by Conservative Jewish College Students of America The students of KOACH were shocked and dismayed by the news that the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ) has eliminated the KOACH/College Outreach program. A student fueled campaign to keep KOACH running led to one last successful year; including the signature KOACH Kallah shabbaton. For more than two decades, KOACH-on-Campus was the sole organization committed to providing a Conservative Jewish experience on North American college campuses. In its final year, KOACH reached students on over 50 campuses. While KOACH (hebrew for strength) might only have a few days left as an organization the students involved will certainly maintain their koach. With the declining numbers of self identified Conservative Jews, it is unfortunate to … [Read more...]
Moving Forward with Renewed Koah: Putting Student Leadership to the Test
The Kids Still Sing and Dance
by Rabbi Dave Levy The Jewish community has been abuzz about the recent Jim Joseph Foundation study “Effective Strategies for Educating and Engaging Jewish Teens.” This important study highlights 10 key areas of learning, as well as another 10 implications for strategy development. I am grateful for this study and the structure it provides for an important conversation about our future work. The study encourages us to create a community of peer organizations that, while already existing informally, could really take flight with more coordination and effort. We at United Synagogue Youth (USY) immediately convened meetings to discuss the study and its impact on our work with USY. I look forward to sharing our findings and action plans in the future and I am looking forward to great outcomes for … [Read more...]
Can Synagogues Live By Dues Alone?
Some synagogues are exploring new ways to achieve financial sustainability. by Barry Mael Across the synagogue world there is one topic high on every board and staff agenda: financial sustainability. Lay and professional leaders from all denominations are grappling with how to create a fair, inclusive funding structure and at the same time allow the synagogue community to generate the dollars necessary to fulfill its sacred vision and mission. … [Read more...]
Investing in Conservative Jewish Life
by David Kaplinsky This summer, as I studied abroad in London and travelled through Europe, I did not expect that one of the major wonders I’d encounter would come via my connection and commitment to Conservative Jewish life. With no concrete Jewish program lined up for me this year, I had the lingering fear that after summers of Jewish camp, Israel trips, and other Jewish experiences I would be bereft of a Jewish community. However, I was happily proved wrong after my first Shabbat at the Masorti affiliated New London Synagogue (Masorti being the International equivalent of the Conservative movement), famously founded by early Masorti leader, Rabbi Louis Jacobs. Though the tunes were not always identical to those I knew, nor the synagogue architecture like any other I had encountered in the … [Read more...]
L’Dor V’Dor
by Douglas Kandl I have grown up as a Conservative Jew. I am a third generation member of Temple Beth-El Mekor Chayim in Cranford, New Jersey, and was very active in my United Synagogue Youth (USY) chapter and in the Hagalil Region of USY in high school. Since arriving at Pace University, I began working to start a Hillel chapter there, and with the assistance of the Director of KOACH, Rabbi Elyse Winick, I established a KOACH presence on campus. My grandparents and parents have instilled strong Jewish values in me, and I hope to see the Conservative movement thrive for many generations to come. Recently, the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ) announced the elimination of their college program KOACH. Within hours of the announcement, students from all over North America, including … [Read more...]
United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism Unveils Reinvention Strategy
In an effort to redesign the Conservative Synagogue movement in North America, the USCJ - in coordination with Hayom - have come together with a consensus plan for the future. The plan emphasizes not only a new way of doing things, but change, responsiveness and transparency. Addressed is the way Conservative Judaism see itself and presents itself, change in the way United Synagogue interacts with kehillot/synagogues, brands itself, and a new approach to movement education - in schools, camps and with their youth movements. It stresses USCJ’s commitment to total openness, to providing every opportunity for feedback, and to developing movement consensus. Organizationally this plan will manifest in USCJ operational change, in downsizing, in new governance, in a new leadership and a new means of … [Read more...]
