The URJ Biennial: Get Some “Jewish Life in Your Life”

If you’re a regular, a semi-regular, or even an occasional visitor at ReformJudaism.org, you know what a terrific resource the site is for “Jewish Life in Your Life,” as our tagline declares. If you’re looking for another way to add some Jewish life to your life, you’re in luck. The Union for Reform Judaism’s Biennial convention, the Reform Jewish community’s once-every-other-year extravaganza, is right around the corner: December 11-15 in San Diego California… just after Thanksgivukkah!

Biennial is open to all, so whether or not you’re affiliated with a synagogue, you’re invited to join with the thousands of others who will gather in San Diego for five days (and nights) of learning, singing, dancing, worshipping, celebrating, and just being Jewish together. They promise to be five days of incredibleness you’ll never forget.

Here are just a few of the highlights in the works:

• Amazing speakers and teachers will offer opportunities for personal enrichment, intense learning, and valuable take-aways to share with your community back home. You’ll choose from learning sessions, lunch-and-learns, and Torah study sessions geared to your unique Jewish interests, allowing you to customize your Biennial experience to feature whatever most appeals to you.
   
• Kikar Biennial: The Town Square, will be the convention’s "social hall," a combo classroom, lounge, and information concierge, complete with its own schedule of events and workshops, as well as space for kibitzing, relaxing, and networking.
   
• The world’s largest Shabbat dinner with 5,000 attendees – all of whom are there, like you, to have a great time and to immerse themselves in Jewish life – will be followed by a rousing, not-to-be-missed Shabbat song session.
   
• Inspiring Shabbat worship will be led by Rabbi Rick Jacobs, president of the Union for Reform Judaism, and Cantor Angela Buchdahl from Manhattan’s Central Synagogue in New York City. Rabbi David Ellenson, outgoing president of Hebrew Union College, the Reform Jewish seminary, will teach Torah.
   
• Friends, friends and more friends are waiting for you at every turn! Run into people you know, connect with people you’d like to know, and meet strangers who quickly become friends over a cup of coffee or in a learning session.
   
• The best shopping this side of Jerusalem's Ben Yehuda Street awaits you in the Biennial Exhibit Hall, where you can browse and buy from dozens of vendors of great books, exquisite jewelry, handmade Judaica, and much more. Stock up on all things Jewish!
   
• An exciting line-up of musicians and bands will have you singing, dancing and foot-tapping at venues throughout Biennial. This year’s performers include Neshama Carlebach, Aviva Chernick, Doug Cotler, Jaffa Road, Max Jared, Elana Jagoda, Billy Jonas, Saul Kaye, Mattan Klein, Larry Milder, Arik Luck, Josh Nelson, Dan Nichols, Rick Recht, Rocky Mountain Jewgrass, Julie Silver, and Peri Smilow. On the Thursday night of the Biennial, you’ll even be able to go “door-to-door” in San Diego’s famous Gaslamp Quarter, sampling an incredible array of the best in Jewish music, comedy, and poetry.

Get some “Jewish Life in Your Life”! Register today to join in on what promises to be a truly awesome Biennial.