October 27-29 2006
Seaboard Region Shabbaton and Convention
The Carousel Hotel
Ocean City, MD

Theme: L'Aylah u'l'Aylah - Higher and Higher
INSPIRING AND HELPING PEOPLE TO MOVE UP THE LADDER OF
STUDY, OBSERVANCE AND MITZVOT

Click here to register online or click here to download the 2006 registration brochure(.pdf)
Please register directly with the Carousel Hotel 1-800-641-0011, ASK FOR THE SPECIAL CONVENTION RATE FOR USCJ

Scholar in Residence:

Rabbi Naomi Levy

Rabbi Naomi Levy, founder and spiritual leader of Nashuva, a groundbreaking Jewish outreach organization in Los Angeles, is a unique and passionate voice in the contemporary Jewish world. Through Nashuva, Naomi has been involved in drawing hundreds of unaffiliated Jews back to a Judaism that is soulful, committed to social justice, meaningful, relevant and fun.

The Jewish Forward just listed Rabbi Levy as one of the 50 most influential Jewish leaders in the nation. A nationally famous author and speaker, Naomi attended Cornell University where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa and Summa Cum Laude. She was in the first class of women to enter The Jewish Theological Seminary’s rabbinical school. At the seminary, Naomi received honors as outstanding underclass student of Talmud and outstanding underclass rabbinical student. She became the first female Conservative rabbi to head a pulpit on the West Coast where she helped revive Congregation Mishkon Tephilo and transform it into a center of life and learning.

Naomi’s first book, To Begin Again, (Knopf) became a national bestseller. She has appeared on NBC’s Today Show and on Oprah, and has been featured in Parade, Redbook, Self, The Los Angeles Times, The Boston Globe and Los Angeles magazines. Naomi lectures widely on topics of revitalizing faith, spirituality, healing and prayer. Naomi’s latest book, Talking to God, (Knopf) teaches us how reclaiming personal prayer can transform our relationship with God.

Naomi has been keynote speaker at the Harvard School of Public Health on healing the violence in our society. She has been a repeat keynote speaker for the American Cancer Society on the issue of healing and resiliency. Naomi has been keynote speaker to scores of Jewish organizations and temples. She has also been keynote speaker to rabbis and cantors both Reform and Conservative on the issue of revitalizing synagogue life, prayer, sermons and ritual. Naomi was chosen by her movement to teach Conservative rabbis nationwide how to breathe new life into the High Holidays. Naomi was selected by the Los Angeles Times Outlook as one of the 100 most influential people in LA. Her writings and prayers have been excerpted by numerous organizations including the American Jewish World Service, which recently distributed her Prayer for Overcoming Indifference encouraging people to recite it at their Passover Seders.

When Hurricane Katrina struck, two New Orleans rabbis contacted Rabbi Levy to commission her to create a prayer for victims of natural disaster. Rabbi Levy’s prayer for Hurricane Katrina victims was recited in synagogues and churches throughout the nation.

Rabbi Levy lives in Venice Beach, California with her husband, Robert Eshman, editor-in-chief of the Los Angeles Jewish Journal and their children Adin and Noa.

Convention Highlights

• Scholar-in-Residence Rabbi Naomi Levy
• Creative, lay-led services
• Interactive study sessions
• Wonderful Workshops, including Forging The Chain, Pro-Israel Activism,
  Opening The Gates of Torah, Keruv, Inspiring Our Youth and more
• Recognition of outstanding synagogue programming.
• Election and Installation of regional officers
• Individual consultations available through USCJ

Registration for Sunday Attendees
Shacharirt
Breakfast
Discharge and Installation of Officers
Dr. Raymond Goldstein
USCJ International President
Jerold L. Jacobs
Outgoing President, USCJ Seaboard Region
President’s Address
William O. Bresnick
Incoming President, USCJ Seaboard Region
RABBI NAOMI LEVY, Scholar-In-Residence
WORKSHOP SESSION #1
please select one

A.“Forging the Chain: Transmitting our Heritage Across Generations” Paula Horowitz USCJ Seaboard Hazak Chair

B. Pro-Israel Activism in the Synagogue: Strengthening the U.S–Israel Relationship Dr. Richard Lederman National Director of Synagogue Initiative, AIPAC
 
C. Keruv/Edud: Welcoming and Inspiring Interfaith Families Rabbi Richard White Beth Israel, Salisbury
Dr. Steven Huberman USCJ Director of Regions
 
D. Opening the Gates of Torah: Including People with Disabilities in our Congregational Community
Naomi Yadin-Mendick Chair, Special Needs Entry Point, PJLL
 
E. Rabbi Naomi Levy Scholar in Residence Q & A
 
F. “Makom Bishvili“, Finding a Place in the Conservative Movement after USY and Koach: A Conversation about Young Adults Shira Kaplan USCJ Seaboard Region Youth Director Isaac Woloff USCJ Seaboard Region Assistant Youth Director Josh Bender Hillel Director of Graduate Services
 
General Session and Lunch
 WORKSHOP SESSION #2   please select one
 
A. When the Vow Breaks: The Caring Community’s Response to Domestic Abuse Rabbi David Rose Congregation Har Shalom, Potomac
 
B. Pro-Israel Activism in the Synagogue: Strengthening the U.S.-Israel Relationship
Dr. Richard Lederman National Director of Synagogue Initiative, AIPAC

C. Keruv/Edud: Welcoming and Inspiring Interfaith Families Rabbi Richard White Beth Israel, Salisbury Dr. Steven Huberman USCJ Director of Regions
 
D. Rabbi Naomi Levy Scholar in Residence Q & A
 
E. Inspiring Our Youth: USY and Kadima Shira Kaplan Director of Youth Activities Isaac Woloff Assistant Director of Youth Activities
 
F. Presidents Exchange

Mincha and Adjournment  

Regional Executive Board Meeting