Biennial Day 2--So What Is A Biennial?

OK...I just realized that some people reading this, may not know what the Biennial is all about.  So, before describing todays activities, which were amazing, let me give you my interpretation of what biennial is all about.  Biennial is more than a convention or conference.  It includes the following components (and probably some that I am forgetting):

• Business meetings
• Speeches and messages by the leaders of the Reform movement
• Speeches and messages by dignitaries from around the world
• Recognition awards
• Learning sessions for lay leaders which include both the running and administration of a congregation and more traditionally educational opportunities
• Opportunities to network and learn from the professional staff at the URJ (Union of Reform Judaism)
• Opportunities to network and learn from other lay leaders from around the country
• Worship
• Live performances of the best contemporary Jewish music

Todays at the biennial included all of the above.  The morning began with the second plenary session.  After an opening musical presentation by Peri Smilow (one of my favorite performers) and some other opening remarks, we heard an address by Michael Oren the Israeli Abassador to the United States.  He had a moving message for us about the relationship between Israel and the Jews of the diaspora and the need for Jewish unity.  A couple of key messages I took away were that he felt Israel faced the threat of delegitimization by other countries and that we must have unity among all Jews to combat this.  This Jewish Unity allows Israel to combat its challenges.  The second address this morning was from former Prime Minister Tony Blair via video from Yale.  He talked to us about faith and his Tony Blair Faith Foundation (http://www.tonyblairfaithfoundation.org/).  A key message he delivered was the need to make faith a force for good.

Following the morning plenary session I attended a learning session called "The Sooner the Better: How Early Engagement Turns Young Families into Temple Members".  The session focussed on early childhood programs (nursery schools) in reform congregations.  After lunch I caught a couple more musical acts at the URJ Books and Music Stage and then headed to a forum called " 'Real dilemmas'--Reform Judaism Looks at Hot Topics in the Political Arena".  The session was presented by Albert Vorspan (VP Emeritus for URJ) and Mark Pelavin (Associate Director, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism).  They talked to us about some of the historical aspects of social action within the reform movement as well as the current issues the reform movement is working on (health care, economy, immigration).  My afternoon learning session was "A Lifetime of Membership:  Strategies for Small Congregations".  I picked up some great ideas for working with our current membership as well as opportunities to grow our membership.

I attended a wonderful Ma'ariv service led by Danny Freelander, Debbie Friedman and Peter and Ellen Allard.  We learned a couple of new songs/melodies.  It was wonderful to hear so many of the songs which are part of our service sung and led by the composer Debbie Friedman.  After this I hit the URJ Books and Music Stage again.  A number of performances including Michelle Citrin of you tube fame (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMSEFCQCKPo).

After dinner we came back for the plenary session (we got there a little late) just in time for a meaningful address from Eboo Patel who is the founder and executive director of the Interfaith Youth Core in Chicago.  He talked about the mission of his organization and how we must fight against extremism in all religions.  Following a special presntation to Harold Grinspoon and a celebration of Reform Jewish Camping there was another great concert with Craig Taubman and Josh Nelson.  Another late but fulfilling night for us.

Seth