Jewish Reconstructionist Federation

THE JRF'S WESTERN REGION MISSION

The JRF’s Western Region mission is to build a Reconstructionist Kehillah shel Kehillot. Our “community of communities” will provide an environment that: celebrates and respects each Kehillah's unique minhag (practices), enables each Kehillah to thrive and achieve its goals, while also stimulating connection, communication, and sharing of best practices within the region.

Regional leadership will serve as the first point of contact for Affiliates, ensuring that they become aware of the JRF’s North American initiatives and available resources. Regional leadership will expedite connections to such resources and other solutions and services that affiliate members value as helpful to achieving their objectives. Leaders will also facilitate synergies within the region and seek opportunities for the Western Region to be an integral part of the entire movement’s Kehillah shel Kehillot, with the intention of fostering growth, innovation and inspiration.

Special Thanks to the Planners Team (past and current):

Marlene Bellamy, Dor Hadash
Mark Bregman, University Synagogue
Charlean Clemons, Temple Beth Sholom
Ron Glickman, University Synagogue
Sandy Goldman, B’nai Havurah
Ros Goldstein, Dor Hadash
Andy Gordon, Havurah Shalom
George Greenberg, Malibu Jewish Center & Synagogue
Judith Havas, Temple Beth Sholom
Sheldon Kardener, Kehillat Israel
Rich Levine, Beth Evergreen
Alan Marcum, The Keddem Congregation
Linda Schibel, Kehillat Israel
Devorah Servi, Regional Director
Myrna Sigman, Convention Co-Chair

Some expressions of our mission statement already include:

· The existence, either regionally or subregionally, of education director, affiliate president, and rabbinic “affinity groups” who meet regularly, either by telephone or in person

· Special topic affinity groups on topics such as Leadership Development programs, Capital Campaigns, Strategic Planning, and others to be launched this spring

· Invitations of affiliates to other affiliates, or their leadership, to attend programs or communal simchas (e.g. Havurah Shalom’s recent Scholar-in-Residence program with Dr. Tamar Kamionkowski, Temple Beth Sholom’s fall Torah Trek, and the sharing of Reconstructionist speakers in Southern California’s Reconstructionist Spirituality Institute)

· Referrals to other affiliates in the region who have experience with particular community issues and programs, such as staffing changes, interfaith youth programming, adult education models, creating a positive board culture, planned giving, etc.

Do you have ideas of how to further "live out" the kavannah (intention) of this mission? If so, please contact Regional Director, Devorah Servi at dservi@jrf.org.