The United Synagogue

Another View - Striving To Build A Modern And United Family Of Communities

PRESS COVERAGE

London, 2th April, 2009

ANOTHER VIEW

STRIVING TO BUILD A MODERN AND UNITED FAMILY OF COMMUNITIES

Jeremy Jacobs, Chief Executive, United Synagogue

As we celebrate Pesach, a time for renewal and redemption, we are looking forward to exciting new challenges for the United Synagogue. Representing over 30,000 families across over 60 communities, the United Synagogue continues to develop and nurture a strong, modern and united family of communities. During my first six month as new Chief Executive of the US, I am acutely aware that the strength of our organisation lies in our members and that it is the US' responsibility to provide our members and our communities with the services, resources and support necessary to develop and enhance their Jewish identity. As we remember the birth of the Jewish people leaving Egypt, and their hope of being united as one community in Israel, my aim this year is to develop a vibrant and more welcoming community for all of our members.

Over the years, we have worked hard to develop strong communities, excellent Rabbis and outstanding lay leaders, focussed on welcoming every Jew and creating a sense of belonging and mutual responsibility. We strive to deliver Jewish learning and spiritual growth, while ensuring the centrality of Israel in Jewish life. However, I am fully aware of the obstacles which our community currently face, whether they are antisemitism, anti-Israel sentiment, general apathy, greater assimilation or financial constraints.

In order to ensure our communities continue to flourish, we must create an environment that is warm, welcoming and relevant, with a clear focus on our youth. The last six years have been an amazing success story for our youth division, Tribe, with over 13,000 members. We have worked with our communities to ensure that they have highly motivated and dedicated Youth Directors, working tirelessly with our Rabbis and lay leaders. Tribe is creating a "community of young people", with programmes including after-school clubs, Summer Camps, Tribe Israel and Campus Ambassadors.

More of our children are attending Jewish schools than ever before, but that is not enough. Our responsibility extends to ensuring involvement of both children and their parents in Jewish life both at home and in their community. It is this area where the US must focus its attention. We are developing exciting new initiatives to engage with our Chedarim and children services, and we aim to develop a Jewish learning experience for families who are already connected with Jewish schools, but perhaps more importantly, with those families who are not.

Great communities can only succeed if we have great Rabbis and lay leaders. We will continue to promote excellence in our Rabbis and we are already working on nurturing the next generation. We will continue to develop the skills of our lay leaders, whilst searching and encouraging a new younger group of volunteers to lead and manage local communities going forward.

All these areas of development must coincide with a proper method of management, marketing and communication, especially in the modern world of rapidly changing technology. I am therefore developing a highly effective and motivated team of dedicated professionals at the Centre to achieve these policies and ensure we communicate effectively with our communities, leaders and members.

These are very exciting and challenging times and I am determined that the US remains at the forefront of the Jewish Community, promoting excellence and delivering programmes and leaders who together will play a major role in fulfilling our vision of a modern and united family of communities with members connected to Jewish life and Torah values.

To this end, we will be reaching out to our community members during Pesach. While many of us will be celebrating the miracle of Pesach at a seder with our family and friends, the US will also be distributing thousands of boxes of matzah to needy members of our community, handing out nearly 500 Pesach food parcels and offering places at communal seders to ensure all of our members can take part in the wonderful traditions that have been passed down through the generations.

Just as the Jewish people were delivered to Israel with an outstretched arm after the Exodus from Egypt, we stretch out our arms to all our members to join us in these exciting times of renewal for the US. Wishing all the community a happy and Kosher Pesach.


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Published with permission of the Jewish News© - May 2008
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this week
shabbat times

May. 25th - 26th
5th Sivan
Begins: 20:46
Ends: 22:03
Sedra: Bamidbar

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