaha, NE.

In addition to his work on behalf of USCJ, Ray is a member of the Board of MERCAZ. In Rochester he serves as President or the Rochester Civic Theatre and is a member of the Olmsted County Environmental Commission.

Dr. Goldstein is president of a technology firm in Rochester. He holds a doctorate in Animal Behavior and Ecology. His career began as a faculty member at Creighton University in Omaha. Jody is an Elementary School Principal. Jody and Ray have two daughters, Heather Kelln and Stephanie Johnson of Omaha, NE.

For additional information please e-mail Convention@uscj.org