USCJ Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center Accepting Reservations this Fall

The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism is pleased to announce that the USCJ Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center will begin accepting reservations this Fall for its new residential facility. According to Rabbi James Lebeau, Center director, “Groups, families and individuals can now arrange to stay in United Synagogue’s Alan J. Tichnor Residence Hall and Learning Center located on Agron Street in the heart of Jerusalem.” Besides guestrooms and dining rooms, the facility includes an auditorium, outdoor amphitheater, classrooms and meeting rooms.

USCJ Executive Vice-President Rabbi Jerome Epstein points out that for individuals and families traveling without a congregational group, the Fuchsberg Center can offer a variety of services, including the provision of general information as well as recommendations about itineraries and tour guides. In addition, visitors can make reasonable use of the Center’s computers, Internet and fax to maintain contact with home, work and family.

Judy Yudof, international president of the United Synagogue, notes that the Center continues to be helpful in arranging bar/bat mitzvah ceremonies and celebrations in Israel, including assistance in finding a venue, providing a Sefer Torah and securing a rabbi. The Center is available for meetings and conferences in addition to private functions and semahot.

Rabbi Lebeau points out that the Center’s dining room can accommodate visiting groups and he expects that many congregational groups will want to schedule a Shabbat meal at the Fuchsberg Center. He states that “not only do our rates compare favorably with those of neighboring hotels, but we are able to provide our guests with space for educational Shabbat programming.”

He further notes that visitors may choose to participate in Project Oded, the Center’s continuing education program, or they may schedule a study experience at the USCJ Conservative Yeshiva, a traditional, egalitarian institution.

As an additional service, the USCJ Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center can arrange home hospitality with local Masorti congregations and can facilitate personal encounters with Israelis as well as with North American students participating in Israel programs. A wide variety of volunteer projects for visitors is available through the Center’s Lipson Schilit Family Gemilut Hesed Project.

In addition to these services, congregational groups will receive assistance with reservations for use of the Kotel HaMasorti (an area of the Western Wall reserved for Conservative groups) and can also arrange for customized half-day, full-day or long-term educational programs designed in cooperation with the congregation's rabbi. Synagogue members may also join Yeshiva students for a typical day of study or request a specific topic to be taught by members of the Yeshiva faculty.

For reservations, contact Sami at iyhtb@iyha.org.il, phone 972-2-655-8442, or send a fax to 972-2-655-8432. Indicate your interest in the United Synagogue Fuchsberg Center on Agron Street. For special rates, identify yourself as a United Synagogue member.