CONNECTIONS 2009 PROGRAM
(* = not yet confirmed)
CONNECTIONS 2009 will include an extensive variety of educational, inspirational and entertaining sessions that touch on the matters of Reform Jewish living that affect us all - no matter where we live.
Please note: - All sessions will be conducted in English.
- Topics and speakers are subject to change
Thursday, March 19th, Jerusalem
11:15-12:30
The 21st Century Synagogue
We will examine cutting-edge programs that reflect the changing nature and challenges of synagogue life in the 21st century. How can we think outside the box to better respond to the changing expectations and needs of our synagogue members?
Chair:
Ruth Cohen (Israel)
Speakers:
Rabbi Meir Azari (Israel)
Rabbi Jeffrey Kamins (Australia)
Rabbi Lenny Thal (USA)
The Progressive Rabbinate: What Progressive Leaders need to hear today from tomorrow's RabbisThe 21st Century Synagogue
This session will be a personal encounter with rabbinical students attending movement rabbinical seminaries in the UK, Germany, and Israel. Through the personal stories of the students mixed with frank and open discussion, we will learn what motivates today's young adults to choose a career in the rabbinate, their vision for their rabbinate, why our movement is not attracting more rabbinic students and what our movement could and should be doing to increase the number of Progressive rabbis for the future.
Moderator:
Rabbi Joel Oseran (Israel)
Speakers:
Anna Gerrard (UK, Leo Baeck College)
Dalia Tibon-Lagziel (Israel, HUC)
Natalia Verzhbovska (Russia, Geiger College)
Ayelet has two Mommies – The New Jewish Family
How have the boundaries changed in today's world with new constellations being formed within Jewish families? How do we combine Torah with the new Jewish family and how do our synagogues respond to these special needs? Is Progressive Judaism truly at the forefront when it comes to welcoming the New Jewish Family? Come learn more about a growing part of our community.
Chair:
Gordon Smith (UK)*
Speakers:
Rabbi Elliott Kleinman (USA)
Rabbi Danny Rich (UK)
Rabbi Galia Sadan (Israel)
What Do (Jewish) Women Want?
Prominent female leaders of the Reform Movement reflect on their personal stories and their roles in Jewish family, community and political life.
Chair:
Shelley Lindauer (USA)
Speakers:
Rabbi Pauline Bebe (France)
Nani Beutel (Canada)*
Anat Hoffman (Israel)
Ania Mazgal (Poland)*
Perspectives on Patrilineality in Progressive Jewish Communities Worldwide
Not all Progressive, Reform or Liberal congregations accept patrilineal Jews for purposes of determining Jewish status. This session will examine a variety of positions regarding this controversial issue and help clarify the implications for our international movement.
Chair:
Steve Lurie (SA)
Speakers:
Rabbi David Gelfand (USA)
Rabbi Alex Lyskovoy (Russia)
Rabbi Menno ten Brink (The Netherlands)
Top Tips for Reform Communities – How to Weather the Current Economic Storm
Is the credit crunch biting away at your good work? Come to this practical workshop for some survival tips for your congregation, region or organization.
Chair:
Mike Grabiner (UK)*
Speakers:
Jim Heeger (USA)
Shai Pinto (Israel)
Judy Smith (UK)
The Post-Soviet Jew – Living a Jewish life in the FSU
What it means for a growing number of Jews in the former Soviet Union who are finding their spiritual and cultural identity through Progressive Judaism as offered by the World Union.
Chair:
Anne Molloy (USA)
Speakers:
Rabbi Grisha Abramovich (Belarus)
Evgeniy Leshenko (Russia)
Alex Kagan (Israel)
Maria Ukradyzhenko (Russia)
Jewish Responses to Power and Powerlessness: From Talmudic Ambivalence to Zionist Yearning
Israel repeatedly hears the phrase “a disproportionate response by Israel.” What are the acceptable parameters of power and, therefore, what are the acceptable parameters of powerlessness? Over 60 years ago, the Jewish people regained their sovereignty, but as we have found out, even sovereignty has its difficulties.
