An orientation to the Union for Reform Judaism in the 21st Century -- is a self-guided PowerPoint tutorial which can be viewed at your convenience.

1. URJ UNIVERSITY URJ 101

2. As Reform Jews we are united by our beliefs:

3. We put these values into action in our communities, strengthening the community and ourselves. Study/Youth Group Congregational Community Volunteer Minyan Sisterhood/Brotherhood

4. The URJ connects individual congregants and congregations to the community of Reform congregations in North America.

5. Together we address challenges and seek solutions.

6. Connected We Build a Brighter Future

7. Connected we build a brighter future The URJ connects Reform communities in North America (and hundreds of other Liberal/Progressive/Reform congregations around the globe) to create a dynamic network of clergy, professionals, lay leaders, and congregants.

9. At Events (e.g. Biennial, Forums, Think Tanks)

11. Connected we build a brighter future The URJ connects Reform communities in North America (and hundreds of other Liberal/Progressive/Reform congregations around the globe) to create a dynamic network of clergy, professionals, lay leaders, and congregants. By bringing together the collective ideas, experience, and expertise of over 900 congregations, we offer programs and services that strengthen the Reform Jewish Movement.

13. Specialized and tested curricula for formal and informal education programs from preschool through adult;

14. Tools and resources to make an impact on social justice and legislative activity in Washington, D.C., through the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism and on religious pluralism in Israel through the Israel Religious Action Center;

15. Educational tools and resources that reinforce Jewish learning (e.g. 10 Minutes of Torah, Torah Study Webinars) and help people live a committed, caring and meaningful Jewish life;

16. News and opinion relating to the Reform Movement through tools like Reform Judaism magazine;

18. Connected we build a brighter future The URJ connects Reform communities in North America (and hundreds of other Liberal/Progressive/Reform congregations around the globe) to create a dynamic network of clergy, professionals, lay leaders, and congregants. By bringing together the collective ideas, experience, and expertise of over 900 congregations, we offer programs and services that strengthen the Reform Jewish movement. Our member congregations benefit from creative programming ideas, ongoing consultation and problem solving, formal and informal education opportunities, and much more.

20. Congregational support during challenges and crises;

21. Consultation and problem-solving resources such as the Congregational Consulting Group and Specialist Networking Groups;

23. In Their Own Words Connecting through the Congregational Consulting Group: “Words are not enough to express how much I have grown both professionally and personally. Working with [URJ Specialist] Cathy Rolland has been one of the most rewarding experiences. Her knowledge in the field of Early Childhood Education and Early Engagement, along with an ability to partner with others in creating a vision, has been critical to the success of our ECC Task Force.”-Sue Tolchin, Westchester Reform Temple

24. Connected we build a brighter future The URJ connects Reform communities in North America (and hundreds of other Liberal/Progressive/Reform congregations around the globe) to create a dynamic network of clergy, professionals, lay leaders, and congregants. By bringing together the collective ideas, experience, and expertise of over 900 congregations, we offer programs and services that strengthen the Reform Jewish movement. Our member congregations benefit from creative programming ideas, ongoing consultation and problem solving, formal and informal education opportunities, and much more. Our progressive, inclusive approach connects six thousand years of Jewish tradition and values with modern Jewish experiences. In doing so, we are building a brighter future for Reform Judaism, and changing lives for the better.

26. NFTY- North American Youth Group;

27. Network of 13 North American camps and Israel experiences for teens and young adults;

28. Answering the imperative to work toward social justice through the RAC;

31. Congregational Consulting Group (CCG) - Providing expert advice and consultation on everything from nursery school curricula to facility management;

32. Youth and Teen Programming (NAC/NFTY) - North American Youth groups, camps and Israel experience programs;

33. Training the next generation of rabbis (HUC-JIR);

34. Religious Action Center (RAC) - The most established, most respected Jewish lobbying presence in Washington, DC

35. URJ Events and Publications;

38. Pension/retirement services for congregational professionals;

39. Professional, customized congregational websites (and support);

41. Congregational Consulting Group (CCG)

43. 13 camps serving over 8800 families in 2010;

45. Religious Action Center (RAC) The Religious Action Center: The Reform Movement’s Washington office, A resource for Reform Jews and others across North America on public policy Consults on issues of social justice in the US and Canada Brings the Reform Movement to Washington, D.C. and Washington, D.C. to the Reform Movement Advocates for the positions of the URJ at the North American level Gives congregations and individuals the tools and information that they need to be effective advocates The Religious Action Center trains High School students, college students and rabbis Reform Jewish advocates at the Consultation on Conscience

47. URJ Books and Music – publishing and distributing educational and sacred works essential to every congregation and individual

49. How we do it Each congregation is geographically located in one of four URJ District Councils. URJ lay leaders and their staff partners serve the Reform Movement and its member congregations in a variety of capacities through their work on the North American Board of Trustees and on District Councils. Each District Council is led by: a District Chair a First Vice Chair Multiple Portfolio-Specific Vice Chairs a Secretary and multiple District Council Members-at-Large

51. Many congregational leaders look to the collective wisdom and experience of theURJ network to help them strengthen programs, worship reform, curricula, etc.;

53. Thank You… Your work connects the Union for Reform Judaism to congregations throughout North America. Together we strengthen Reform Jewish congregations and Reform Judaism. Every call, every contact is an opportunity to transform lives and repair the world. Thank you for joining us in this sacred endeavor.

54. THE END