Professionals and leaders are invited to submit workshop proposals for USCJ Convention 2017, the largest gathering of Conservative Jewish leaders, thinkers and doers in North America.

The Jewish world is changing at a rapid pace, and at USCJ Convention 2017, we will dare to question the assumptions we bring to the Jewish present and to inspire our communities to embrace the emerging Jewish future. Participants will learn what it means to talk about core Jewish practices using new language; how thriving congregations embrace twenty-first century families; and how experiments in innovation can provide us with clues to navigate the present.

Help shape the discussion by submitting a proposal around one of these three tracks:

1. Create New Paradigms: The Jewish Community and Jewish institutions will look different in the twenty-first century, and we can turn challenges into opportunities if we embrace new models of thinking and doing. These sessions will provide case studies on how communities can embrace the changing role of synagogues, the increasing presence of interfaith families, evolving financial structures and new definitions of Jewish engagement.

2. Elevate Key Jewish Moments: Certain key Jewish moments will define whether or not the next stage of a person’s Jewish life is attached or detached to deep Jewish Community. These sessions will focus on how we ensure that teenagers, empty nesters, millennials and others feel that Jewish communities are at their best at pivotal moments in a person’s Jewish journey.

3. Renew Our Fire: Jewish institutions are no substitute for Jewish passion, and we need to help one another remember what burns at the center of our Judaism. These sessions will provide insights into how our communities do prayer, study, social justice, Israel, and learning.

USCJ Convention 2017 will include a variety of opportunities for presenters to teach and inspire, including workshop sessions, panels, and table talks during meals. We will strive for balance in our presenters in terms of gender, sexual orientation, geography, backgrounds and institutional affiliations so that we can showcase the mosaic of outstanding leaders, professionals, and kehillot. All sessions must empower participants to do meaningful work when they return to their communities.

Applications are due by Monday, April 3, 2017 at 5:00 pm EST. If you have any questions, please contact Rabbi Joshua Rabin at rabin@uscj.org.