Chair:
Steve Olson (USA)
Speakers:
Rabbi Rich Kirschen (Israel)
14:45-16:00
Opening Our Minds and Hearts to God
How do we address Jews’ deep longing for God when we are so uncomfortable with the “G-word”? How can synagogues facilitate the search for ultimate meaning, a purposeful life in uncertain times and in cultures dominated by materialism? This stimulating workshop will present a variety of ways to address our spiritual needs, including meditation, contemplative study, prayer practice, mussar groups, journaling and spiritual autobiography.
Chair:
Diana Marcus (USA)
Speaker:
Dr. Linda Thal (USA)
Responding to the Needs of Interfaith Families in Our Congregations
How are World Union communities dealing with the issues surrounding interfaith families among their constituents? Are more rabbis now officiating at interfaith marriages? Are congregations encouraging the non-Jewish spouse to convert to Judaism? How do mixed marriages affect the children regarding identity, life cycle events, etc.
Chair:
Felix Mosbacher (France)
Speakers:
Rabbi Gary Bretton-Granatoor (USA)
Rabbi Jonathan Romain (UK)
Rabbi Burt Schuman (Poland)*
Is the Well Running Dry? Fundraising in Tough Times
This session’s experts will help us understand how to cope with the current economic crisis, how to sustain or even increase revenue from local sources, and how your efforts can help the World Union raise funds to support Reform professionals and programs worldwide.
Chair:
Alex Dembitz (Switzerland)*
Speakers:
Rabbi Gary Bretton-Granatoor (USA)
Reflections on Authenticity and Reform Jewish Spirituality: Adult Jewish learning
Progressive Jews take Torah seriously, but not literally. And we all know that Jewish knowledge and discussion is key to Jewish leadership. This is an opportunity to learn about entrepreneurial approaches that are innovative and instructive.
Chair:
Arthur Roswell (USA)
Speakers:
Michelle Bernshaw (Australia)*
Rabbi Rich Kirschen (Israel)
Women in Congregational Life: Using our Power to Effect Change
Women of Reform Judaism talk about their work around the world and the impact they have had on women's spirituality, leadership training, youth, social action and advocacy at the local level.
Chair:
Resa Davids (USA/Israel)
Speakers:
Anat Perelman (Israel)
Rosanne Selfon (USA)
Monica Solomon (SA)
Helene Waranch (USA)
Where the Action Is – World Union Travel Opportunities and Missions
A nuts-and-bolts opportunity to learn how your congregation, with planning assistance from the World Union, can organize a mission to fascinating World Union destinations such as St. Petersburg, Warsaw, Prague, Budapest, Paris, Milan, Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro. Visits to these Progressive Jewish communities are the best way to create personal connections within our global Progressive family.
Chair:
Jim Cherney (USA)
Speakers:
Rabbi Andrew Goldstein (UK)
Reeva Forman (SA)
Rabbi Sharon Sobel (Canada)
Jerry Tanenbaum (USA)
Our Diaspora in Australia, New Zealand & Hong Kong
Far from Eretz Israel and the numerous Reform constituents throughout North America, Progressive Jews down under and across Asia sustain vibrant and connected communities. Listen to their leaders talk about their efforts and successes.
Chair:
Penny Jakobovits (Australia)
Speakers:
Steve Denenberg (Australia)
David Robinson (New Zealand)
Sharon Ser (Hong Kong)
The Poets of Jerusalem: From Yehuda Halevi to Yehuda Amichai
Yehuda Halevi, who came to Jerusalem from Spain, was regarded as the greatest of all the medieval Hebrew poets. Yehuda Amichai, who came to Jerusalem from Germany, was Jerusalem’s best-known and well-loved modern poet. Contemplate the complex of attitudes to Jerusalem that these two great poets represent in their poetry as their poems spin a dialogue of love and tension between two such different eras.
Chair:
Jan Mühlstein (Germany)*
Speaker:
Steve Israel (Israel)
16:15-17:30
The Jewish Community in a Time of Uncertainty – lessons from the past
From global instability to economic uncertainty, Jewish tradition is rich with teaching and preaching, as our people have been through this before. Come mine the sources for timeless learning.
Chair:
Stephen Moss (UK)*
Speaker:
Rabbi Professor Marc Saperstein (UK)
Is the Medium the Message? Getting our message across to the Internet generation
Living in an era of cutting-edge information technology and new media which includes: social networks, virtual communities and user content generation is gradually shaping the way we act, share, meet, consume and communicate. Let's examine the many media possibilities and challenges together, as we seek to strengthen our message and expand our reach.
