Board of Trustees

Leadership Training

• A Congregational Self-Evaluation: Heshbon Hanefesh K'hilati
  A 4-part questionnaire for your officers and rabbi covering topics such as kashrut in the congregation; Shabbat in the synagogue; Jewish educational standards and programs from nursery to college; privileges/responsibilities of membership in our synagogue as well as limits defined for non-Jewish individuals. To order, contact your regional office or the Synagogue Resource Center, ext. 2205.
  
  
• "Being a Leader"
  Publication containing thoughts on leadership through the eyes of the Bible and the Rabbis. Different aspects of leadership are introduced through the use of traditional Jewish sources.
  
  Cost: $1 each. To order, contact the Youth Department, ext. 2327.
  
  
• IMUN Lay Religious Leadership Training Program
  A popular 9-day program held twice annually at Camp Ramah, Wingdale, NY, in the summer and at Camp Ramah Darom, Clayton, Georgia in the spring. The program is designed to teach and further strengthen lay religious leadership skills. Sessions cover such areas as synagogue services, Torah reading (cantillation), texts for speaking, life-cycle events, holidays, pastoral situations, Jewish law and practices, the religious school, Conservative Movement ideology and resources.
  
  Cost: $875. To apply, contact Rabbi David Blumenfeld, Department of Services to Affiliated Congregations, ext. 2612.
  
  
• Leadership Training Seminars
  An interactive presentation by the Department of Leadership Development. A 3-hour session for your entire Board of Trustees. Topics include: Setting Goals and Missions for Each Committee; Building Priorities into Consensus; Building Congregational Spirit; New Membership; and Writing a Mission Statement. Over 200 presentations in eight years.
  
  Rabbi Moshe Edelman, Department of Leadership Development, ext. 2205.
  
  
• SULAM 20/21
  A program to train synagogue vice-presidents and new presidents for their role as congregational president. Scholarship grants for every participant. Session to be held March 14-17, 2002 at Hilton Hotel at Newark Airport in New Jersey. Nineteen programs have already prepared 454 vice-presidents. Brochure available. SULAM 20 was conducted November 15- 18, 2001 in Cleveland, Ohio.
  
  Rabbi Moshe Edelman, Department of Leadership Development, ext. 2205.

Resources/Publications

• Listserve for Congregational Presidents
  An e-mail exchange open to affiliated synagogue Presidents, Immediate Past Presidents, Presidents-elect, and Regional Presidents, allowing them to dialogue with one another and with Central Office staff on a wide range of topics pertaining to running a synagogue. Any subscriber may post questions or share his/her views. To subscribe, send an e-mail to listserver@uscj.org, leave the subject blank, and in the body of the message type SUBSCRIBE PRESIDENTS Your Name.
  
  
• "Manual for the Congregational President"
  Detailed guidance for an incoming congregational chief executive. No charge for single copies. To order, contact the Department of Regional/Extension Activities, ext. 2207.
  
  
• "Manual for the Regional Leader"
  Detailed guidance for an incoming regional officer. No charge for single copies. To order, contact the Department of Regional/Extension Activities, ext. 2207.
  
  
• "We Are the Serve in Conservative Judaism"
  A lively, informative pamphlet briefly outlining USCJ's functions and services. Produced especially for the Conservative congregant. To order, contact the Department of Public Affairs, ext. 2601.
  
  
• "Questions and Answers about The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism"
  Leaflet summarizing the work of our various departments and touching on the history of the Conservative Movement. Also lists constituent arms of the Movement. To order, contact the Department of Public Affairs, ext. 2601.
  
  
• "Building Strong Congregations for the 21st Century" (Video)
  A ten-minute video describing the many ways in which the United Synagogue interacts with and serves our member congregations. Contact your regional office to arrange a presentation.
  
  
• "The United Synagogue and You: A Guide for the Synagogue Board Member"
  Booklet detailing the history of the United Synagogue as well as its current structure, including the work of its many departments. Includes standards for synagogue practice. To order, contact the Department of Public Affairs, ext. 2601.