I have many memories of going to synagogue years ago on Yom Kippur with my dad so that he could say kaddish for his parents.  I was about eight years old, and at 6’4”, my dad towered over me.  When he held my hand and I looked up at him, I thought there was no one stronger or smarter than my dad.  He smiled back at me and said, “Just think, Jodi.  At this very moment, thousands of Jews all over the world are saying the same prayers and singing the same melodies as we are.  That is why we call these holidays the Days of Awe.”   Although I now know many other reasons for the name, Days of Awe, I will never forget the power of that moment.

There is no question that hearing hundreds of voices speaking and singing the majestic liturgy of the high holidays is a glorious and spiritual experience.  That is how it feels in our sanctuary with seven hundred voices praying at the same time.  Imagine what it would feel like to be praying in a room with 5000 other Reform Jews!  That’s what happens at the Biennial.  Every two years, thousands of Reform Jews from all over the U.S. and Canada come together for a week of study, friendship and prayer, and it is a week like no other.  The URJ (Union for Reform Judaism) hosts this Biennial in different cities around the country and temple leaders flock to be a part of this extraordinary event.  This December, the Biennial will be held in San Diego, California, and it promises to be the best one yet.

From Wednesday, December 12^th through Sunday, December 16^th, Biennial registrants will choose from over 150 workshops (covering everything from Outreach to Membership and Retention issues to Engaging Youth to Using Technology in Worship).  Additionally, there are keynote speakers, fabulous late night entertainers and best of all, a Shabbat worship experience that is like no other.  Rabbis, Cantors, Educators, Temple Presidents, Board Members, Committee Chairs, Committee Members – all Reform Jews worshipping together in a room; all Reform Jews raising their voices to God in prayer and melody.  It is truly thrilling, and something we should all have the opportunity to experience, at least once in our lives.

I will be in San Diego this December, leading workshops, taking workshops, studying, praying, reconnecting with old friends, meeting new people, learning as much as I can to bring back to Temple Beth Am to make our programs even more vibrant.  Please join me.  We have spaces for a number of delegates from Temple Beth Am and I welcome your presence at the Biennial.  I can’t possibly take all the workshops that would help us out, so I need your participation.  Please go to www.urj.org/biennial or call me to find out about registration.  I promise that if you go, you will not be sorry!  See you in December in San Diego!