Chair:
Ron Cohen (USA)*
Speakers:
Dov Abramson (Israel)
Rabbi Nathan Alfred (Belgium)
Lior Zalmanson (Israel)
Love Your Neighbor as Yourself
We will explore ways for your congregation to implement Tikkun Olam on a community scale, going beyond the usual food drives and clothing collections.
Kehilat Tzedek is a multi-denominational training center for developing social activism in Jewish communities in Israel. Founded jointly by the Reform and Conservative movements in 2005, it now partners with Orthodox and Unaffiliated (Secular) communities as well.
Chair:
Lesley Sachs*
Speaker:
Tanya Zion Waldoks (Israel)
I Do, or I Don’t – Rabbinic Officiation at Same-Sex Marriage
The Progressive rabbinate is far from united regarding officiation at same sex marriage ceremonies. Listen to the divergent points of view and ramifications of the issue for our worldwide movement.
Chair:
Rabbi Danny Rich (UK)
Speakers:
Rabbi David Ariel-Yoel (USA)
Dr David Bilchitz* (SA)
Rabbi Dow Marmur (Israel/Canada)
The Art of the D'var Torah
A session designed for lay leaders to understand how to effectively prepare and deliver a D'var Torah. Learn how to use the biblical and rabbinical text in developing your next D'var Torah.
Chair:
Jeffrey Rose (UK)*
Speaker:
Rabbi Mark Goldsmith (UK)
B'Shana Haba'a B'Yerushalyim
There are many roads to the promised land. This session will explore different models of aliyah to Israel, raising questions about the way in which our communities around the world confront the issue of "going up to Israel."
Chair:
Paula Edelstein (Israel)
Speakers:
Rabbi Stanley Davids (USA/Israel)
Evgeniy Leshenko (Russia)
Yuval Nemirovsky (Israel)
The renewal of Jewish life in Europe
Meet and get to know the Jewish leaders who have nurtured the rebirth of Reform, Progressive and Liberal communities throughout continental Europe, and find out how you can get connected.
Chair:
Rabbi Andrew Goldstein (UK)
Speakers:
Rabbi Reuven Bar Ephraim (Switzerland)
Rabbi Katalin Kelemen (Hungary)
Lea Muehlstein (Germany)
The Torah – A Women's Commentary
The five daughters of Zelophehad in the Book of Numbers approach Moses, the leaders of the people and the entire community, refusing to be left out of their rightful share of their inheritance. They ultimately get what they want and, as a result of their courage, a new Torah law is created that benefits future generations long after them. Their story is the story of the WRJ's The Torah: A Women's Commentary. The Women of Reform Judaism said: 'Give us a share among our brothers. We are no longer willing to be left out.'
Chair:
Judith Hertz (USA)*
Speaker:
Rabbi Naamah Kelman (Israel)
Sunday, March 22nd, Tel Aviv
11:00-12:15
IMPJ 2020
Different perspectives – educational, rabbinical and social – on the future of the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism and its potential to attract self-described Jews.
Chair:
TBA
Speakers:
Michal Immerman (Israel)
Yaron Sharvit (Israel)
Rabbi Sa'ar Shaked (Israel)
Gusti Yehushua Braverman (Israel)
"Arzenu Matters": International Progressive Zionism and Global Jewish Issues
A panel discussion and audience dialogue on the philosophical, as well as practical, level of how Reform and Progressive religious Zionists should engage with Israel. The tools that ARZENU and constituent chapters around the world can offer to help create a means for doing this, will be the focus of this workshop.
Chair:
Steve Breslauer (USA)*
Opening Statement by Rabbi Richard G. Hirsch (Israel):
Progressive Judaism and Zionism – an evolving relationship
Speakers:
Joan Garson (Canada)
Dalya Levy (Israel)
Tamara Schagas (Israel)
Raise the Ruach
A workshop on bringing creative t’filah into your own Progressive, Reform or Liberal community.
Chair:
Susan Klau (USA)*
Speakers:
Micah Diamond (USA)
Avivit Katzil (UK)
Rabbi Ofek Meir* (Israel)
Peri Smilow (USA)
A Middle East Political Analysis SESSION IS SOLD OUT
The Middle East is a complex region of the world, filled with tensions and contradictions. This session will delve into both national and regional politics, analyzing the interplay with religion, economics and social dynamics.
