World's Reform Rabbis, Largest Group of Jewish Clergy, to Convene in San Francisco on March 7 - 10
Convention of Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR) Will Address Innovations in the Jewish Community, Rabbinic Leadership in Keeping Families Connected and the Subject of Intermarriage; CCAR Is Comprised of Nearly 2,000 Rabbis
SAN FRANCISCO, CA--(Marketwire - March 1, 2010) - The World's Reform rabbis will convene in
San Francisco Sunday, March 7 through Wednesday, March 10 for the
121st Convention of the Central
Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR). CCAR is the representative
organization of nearly 2,000 Reform rabbis, the world's largest group of
Jewish clergy.
More than 450 Reform rabbis will gather to strengthen the Reform movement's
approach to innovations in the Jewish community, helping congregants,
keeping families connected to Judaism and to address intermarriage.
The Convention is open to media who provide advance notification. In
addition, CCAR President Rabbi Ellen W. Dreyfus is available in
advance and on the scene for conversations.
MAJOR THEMES
New Visions for Our Jewish Communities. The CCAR will hold
discussions on reimagining the Jewish community; topics include synagogues,
rabbis, the larger Jewish communal world and the role of technology.
Keeping Families Connected to Judaism. Discussions on how to
help families embrace Jewish living and be engaged in the community.
Innovations in Jewish Life. Opportunities to connect with the
innovative spirit of San Francisco. Events include discussions,
explorations within San Francisco and studies geared towards encouraging
ways to enhance Jewish communities and the rabbi's role as an innovator.
KEY EVENTS
This year's events include:
Report by the CCAR's Interfaith Marriage Task Force. As a result
of a 30-month study, the Task Force will address the rabbi's role in
engaging intermarried families in Jewish life and living. The Task Force
will report on its findings to date, including overarching insights it has
gained.
Reform Movement Breakfast. The CCAR has invited the leadership
of the Union of Reform Judaism and the Hebrew Union College - Jewish
Institute to co-host a breakfast, study and important conversation
regarding the future of Jewish life and the role of the Reform Movement.
Learning Innovative Techniques in San Francisco. Innovative
techniques will be learned at The Contemporary Jewish Museum, The Mission
District, North Beach, Baker Beach, Islamic Society of San Francisco, The
Marsh Theater and Marin County.
Reimagining the Jewish Community. Exploring new visions for the
Rabbinate, the synagogue, and Jewish life through technology, different
models of leadership, and other cutting-edge ideas.
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
The Convention will cover and include:
Educating Congregations and Communities about Contemporary Issues
Confronting Israel: Using modern music, films and books to explore how
Israelis see themselves and how to accurately portray the Israel of today
to the CCAR's communities. Additionally, the CCAR will discuss the best
ways to foster constructive dialogue within Jewish communities about the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict and other difficult issues.
Why Israeli Arabs are a Jewish Issue: A discussion of why
Israel's treatment of its minority Arab population is an issue of Jewish
values and how the work of the North American Jewish community on this
issue is making a difference in Israel.
Jewish-Muslim Relations in the U.S.: Aaron Hahn Tapper and Huda
Abu Arqoub, the Jewish-American and Muslim-Palestinian Co-Executive
Directors of Abraham's Vision,
will provide a unique opportunity to discuss challenges in Jewish-Muslim
relations.
KEY GUESTS
Scheduled to appear at the convention are:
Joe Green, Founder of CAUSES, a popular social networking and fundraising application for Facebook.
Peter Sagal, Host
of NPR's "Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me."
Dr. Larry Brilliant, President of the Skoll Urgent Threats Fund,
inaugural Executive Director of Google.org and former Chief Philanthropy
Evangelist at Google.
Rachel Naomi
Remen, Pioneer in the holistic health movement and the role of the
spirit in health.
CCAR's annual convention takes place in various cities. The conventions
bring together the leaders of the Reform movement to discuss policies and
programs that affect their congregations, the overall Jewish community and
the secular world.
Note to Journalists: To attend the CCAR Convention, or to arrange a
conversation with leaders of the CCAR, please contact Itay Engelman at
212-255-8386 or itay@sommerfield.com.About The CCAR
The Central Conference of American Rabbis, founded in 1889, is the oldest
and largest rabbinic organization in North America. As the professional
organization for Reform Rabbis of North America, the CCAR projects a
powerful voice in the religious life of the American and international
Jewish communities. Since its establishment, the CCAR has a rich history of
giving professional and personal support to Reform rabbis, providing them
opportunities for study, professional development and spiritual growth
beginning while they are still in seminary, through mid-careers, and into
retirement. The CCAR is uniquely positioned to meet the ongoing needs of
its nearly 2,000 member rabbis (virtually the entire Reform rabbinate) and
the entire Reform Jewish community. For more information please visit the
CCAR's website at http://ccarnet.org/.
Convention Open to Media: Advance Notification Required. To Attend CCAR
Convention or Schedule a Discussion with a Leader of the Reform Rabbinate,
Please Contact Itay Engelman at 212-255-8386 or itay@sommerfield.com
Contact Information: Contact:
Itay Engelman
Sommerfield Communications, Inc.
212-255-8386
itay@sommerfield.com