Metny 09-09 Newsletter 8/27/09 2:34 PM Page 1
Sept. 2009• elul 5769• Volume XXXII • Number 1
M e t r o p o l i t a n N e w Yo r k R e g i o n U n i t e d S y n a g o g u e o f C o n s e r v a t i v e J u d a i s m
330 West 38th Street, Suite 205 New York, NY 10018 212.533.0800 fax 212.533.0400
Reaching New Horizons in 5770
Sharon P. Steinberg
s we approach the High Holidays we customarily reflect on
A the year past. Did we accomplish all we set out to do? And
we look ahead, what will next year hold in store for us?
Here at METNY, as we reflect on this past year, we had our “New
Horizons” in view, but the economy challenged all of us in so many
different ways. We were not dissuaded. We moved forward, maybe
with a few bumps along the way but ever forward.
We learned from each other the importance of communicating and
sharing. We learned quickly that we all need each other in order to
make things happen.
We created a new horizon, one which has a clearer picture of what
we expect of ourselves as a Conservative Jewish community.
In spite of the economy, we will continue to offer quality services to
our member congregations. Our youth programs will continue to be
the best and our education programs (and lectures) will continue to
inspire. We are also here to help you with so many ideas on how
to engage your membership, to assist with your outreach programs
and so much more.
This past summer we held Town Hall meetings at Shaarei Tikvah in
Scarsdale and at Midway Jewish Center in Syosset. Both were well
From left to right, the pictured are: Rabbi Jerome Epstein, outgoing Chief Executive
Officer of USCJ; Rabbi Charles Savenor, Executive Director of METNY USCJ; Sharon
Steinberg, METNY President; Rabbi Steven Wernick, new Chief Executive Officer of USCJ;
and Dr. Ray Goldstein, USCJ International President.
email:METNY@uscj.org www.uscj.org/metny
attended even though many were in the
middle of summer vacations. At these
meetings we discussed the findings of
the leadership council (presidents’
council) focus groups held around the
region in the winter and shared what we
have accomplished since then. Equally
important we heard what you had to say
and we are responding by offering infor-
mation and opportunities from which all
of our affiliated synagogues can benefit.
Sharon P. Steinberg
The open dialogue and willingness to partner with us means a lot
to the leadership of METNY. It is was also evident how much you
all care about your synagogues and the success of the Conservative
movement. Our intention is to continue having these Town Hall
meetings next year in order to maintain an open, productive dia-
logue with you.
When I took office in November of 2008, I said I wanted to meet as
many of our METNY leadership as possible. Our First Vice
President, Norman Korowitz, along with past president Harvey
Finkelstein, have organized a liaison committee from our METNY
Board. You can look forward to a call from one of our liaisons, just
to say hello and ask how you are doing and how we are doing and
most importantly, how we can help.
This past year METNY received a grant to upgrade our website. You
can check it out at www.uscj.org/metny. We welcome information
from your congregations- we will place your events on our calen-
dar, so that everyone can see and share what we are all doing.
Please feel free to send us your events.
On my immediate horizon: our Executive Director, Rabbi Charles
Savenor, other Board members and I want to be invited to attend
your Board meetings. We want to hear you and tell you what we
can do together to enhance your synagogue and our region. We will
be reaching out to you, please welcome us.
I, and my son Michael, wish you all a New Year, filled with Love,
Peace, Hope and Good Health.
Metny 09-09 Newsletter 8/27/09 2:34 PM Page 2

