The Movement for Reform Judaism

The massive URJ Biennial - the convention of the Movement's sister organisation in the States - took place in San Diego last month. In a series of articles we'll hear from some of the British participants as they share their experiences. Here Gita Conn of Menorah:Cheshire Reform Congregation, writes her letter from San Diego. 

Left to right: Judy Plaut (MRJ:Living Judaism), Gita Conn, Jonathan Lewis (standing) Sinai Synagogue, Leeds and Chair of the Northern Network of Reform Congregations, David Jacobs and Rabbi Brian Fox (Menorah).

Linda and Bobbie have come all the way from Plano, Texas but all they have seen of San Diego is the view from the gigantic Convention Centre.  They have joined nearly six thousand delegates at the Biennial Conference of the Union of Reform Judaism, with just twenty from the U.K’s Movement for Reform Judaism (this Correspondent from Menorah Synagogue: Cheshire Reform Congregation).

Linda and Bobbie have a mission…to find a Rabbi for their small, young community. Shouldn’t be too difficult – there must be more Reform Rabbis here than lions and elephants in San Diego’s famous zoo!

Every delegate wants to take something back to their own community. At the hundreds of workshops, presentations and study sessions they can find a new insight into Torah learning – from an excellent commentary published entirely by women,  how to cope with an ageing membership, inspire their youngsters, expand their congregations or improve their welcoming packs and websites.

The big events? Michael J. Fox, with Parkinson’s Disease, inspiring a tearful mega-audience on his consolation from the Judaism of his wife and sons; Rabbi David Saperstein, one of the most powerful men in Washington, urging the thousands to influence American politics right up to the Supreme Court; the almost hour-long sermon from URJ President Rabbi Eric H. Yoffie outlining the religious, political and Zionist agendas for the coming year.

All shared one aspiration however…to experience a Shabbat like no other. Imagine, a massive congregation of Jews instantly obeying the commandment relayed on five giant screens: ‘And on the Seventh Day, the children of Israel turned off their cell phones and pagers and sat down to pray.’

The lady Rabbi enjoined:  “Feel the holiness”, the golden-voiced, glamorous Chazanit sang, backed by a hundreds-strong choir and orchestra. The tunes were familiar from the pre-Conference C.D. package, the transliterated Hebrew words and Siddur page numbers were flashed on the multi-screens.

Cameras relayed the joyful fervour of the participants and the irrepressible dancing in the aisles to welcome the Shabbat.There’s nothing like it in Manchester, England and certainly not in Plano, Texas.  But if you do ever get to Plano, you’ll discover whether Linda and Bobbie succeeded in their search.“A Rabbi,” said Linda “is like a wedding dress. If you cry when your daughter tries it on, you know it’s the right one.” So, if the Rabbi’s sermon in Plano makes them weep…you’ll know Linda and Bobbie succeeded in their quest!

Those of us from the U.K. weren’t on the hunt for a Rabbi. (Menorah is very happy with Rabbi Brian Fox, thank you very much!) We were, in the words of Rabbi Daniel Freelander,URJ Vice President, warned at the outset that we would be “enlightened, enriched and…exhausted.”How true! There were so many ideas for innovation, education and worship that it is hard to know where to start.  Exhausted we may be…but the messages are being brought back here with an enthusiasm that will undoubtedly re-energise Reform Judaism in this country for a long time to come.

TrackBack URI for this entry

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed