Temple Beth-El reimagining congregational education

Temple Beth-El is one of 16 Reform congregations in North America selected to participate in the newly formed Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) Community of Practice, dedicated to reimagining congregational education. This URJ Community of Practice (CoP) is a congregational networking group for Reform congregations that are seeking to discover new ways to innovate and experiment in congregational education. 

By participating in this initiative, Temple Beth-El will have the opportunity to meet with leaders from congregations with common interests to share ideas and experiment together with new strategies. Temple Beth-El will also have access to the URJ’s professional staff and expert consultants, some of the most renowned leaders in their fields.

“We are thrilled to have access to this process and the resources of the Reform Movement as we continue our transformative journey in the Rabbi Leslie Yale Gutterman Religious School,” said Rabbi Sarah Mack, Director of Education. Rabbi Howard Voss-Altman echoed these sentiments, adding, “We could not be more excited for the innovations we are implementing this coming fall. We feel that participation in this Community of Practice will only further enhance our educational mission and provide parents with greater access, convenience and substantive learning.”  

 “Across North America, people hunger for real connections. They want – they need – to be part of meaningful communities,” said URJ President Rabbi Rick Jacobs. “The URJ Communities of Practice will give Reform congregations opportunities to work together, take risks, explore new ideas, innovate and have unprecedented access to top experts.”

The 16 congregations in the Reimagining Congregational Education Community of Practice will work together formally for 18 months to push the boundaries of existing congregational efforts. Participating congregations will receive guidance from peers and advisors to experiment in their own communities, create congregational innovations, and garner skills that will benefit all areas of congregational life. Rabbi Sarah Mack; Joie Magnone, Youth and Family Engagement Coordinator; and Amy Orth, School Board Chair, will all be participating in this program.  Joie Magnone relayed the excitement of the whole team, “We are looking forward to sharing our experience with other congregations in the Reform movement and learning from them as well.”  

This Community of Practice is a joint effort between the Association of Reform Jewish Educators (ARJE) and the URJ. There will be monthly virtual gatherings and e-learning opportunities. In addition, congregations will receive coaching, support, and consultation to support the planning and implementation of educational experiments. Results of these strategic experiments will be shared with congregations outside the Community of Practice and with the Reform movement at large.

“URJ’s Communities of Practice (CoP) inspire congregations to build the skills to experiment and innovate in areas of congregational life that are important to them. We connect congregational leaders to each other as well as to experts, valuable resources, and learning opportunities.  The cohort model allows congregations to engage with a group to experiment, lowering the risk and sharing learning,” said Amy Asin, URJ Vice President of Strengthening Congregations. “From the work of previous CoP cohorts, we know that the support available in belonging to a committed group focused on areas of interest encourages congregations to delve more deeply into their work and creates a longer term commitment to build the skills for experimentation. The participants engaged in this sacred work will grapple with challenges and celebrate successes across the network. We also look forward to sharing what they learn and do with all URJ congregations.”