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METNY 2009–2010 Regional Calendar
Committees Friday, September 25, 2009
Adult Education Jack Topal USY Board Weekend @ New City JC
Marty Werber through Sunday, Sept. 27, 2009
Annual Dinner/Journal Alan Reid
Wednesday, September 30 2009 Youth Commission Meeting
Dr. Marvin Medow
Budget Jeff Shlefstein October 7, 8, 14, 15, 22, 2009 Leadership Councils
Commitment & Observance Dan Werlin
Dr. Saul Shapiro Monday, October 19, 2009 Executive Board
Conferences Alan Reid Wednesday, October 21, 2009 Butler Grant Opening Program
Dues Marge Cella
Education Robyn Cimbol Sunday, October 25, 2009 USY Kickoff Dance
Carol Green
Dr. Marvin Medow
Monday, October 26, 2009 President’s Night
Hazak Jeffry Horowitz Monday, November 2, 2009 Executive Board meeting
Carol Turoff
Israel Affairs Jeffry Horowitz Thursday, November 5, 2009 Jewish Professional luncheon
Leadership Councils Norman Korowitz
November 5, 10, 2009 Leadership Councils Mergers Meeting
Legal Affairs Ed Rudofsky
Gene Zinbarg November 12, 2009 Leadership Councils
Media /Bulletins Marc Katz
Marty Werber Wednesday, November 18, 2009 Youth Commission Meeting
Mergers Ronni Birnbaun Kopelowitz
Wednesday, December 2, 2009 Education Commission
Joel Cutler
Personnel Irwin Scharf Sunday, December 6, 2009
Scholarships-SSDS Jack Topal International USCJ Convention-Cherry Hill, NJ
through Thursday, Dec. 10, 2009
Scholarships-USY Irv Kuber
Strategic Planning Fred Claar Monday, December 14, 2009 Board of Directors Meeting
Al Krull
Young Leadership David Pollack
Wednesday, December 16, 2009 UN Mission
Youth Steven Topal Thursday, Dec 24, 2009
Alan Reid USY International Convention – Chicago
Janet Faber Cooperman
through Thursday, Dec. 31, 2009

METNY leadership their munications. We invite leaders to join in

Leadership Councils concerns and have the

By Norman Korowitz, 1st Vice President
eadership Councils, formerly
opportunity to discuss
issues. Another set of
programs was the Presi-
our sessions, conferences and workshops
conference calls, webinar (when avail-
able) or email. Materials will be distributed
and our goal is to have leaders feel includ-

L
known as Presidents Councils,
will take on a very different look
this year. Our councils are for syn- held for presidents and their officers.
agogue leaders, including officers and
emerging young leaders. While we will be
holding the council meetings around the
region, we are attempting to break down
some of the geographic divisions that
exist. Some meetings will be issue driven
and will be open to everyone regardless of
synagogue location. We are addressing
synagogue needs that are common to our
member congregations as a total group or
as clusters. We anticipate effective net-
working as a result of this new concept.
Our first series of programs, resulting
from the Leadership Council concept,
were the Town Hall mettings. Members
were able to meet with and share with the
dents’ Orientation Nights. The position of
president and its responsibilities were
discussed, while a unique “clinic” was
We also plan to initiate informal gather-
ings where the lay leadership will have
the opportunity to share and exchange
ideas, practices and strengths. We are
responding to the expressed desire of the
focus groups that encouraged us to bring
together constituents from the various
synagogues.
You can also look forward to sessions in
your area regarding common issues that
are concern for your specific cluster.
Sessions will also be held relating to issues
unique to you and other synagogues in the
Metropolitan New York Region.
We are also looking forward to using the
methods and techniques of today’s com-
ed. We will make every effort to be rele-
vant to your congregation and member-
ship.
Our efforts to reach out to the member-
ship and congregations are being imple-
mented through our Liaison project.
Representatives of the METNY lay leader-
ship will be contacting your synagogue
president and lay leaders, and will be
developing and maintaining an on-going
positive connection. There will always be
someone on the METNY Liaison team who
will help you to pilot through the METNY
and/or USCJ maze. When contacted we
hope that the synagogue and METNY lay
leaders will build a relationship to allow for
direct input into the “system”. By the same
manner, we will have a connection to you
that will keep you updated and aware of
METNY and USCJ activities and programs.
Metny 09-09 Newsletter 8/27/09 2:34 PM Page 3

3
“A GOAL PROPERLY SET”
Executive Director's Message
oal setting is vital to any organization, At the end of the program year, we can then

G congregation and team. In the immor-

tal words of the New York Yankees
great, Yogi Berra: “You got to be care-
ful if you don't know where you're going,
because you might not get there.” Simply put,
look back on our written goals and evaluate
how far we have come. This transparent dis-
cussion will inform not only our current suc-
cess, but also our next move, the next year
and even the next chapter of our organiza-
goals indicate the path we want to pave. tion or congregation.
Goals help us not only create plans, but also This year each of the METNY professionals
measure our success. have been asked to create three goals for the
While a little daunting initially, the process of year. The major areas will be youth, educa-
goal setting is essential for your community. tion, Hazak and METNY Leadership. We
Goals are not created in a vacuum. A syna- believe that these goals will energize our
By committees and enhance our efforts. My pres-
gogue’s goals should be informed by its mis-
Rabbi Charles E. Savenor entation at the Spring Leadership Conference,
sion statement. Every congregation needs a Executive Director
mission. Equally important, establishing our “The Case for METNY,” provided three focal
Metropolitan New York Region, points for METNY - communication, consulta-
objectives gives life to our aspirations and The United Synagogue
concretizes how we will achieve our stated tion and community – that will inform our
of Conservative Judaism
missions. goals. This fall you will hear directly from our
professionals about their goals and how they
Creating congregation goals can be an exciting will benefit your congregation and our METNY community.
process that generates conversation and allows everyone at the
table to participate. The process should include the big picture Among my goals for the year are: 1) enhancing our leadership
people, as well as the action people, also known as the doers. development offerings; 2) developing a strategic plan for METNY
USY; and 3) strengthening our communication with synagogues
Whether you think big or small, your goals must generate excite- online and in person.
ment within yourself and your fellow leaders. In order to promote
and accomplish these objectives, one should be enthusiastic Our METNY Media Committee, chaired by Mark Katz and Marty
about the work ahead that will benefit you, your leadership and Werber, has been working for months to enhance our newsletter
community. and overall communications. In addition to revamping our web-
site, we turned our attention to this newsletter, “METNY
An important part of the process is writing down our goals. Leadership.” The goal of our inquiry was assuring that this
Something significant, even sacred, transpires when we commit newsletter serve as a tool and resource for you, METNY’s syna-
our objectives to paper. The development of our goals includes gogue leaders. With that in mind, we have focused the scope of
timelines, benchmarks for success and key players. With this the newsletter to provide practical and useful information that
information in-hand, we are ready to promote our ideas and actu- will benefit you and your communities. The process of enhancing
alize them, as Abraham Lincoln wrote: "A goal properly set is our newsletter was made easier by having a goal “properly set,”
halfway reached." namely serving you better.

VISIT METNY ONLINE!

Thanks to a USCJ grant, METNY’s website has been completely revamped.
www.uscj.org/metny serves as a timely resource for synagogue leaders.
You can also find METNY on Facebook! Join our METNY USCJ group.
More updates and news can be found by following “MetnyUSCJ” on Twitter.
Metny 09-09 Newsletter 8/27/09 2:34 PM Page 4
4
METNY USY Chapter Enhancement Grants
By Dave Siegel, Interim Director of Youth Activities
he 2009-2010 year will mark the beginning of many new
T initiatives for METNY Youth Programs. At the core of these
initiatives will be a return to the fundamentals that has
made USY and Kadima so successful in the past. By con-
centrating on areas such as programming, education, leadership
development and social action, we hope to build a solid foundation
from which our region can grow.
When surveying the needs of the region, we noticed that one area
strengthening, namely chapter programming. In response to this
challenge, METNY announced the first ever METNY USY Chapter
Enhancement Grants. The purpose of these grants was to help
stimulate interest in our local youth programs and energize the cur-
rent membership. Each synagogue in the region was invited to
apply for a grant of $500 to be used for a chapter program that
would be planned for the Fall 2009. I am excited to report that over
thirty chapters applied and considered for these grants. See the list
of winners on the bottom of page 5.
Each synagogue was asked to provide a full program description, a
timeline for the program and a detailed budget. The chapters were
also required to submit a method of evaluation. This process not
only provided the region with the important information necessary
AZAK is the United Synagogue of
H Conservative Judaism's organization for
mature Conservative Jews. It provides
programming for people 55 and older
who are members of our affiliated congregations.
The name HAZAK is an acronym. The het stands
HAZAK
By Jeffry Horowitz and
Carol Turoff
for Hokhmah (wisdom), the zayan for Ziknah (maturity) and the
kuph for Kadima (looking ahead). So Hazak notes that the senior
represents cumulative knowledge, the ability to judge as zakeyn in
a mature fashion, and has aspirations to move ahead during the
decades remaining. With that in mind, Hazak is designed to address
the needs of seniors in full-service congregations.
Seniors are the most rapidly growing segment of the Jewish popula-
tion. Hazak compliments congregational adult education programs
with specially designed social, spiritual and educational components
for them. Hazak members not only have the opportunity to meet on
a regular basis with peers from their own congregations but with fel-
low Jews from other affiliated Conservative congregations.
These opportunities will help develop a sense of community
through a variety of creative programs that include study, prayer,
entertainment and socializing. Hazak affirms the traditional Jewish
view that mature adults should have the opportunity to continue to
learn and be active in their congregations, their communities and
among themselves. Hazak offers its members the opportunity to
travel together, participate in programs together, and use their own
for assessing the application, but it also
created an efficient model for planning
future chapter events. Our hope is that
this format will become a standard proce-
dure for our chapters.
In addition to helping provide excellent
programming in these individual chapters,
the programs will also be made available
to be replicated in chapters throughout the region. Before and after
these programs have taken place, we will speak with every chap-
ter to review their experience and discuss how they would improve
the program. Program descriptions, pictures and other pertinent
information will then be made available on the METNY USCJ and
METNY USY websites. This initiative will also serve to become the
foundation of a newly updated METNY USY Program Bank.
USY and Kadima keep families engaged and interested in syna-
gogue communities post-Bar/Bat Mitzvah. METNY is here to help
you find ways to strengthen your program. Check out our website
at www.uscj.org/metny for ideas and tips for making your chapter
the best it can be.
Again, mazel tov to all of our grantees! See complete list on page 5.
skills and knowledge as well as outside
resources. Thus, Hazak promotes Judaism to sen-
iors through projects and experiences, in the syn-
agogue environment and on a community level.
For the first time, we will be planning three METNY
regional events: On October 7, there will be a trip
to the Jewish Chapel at West Point and a visit to the surrounding
area, in March, a trip to the Jewish Theological Seminary, including
a presentation from the rare book room and in May, a trip to the
Jewish Museum in Battery Park. In addition to these regional pro-
grams, on December 16th, METNY will visit to the United Nations
where we will get the chance to meet with representatives of Israel,
USA and one other country. In the past, we have met with repre-
sentatives from the Republic of Georgia, Egypt, Jordan, France,
Great Britain and many others.
Some of us enjoyed 7 wonderful days at the annual HAZAK Summer
Retreat at Block and Hexter Camp and in the next few months,
chapters will be preparing for HAZAK Shabbat on January 2nd and
going to Israel on January 17th.
For additional information on starting a chapter in your synagogue,
email the chair of the METNY HAZAK committee, Jeffry Horowitz
(jeffry.horowitz@verizon.net), co-chair Carol Turoff (ctwalk16@
aol.com) or the Regional METNY HAZAK Director, Don Schiller
(schiller@uscj.org) or call 212-533-0800 for more details on any of
our programs.
Metny 09-09 Newsletter 8/27/09 2:34 PM Page 5

5
New Regional Youth Director, Dave Siegel: ’It is time to get back to basics’
By Marc Katz, Communications Secretary worked as the Director of Special Projects at the 92nd Street Y. He
ave Siegel, who has held a series of progressively advanced earned a Masters in Education from the Jewish Theological

D positions within METNY and USY, has been named the

Region’s Interim Director of Youth Activities.
“I want us to immediately get ‘back to basics,’” Mr. Siegel said. “I
want us to look at things a little differently. We will certainly be
doing some reimagining.”
He said he wants to begin by strengthening USY chapters, building
youth leadership, Israel awareness and social action-Tikun Olam. “I
see my role as an advisor for the youth and staff,” he said. “I want
to encourage the USYers to plan great programs and come up with
innovative ideas.”
He began his USY “career” as a member, and then president, of
Beth El USY of Massapequa, NY. In 1993, he was elected the first
president of the newly formed Chazak Division of METNY USY.
Mr. Siegel graduated from SUNY Binghamton, majoring in “Politics,
Philosophy and Law.” He earned his Masters in Public
Administration from New York University while serving as the Youth
Director at the Midway Jewish Center. Following his graduation, he
Seminary, and is currently attending JTS Rabbinic School.
Following his marriage to Nicole, Dave studied for a year at the
Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem. The couple is expecting their
first child in October.
He served as the Director of both the Rakevet and Kiryah divisions.
“The difference in leadership will be my approach,” he said. “I am
not just trying to come up with the next great project. I want to build
a solid foundation for the future. It is not a matter of reinventing the
wheel, but rather of modernizing it. First we will look at how we are
doing things and then carefully analyze that information.”
He said a goal would be to start a number of new chapters, espe-
cially in Manhattan. “This is very doable,” he said. Last year, the
first kinnus held in Manhattan in about ten years took place at the
Town and Village Synagogue. It had 70 participants and this year’s
kinnus attendance will likely surpass it.
“Some chapters are doing very well. Where needed, my goal is to
analyze the communities and provide regional support and expert-
ise.”
“Encampment numbers are also up,” he said. The last encampment
had more than 100 Kadima participants, and more than 400 over-
all. Why the increased participation? “We are taking a more strate-
gic approach to what we do,” he said. “We are building a solid foun-
dation with a lot of hard work by the youth, the staff and the pro-
fessional leadership.”
He said Leadership Training Seminars for USY Executive Board
members will be held at the General Board Weekend, to be held at
the New City Jewish Center, and each division will have their own
weekend to develop leadership skills.
“The difference in my USY approach stems from my background,”
he said. After graduation from the Seminary he said he is likely to
go into Jewish nonprofit work, but “USY is the reason I am who I
am.”

