Mid-Continent Region

Member Services



Mid-Continent Region and USCJ
Can Assist You And Your Synagogue With....


Leadership Development

Office Management

Fund Raising

Professional Placement

Books

Bulletins and Other Publications

Social Action Ideas

Education Programs

Youth Programs

College Programs (Koach)

Resources for Small Congregations

Singles Programs

Center for Conservative Judaism

For Synagogue Presidents


Leadership Development

In order to allow each new congregational president to build on the experience of others who have done the same task in the same congregation or in other congregations, United Synagogue has a number of resources to train and enrich leaders and to allow them to share experiences. Among them are:

1. Our region's Executive Director, Michael Landy, is eager to work with you to address issues within your congregation.

2. Our region's president, Richard Helfand, is happy to discuss questions with you as well.

3. A program, the Sulam Challenge, to train synagogue vice-presidents to become effective presidents, is held in twice each year throughout North America. Contact Rabbi Moshe Edelman at the central office.


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Office Management

Lacking this? Wishing for better? If the flow of work in your congregation's office, assigning tasks, or simply making things run isn’t what it could be, ask for help.

1. Start with Michael Landy who can put you in contact with experts in our region who have experience with the same dilemmas, and with experts at the central office.

2. Call on Harry Hauser, Executive Director of the North American Association of Synagogue Executives (NAASE).

 
3. For computer questions contact Marty Kunoff. Marty is the Director of the USCJ Department of Computer Operations. He is available to consult with you regarding hardware and software purchases and creating a synagogue web site.

4. For information on Insurance Programs for congregations and individual members, contact Flora Camhi

, Director of the USCJ Department of Operations. Programs for liability insurance and supplemental health insurance for seniors are available.


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Fund Raising

Fund Raising ideas are available! Michael Landy can provide help with specific questions or to share your successes.


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Professional Placement

Looking for a rabbi? While the Rabbinical Assembly is the primary source, Michael Landy is ready to help.

Looking for a cantor? The Cantors Assembly is the primary resource.

3. Executive Directors: The organization of Executive Directors is NAASE. For placement information contact placement@naase.org.

 
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Books

The USCJ Book Service has many publications from siddurim to texts for schools.


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Help with your congregation’s bulletin is not far! Check out USCJ: Synagogue Publicity.


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Social Action

Need help with ideas and insights in this important area of synagogue life?  Click Social Action Information for help!

 
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Education

The Department of Education has many resources at the ready – and consultants to help you issues of import. Click here to get their help.


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Youth Programs

When people think of United Synagogue, they think of USY and Kadimah. These youth programs bring thousands of teens together providing the opportunity to meet, study and celebrate Jewishness together. The Pilgrimage to Israel, USY on Wheels and other summer programs are second-to-none in their quality and ability to help young people grow.  There’s so much more the Youth Department than you might think. Click here for further details!

Our Regional Youth Staff is Bryan Goltzman Director and Gila Drazen, Assistant Director. They can give you information on both Emtza and SWUSY programs and help you with your chapter too.

Our Region’s two Youth Commission chairs are:

Ferne Farkas for SWUSY * Jimmy Rosenbloom for Emtza

Of course, you can contact Jules Gutin, the National Director, for further information.


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College Age Program (Koach)

*******Beyond USY is Koach directed by Richard Moline, for college age students.  To join the Koach e-mail list, click here.


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Resources for Smaller Congregations

******USCJ has help available customized for smaller congregations. Beyond the help available from the region, Rabbi Marty Pasternak is the central office staff who has responsibility in this area.  The Imun Program provides training for helping in congregational life.

 
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Singles

There is a connection for Singles at USCJ too – Reshet. There’s an e-mail listserve which you can join by clicking here.


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The Center for Conservative Judaism in Jerusalem

**USCJ has a place in Jerusalem as well – 2 Agron Street. The Fuchsberg Center is a place to visit to learn and experience what Israel has to offer. Learn about The Conservative Yeshiva and other opportunities.


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Resources for Synagogue Presidents

Serving as a synagogue president need not be done alone. USCJ has training available and a listserv specifically for presidents, Click here to sign up.


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