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I am pleased to present the URJ’s 2017 Annual Report, the first-ever digital and interactive one the URJ has produced.

More than 130 adults and children spent a few days earlier this month building a communal sukkah, eating shared meals outside, singing songs and sleeping in tents under the stars.

And they did it all in Russian.

With the High Holiday season behind us, I hope that every service and event was meaningful and beautiful for you and your entire congregational family.

“When you grow up, you’ll understand.” Have you heard this sentiment recited to young people by parents, and perhaps teachers who didn’t know the answer to a probing question, or were simply hesitant to approach it? It framed generations, in a way. Set boundaries. But in a time when we have just recently witnessed a 17-year-old becoming the youngest Nobel Peace Prize Laureate to date – I’d say the sentiment has expired.

Surveys continue to portend dread about non-affiliation among young Jews, but Reform millennials and the 20s and 30s communities they’re creating are bucking that trend.

To succeed today, congregations need to focus on developing appropriate governance structures that allow them to be both mission-driven and flexible.

Whether you’re a URJ Biennial veteran or this will be your first time attending, we can’t wait to see you in Orlando this November!