Reform movement hosts PNW regional conference in Portland Feb. 6-8

Public invited to register for many programs

By JEWISH REVIEW

article created on: 2009-01-15T00:00:00

The Union for Reform Judaism-Pacific Northwest brings their 2009 PNW Biennial, “At the Shore of the Sea: Facing the Challenges Ahead,” a weekend of dynamic programming, to Congregation Beth Israel, Portland, Feb. 6-8.

The event brings Reform Jewish congregants and clergy from Alaska, British Columbia, Idaho, Oregon, Montana and Washington in celebration of Shabbat and provides varied learning opportunities for personal and congregational growth.

Learning sessions are guided by well known North American Reform Jewish leaders and scholars. Saturday evening entertainment is provided by KlezKidz—a rollicking, participatory, multi-faceted, mixed age, more than just klezmer, performance group.

North American leaders include scholar-in-residence Rabbi David Ellenson, president of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion; Rabbi David Saperstein, director of the Religious Action Center for Reform Judaism; Rabbi Stacy Offner, vice president of the Union for Reform Judaism, and Rabbi Sue Ann Wasserman, director of Worship, Music and Religious Living for the Union for Reform Judaism.

In addition, programs are offered for synagogue musicians and for congregational leadership development.

Portland area Union for Reform Judaism congregation members can obtain registration information through their congregation or directly from the regional office at pnw@urj.org.

Community members are invited to participate in selected weekend events. For details, contact Rabbi David Fine, regional director at 206-374-9393, at pnw@urj.org  or visit www.urj.org/pnwc/biennial. Pre-registration is required for all participants.