USY CHAPTERS RECEIVING GRANTS

Beth El Synagogue Center JCC of Harrison Pelham Jewish Center
Cong. Kneses Tifereth Israel Kane Street Synagogue Shelter Rock Jewish Center
Dix Hills Jewish Center Manetto Hill Jewish Center South Huntington Jewish Center
East Northport Jewish Center Merrick Jewish Center Temple Beth Sholom, Roslyn Hts.
Forest Hills Jewish Center Midway Jewish Center Temple Sholom, Greenwich
Hewlett East Rockaway Jewish Cntr. Montebello Jewish Center Temple Sinai, Middletown
Hollis Hills/ Hillcrest USY Chapter New CIity Jewish Center Town and Village Synagogue
Hudson Valley USY Chapter North Shore Jewish Center Westchester Jewish Center
Huntington Jewish Center Or Zarua Woodbury Jewish Center
Metny 09-09 Newsletter 8/27/09 2:34 PM Page 6
6
ISRAEL AFFAIRS
By Jeffry Horowitz, Israeli Affairs chair
id you know that there are over 600 congregational Israel
D Affairs chairs in the United Synagogue of Conservative
Judaism? Do you know that USCJ has an active Israel
Commission under the leadership of METNY’s own USCJ
Vice President of Israel Affairs, Dr. Saul Shapiro and under the day
to day direction of Rabbi Paul Freedman?
Does your synagogue have an Israel Affairs chair? Do we at METNY
know who they are? Are you interested in joining with us and cre-
ating an Israel Affairs chair at your synagogue?
As the Israel Affairs chair of your synagogue, you are METNY’s
United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism ambassadors. You will
be able to present the relevant Israel related issues at your board
meeting or some other congregational forum that affect our mem-
bership. We will the furnish background information on the issues
to you for your input
Have you checked out “Today’ s Israel”, the e-magazine that pro-
vides interesting and important readings on the Masorti movement
and Israeli life? http://todaysisrael.com/specialissue.php.
Subscriptions are free and many synagogues have created a link to
this magazine on their Israel Affairs section of their synagogue
websites
Did you take advantage of our newest pilot program in July and
August?
MA’ALOT – “Taking Steps Toward Israel Awareness” was only
offered to METNY and two other regions (New Jersey and the
Empire Region - Albany). This was a joint project of the USCJ Israel
Commission and Nefesh B’Nefesh. Grant applications for up to
$3,000 were available for your Israel and Zionist education and/or
Israel experience as long as Aliyah was an option.
As a synagogue with an Israel Affairs chair, you will also receive an
email from Rabbi Freedman once a month with “Two Minutes of
Israel”. A short article perfect for presenting at each board meet-
ing to maintain the awareness of Israel to your lay leadership. In
the past, we have received articles on “Our Israeli youth move-
ment”, “The Human Spirit: plus 61 reasons why I love Israel” and
“Israel as a Challenge to Judaism.”
UNITED SYNAGOGUE INTERNATIONAL BIENNIAL
CONVENTION
This year’s convention, set for December 6 – 10 in Cherry Hill, New
Jersey, will be awesome. There are at least three scheduled events
that are directly relevant to Israel Affairs chairs. Ambassador
Danny Ayalon, who is now Israel ’s deputy foreign minister, will
address the convention on Sunday, December 6. The trip has been
arranged and funded by Nefesh B’Nefesh.
On Monday, December 7, we will present a workshop called Am
Yisrael Chai. It will present new and creative ways to bring Israel to
your synagogue. The interactive presentation will use videos,
music, and other methods of bringing Israel alive and showcasing
the Conservative/Masorti movement there. You will be enriched by
it, and return home better equipped to strengthen the links between
Israel and North America, and to forge new ones.
We are planning a breakfast that will be an open meeting of the
Israel Commission. That will allow anyone who is interested to help
shape the commission’s direction and influence its program-
ming. We will be available for individual consultations on how to
bring Israel to your synagogue throughout the convention.
LISTSERV
More than 100 of the more than 600 synagogue Israel Affairs chairs
or representatives have signed up for the Israel Commission’s LIST-
SERV. They use it to exchange ideas and visions. Are you interest-
ed? Send your name, email address, and the name and address of
your congregation to Rabbi Paul Freedman at freedman@uscj.org.
SPEAKERS BUREAU
Marion Mayman, Mercaz Canada's president, runs this Israel
Commission program. When we learn that prominent Masorti Jews
from Israel – or any other good speaker – will be in North America,
we try to match them up with speaking opportunities in our mem-
ber synagogues.
WELCOMING VISITORS FROM NORTH AMERICA
The Israel Commission is eager to welcome you on your trip to
Israel. We also can arrange a visit to United Synagogue’s Fuchsberg
Jerusalem Center. We hope you take us up on this offer – we are
sure that you will be very impressed by the services and programs
it offers, as well as by its beauty.
For more information on any of these opportunities, please do not
hesitate to contact Jeffry Horowitz jeffry.horowitz@verizon.net or
Rabbi Paul Freedman freedman@uscj.org.
Save the Date
Stand for Freedom in Iran Rally
Thursday, Sept. 24, 2009, 12 pm
at Dag Hammarskjold Pl.,
47th Street & 2nd Avenue
Metny 09-09 Newsletter 8/27/09 2:34 PM Page 7

7
Engaging Torah Study
By Rabbi Paulette Posner, Director of Education

he Hidon Ha Torah, METNY’s annual “Bible Bowl,” offers months in advance of the Hidon Ha Torah event. It was