Chair:
Jim Breslauer (USA)*
Speaker:
Paul Liptz (Israel)
Israelis at the Margins of Society
The State of Israel was founded on the basis of socialism and equality. Today, society faces numerous challenges as a result of Israel's shift toward capitalism. We will discuss how we can retain our original ideals, while continuing to grow and prosper amid the current circumstances.
Chair:
Paula Edelstein (Israel)
Speakers:
Anat Hoffman (Israel)
The New Era of Progressive Judaism in Latin America
An enlightening discussion of the experiences of the continent’s many communities and the challenge of living with different socio-economic scenarios; plus a look at important questions regarding the future direction of these communities in response to the demands of their members.
Chair:
Miriam Vasserman (Brazil)
Speakers:
Raul Gottlieb (Brazil)
Rabbi Marcelo Polakoff (Argentina)
Marvin Sossin (Costa Rica)
The Land of Israel: An Echo of Eternity?
Although Progressive Jews have always had mixed opinions regarding the idea (and complexity) of the Jewish state, we seldom discuss how Progressive Jewish tradition relates to the actual concept of Eretz Yisrael – "the promised land,”" the "holy land." What are the connections and theological positions of Progressive Judaism today at the beginning of the 21st century regarding the Land of Israel? Is the Land of Israel truly an Echo of Eternity?
Chair:
Harvey Cohen (Israel)*
Speaker:
Rabbi Michael Marmur (Israel)
12:45-14:00
Twinning Opportunities within the World Union Family
Help your home congregation build a bridge to a World Union community abroad and make the connection come alive. This session will explain concrete steps that your congregation can take to create and maintain a meaningful twinning relationship with congregations in Israel, the FSU, Europe or Latin America.
Chair:
Lois Zeidler (USA)
Speakers:
Cherie Half (USA)
Kathryn Michael (UK)
Debbie Pulik (Israel)
Les Rothschild (Canada)
The Future is Now …
Today’s youth are tomorrow’s promise. We will explore the newest and most successful ways to instill in Jewish teens and young adults a commitment to living Progressive Jewish lives.
Chair:
Dennis Gilbert (USA)
Speakers:
Deborah Blaustein (UK)
Dani Fessler (Israel)
Maoz Haviv (Israel)
Anna Gerrard (UK)
Sharing Tikkun Olam
If you care about rebuilding lives, touching souls and social action challenges around the world, then join this workshop as we connect Am Yisrael, Torah and social action into one inclusive educational experience.
Chair:
Dr. Philip Bliss (Australia)
Speakers:
Rabbi Alex Dukhovny (Ukraine)
Maxwell Reiss (Australia)
Rabbi Ruben Sternschein (Brazil)
To Be or Not To Be… a Jew in Israel: The politics of conversion in the Jewish State
How is Progressive Judaism in Israel combating the Orthodox monopoly on the conversion process?
Chair:
Rabbi Mark Winer (UK)
Speaker:
Rabbi Gilad Kariv (Israel)
Whose Story? Israeli and American Identity in the works of Amos Oz and Philip Roth
A look at the lives and writings of two authors who have been seen as representative of their respective communities: Israel and Jewish America. By looking at their autobiographies and the reception of their works, we will learn about how Israelis and Jewish Americans see themselves, and how this has changed over time.
Chair:
Hilda ten Brink (Costa Rica)
Speaker:
Prof. Hana Wirth-Nesher (Israel)
Living a Jewish life in North America
How do America’s and Canada’s 1.5 million Reform Jews manage to preserve their heritage as modern citizens in an assimilated, democratic society? Learn about the goals, structure and programs of the Union for Reform Judaism from one of its longest-standing and most illustrious leaders.
Chair:
Austin Beutel (Canada)
Speakers:
Rabbi Danny Freelander (USA)
Rabbi Elliott Kleinman (USA)
Making Sense of Public Jewish Culture: In Israel and the Diaspora
So often in Jewish life we speak about religion, but we almost completely ignore the idea of culture. What is the impact of living in a dominant culture that is not Jewish, or in a country where the dominant culture is Jewish? Learn to decode the conscious and unconscious messages that are sent by the surrounding dominant culture.
Chair:
Lenore Mass (USA)*
Speaker:
Rabbi Rich Kirschen (Israel)