User loginNavigation |
MidatlanticMishkan Shalom "One Book Miskhan" Panel Discussion this SundayWhen: Sunday, May 4th, 10 - 11:30 am
Reconstructing the Megillah: Or Hadash Commissions First Truly Reconstructionist Megillat Esther
An Unusual Megillah This article originally appeared in The Forward and is reprinted with permission. The Scroll of Esther is getting a makeover from several kids in Pennsylvania, a Reconstructionist scribe and a computer graphics program. Congregation Or Hadash, a small Reconstructionist synagogue located in the Philadelphia suburb of Fort Washington, has commissioned a sofer to create a megillah that incorporates drawings by students in its religious school.
PRAYING WITH LIOR plays Philly starting March 14!
Praying with Lior asks whether someone with Down syndrome can be a "spiritual genius." Many consider Lior close to God-- though he's also a burden, a best friend, an inspiration and an embarrassment, depending on who is asked and when. As this moving and entertaining documentary moves to its climax, Lior must pass through the gateway to manhood - his Bar Mitzvah. After scoring Audience Awards for Best Documentary at THREE film festivals, glowing reviews from the New York Times to ABC News, and a smashing box office open in New York, Praying with Lior comes home. A valentine to the Philadelphia community, Praying with Lior will open at the Bala Theater on March 14th. Turnout opening weekend determines the length of the run, so come early and spread the word to your synagogue, church, facebook pals, women's group, men's group, book club! Stars Lior Liebling, Anna Liebling, Rabbi Mordechai Liebling and Lynne Iser, as well as director Ilana Trachtman will be at the theater at different screenings opening weekend for Q & A. The Bala Cinema is located at: STAY TUNED FOR MORE INFO!
Report from the First Harmoniyah Retreat - November, 2007
Music is flowing in the Reconstructionist movement! Voices raised with kavanah, moving renditions of favorite classics, and brilliant interpretations of liturgy seamlessly intermingle with fresh explorations of the meaning of God, Torah and Israel in their broadest sense.
Praying with Lior: Film Wrestles with Judaism, Disability
The film tells the story of Lior Liebling, a member of congregation Mishkan Shalom in Philadelphia, whom his community calls "the little rebbe." Lior has Down syndrome, and has spent his life praying with utter abandon. As Lior approaches bar mitzvah, the movie poses difficult questions such as What is disability? And who really talks to God? Read the New York Times story about the film and
PEARL - Using the Web and Newsletters for Successful Community Building and EngagementMay 14 2008 - 7:00pm May 14 2008 - 8:30pm Join us for PEARL: Providing Education and Resources for Leadership. In the fast paced and ever-changing world of technology and marketing, congregations must be innovative in order to effectively reach out to their congregants. Using best practices and new models for engagement, this workshop will highlight exciting models for sharing the ongoing life of your congregation, enhancing your website and newsletter, and using both to mobilize members to be active in the community. This session will be offered in-person for congregational leaders in driving distance of the JRF offices at Beit Devora (Jenkintown, PA). Click here to register for this and other PEARL sessions. PEARL - How Do We Run a Successful Congregational Fundraising Event?Apr 2 2008 - 7:00pm Apr 2 2008 - 8:30pm Join us for PEARL: Providing Education and Resources for Leadership. Planning a fundraising event can be nerve-wracking: What will be successful? How much will members contribute? Who will organize the details? Will members resist being asked for additional funds? What is a reasonable scope for our event? Alleviate your nerves – and those of your congregation – by exploring answers to these questions, and more. This session will be offered in-person for congregational leaders in driving distance of the JRF offices at Beit Devora (Jenkintown, PA). Click here to register for this and other PEARL sessions. PEARL: Providing Education and Resources for LeadershipAs part of its North American Leadership Series, JRF is proud to present PEARL: Providing Education and Resources for Leadership. Throughout the coming months, we will offer a series of conference calls on a wide variety of topics important to congregational leaders. Topics range from dues structures and running a successful fundraising event to growth and volunteer development to the rabbi-congregation relationship and using Reconstructionism in synagogue processes, and more. These real-time distance learning sessions will be facilitated by a senior member of the JRF staff and will include best practices from selected congregations. We are pleased to provide this service free-of-charge to all JRF affiliates. It is our belief that by providing congregational leaders with the resources and experiences needed for growth, each of our communities – and the Reconstructionist movement as a whole – will benefit. Click here for registration and a full list of offerings. For more information, please contact Isaac Saposnik at isaposnik@jrf.org
Mitzvah Day at Kehilat HaNahar in New Hope, PA
The activities were funded through a grant from the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia. For additional resources on hunger and poverty see: http://www.jrf.org/hunger
Experiential Learning, Barbie Dolls, and Fondue: The Biennial Reconstructoinist Educators of North America RENA Conference
The theme of the RENA conference was “Experiential Learning” with a focus on how to incorporate the style of programming from Camp JRF into our schools and congregational education models.
|