T our congregational schools the opportunity to add in-

depth text study to their sixth grade curriculum. Using
the Book of Exodus and traditional commentaries in the
Etz Hayim Chumash, the students are exposed to a variety of
interpretations and learn how to grapple with the Torah text.
great. When the kids finally learned that they had tied for
first place with the enviable Little Neck Jewish Center
crew, their sense of accomplishment was through the roof.
It was good to witness that and it was also good to see
them honor the Little Neck group not because they can hit
Adding the Hidon to the sixth a home run, fill the hoop or
grade program gives these stu- target a puck, but because
dents skills that they can use in they could cite Torah pas-
their bar/bat mitzvah prepara- sages. Fabulous!
tion, Hebrew High School, col- After twenty questions in the
lege, and throughout life. final round, we had two teams
This year METNY held our annual with perfect scores! Mazel Tov
Hidon Ha Torah competition at to our winners – Little Neck
the Jewish Theological Seminary Jewish Center and Midway
on Sunday, May 3rd. Teams from Jewish Center!
fifteen synagogue schools com-
This dynamic program is open
peted. It was amazing to see our
to every religious school in
children talking Torah and shar-
Midway Jewish Center team METNY. We not only encourage
ing their knowledge and insight
new schools to participate, but
with their peers, teachers and parents. Synagogue communities
also have created an online tool to help you through the process.
- parents, grandparents, siblings, teachers, and rabbis - served
METNY created a “wikispace”
as the cheerleaders for these
so that coaches can share ped-
dedicated students throughout
agogical approaches to the
the day.
material and how best to edu-
As Rabbi Rafi Rank from cate your synagogue’s team.
Midway Jewish Center elo- You can find the Hidon Ha Torah
quently stated: material at http://hidonHa
Although learning Torah is Torah.wikispaces.com/. There
inherently exciting, especial- you can upload practice materi-
ly with the right teacher, als and interact with other
when it comes to the kids, a Hidon Ha Torah educators.
little friendly competition Wikispaces are an excellent
adds a new dimension to an tool to share materials and fos-
already stimulating process. ter an online dialogue. We
The kids were, as they say, Little Neck Jewish Center Team encourage educators and syna-
pumped for a contest. That gogue leaders to utilize this technology to create productive dis-
little extra motivation embodied in an anticipated victory cussions about materials, curriculum, and communal issues.
was just enough to have them soaking up Torah several

SAVE THE DATES

METNY Annual Reception United Nations Synagogue
For Synagogue Presidents Mission Leadership Conference
Monday, October 26, 2009 Wednesday, December 16, 2009 Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Metny 09-09 Newsletter 8/27/09 2:34 PM Page 8
Metropolitan New York Region USCJ
330 West 38th Street, Suite 205
New York, NY 10018
2009 USCJ International Biennial Convention
By Carole Korowitz, USCJ Convention Chair
he USCJ Biennial offers synagogue lay leadership the
T extraordinary opportunity to come together to learn, listen,
share and be heard. During the week you can network
with synagogue leaders from across North America and
participate in daily workshops relating to all aspects of
synagogue life: Strategic Planning, Leadership
Development, Finance, Membership, and more! You will
not only study with scholars from the Conservative
Movement, but also hear from dynamic leaders, including
Rabbi Brad Artson, Chancellor Arnold Eisen, Rabbi Steven
Wernick, Rabbi Julie Schoenfeld, Hazzan Stephen Stein,
Malcolm Hoenlein and Rabbi Steven Greenberg.
Furthermore, convention participants will have the unique experi-
ence you of observing the Committee on Jewish Law and Standards
as they deliberate topics of relevance to the Conservative Judaism.
Young Leadership will have a special track on Sunday and Monday,
and will be recognized during the convention.
Each evening we will enjoy dynamic programs and conclude with
entertainment and receptions. This convention represents a transi-
tional moment for USCJ as we welcome our new Chief Executive
Officer, Rabbi Steven Wernick, and honor Rabbi Jerome Epstein for
his years of service as CEO and Dr. Ray Goldstein at the conclusion
NON PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
United Synagogue
of Conservative Judaism
of his term as USCJ President. We are excited that Richard Skolnik,
a METNY Past President, is the slate candidate for president.
Elections and an installation dinner will be held to celebrate the new
USCJ president and officers.
While we encourage everyone to attend for the entire con-
vention, we recognize the fact that some leaders may not
be able to do so. Therefore, we have offered a configura-
tion of days and pro-rated costs that can meet your partic-
ular needs. Our goal is to be inclusive and to offer you a
fabulous and worthwhile experience for as long as you can
stay.
The entire program is available online at www.uscj.org/convention,
so start planning now for a memorable experience! We also encour-
age you to join the USCJ Biennial ‘09 Facebook Group. See you in
December!
SAVE THE DATE:
The convention will be held
December 6-10, 2009
in Cherry Hill, NJ at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.