A diverse group of Jewish leaders presents new commentaries and innovative alternatives for the haftarah cycle, revitalizing and reimagining its connection to modern Jewish life.

New York, NY – FEBRUARY 2023 – CCAR Press, a division of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, is honored to announce the publication of Prophetic Voices: Renewing and Reimagining Haftarah. Edited by Rabbi Barbara AB Symons of Temple David in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, the anthology brings together close to 180 Jewish leaders—from across denominations and professions—inviting readers to rethink the haftarah canon, with novel alternative haftarah readings and commentaries for each Shabbat and holiday.

The traditional haftarah cycle, read on Shabbat and holidays during the Torah service, contains a wealth of prophetic wisdom, yet is often forgotten or ignored. Prophetic Voices gives new life to this aspect of Jewish practice, with short commentaries on each traditional haftarah to demonstrate their continued relevance to the present. Going beyond the traditional passages, the book offers novel alternative haftarah readings and accompanying commentaries drawn from Jewish sources ranging from biblical to contemporary, including the work of Emma Lazarus, Yehuda Amichai, Leonard Cohen, Marge Piercy, and many more.

In addition to new haftarot for each Shabbat and holiday, Prophetic Voices contains haftarot for the Jewish American calendar. Holidays include Tu Bi’Shvat, Pride Month, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Equal Pay Day, and Indigenous Peoples’ Day. The haftarot are enhanced by scholarly essays that place the Prophets in historical context and examine the role of prophecy in Reform Judaism. Complementing these works are newly written blessings for the haftarah reading.

“I have always loved the promise of Prophetic Judaism, yet realized that often the prophets’ voices, if heard at all, were not even translated, let alone interpreted,” said Rabbi Symons. “Trying to fill this silence led to this scholarly, soulful, empathic look at the traditional haftarah cycle and beyond, complemented with alternative prophet-like voices spanning the canon of Jewish literacy. It is a celebration of the diversity of the Jewish people as we are called to action.”

The anthology brings together close to 180 Jewish leaders from across denominations and professions. Among them are Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, who penned the book’s foreword; Rabbi Gary Phillip Zola, executive director of The Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives (AJA); Rabbi Naamah Kelman, the first woman rabbi ordained in Israel and the dean of Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion’s (HUC-JIR) Jerusalem campus; Rabbi Elliot Kukla, a chaplain, author, artist and activist who was the first openly transgender rabbi ordained by a mainstream denomination; Rabbi Jill Jacobs, CEO of T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights; Abigail Pogrebin, a journalist, podcaster, producer, community leader, and the author of ­­­­­­­­­My Jewish Year: 18 Holidays, One Wondering Jew; and Cantor David Fair, the first Black cantor ordained by HUC-JIR and current cantor-educator for the United Jewish School in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

“Like water in the desert, this anthology offers fresh, new ways to make haftarot not only relevant but essential,” said Rabbi Rick Jacobs, President of the Union for Reform Judaism. “For too long many have dreaded haftarah readings because they lacked connection to our lives, but no longer. With Prophetic Voices, I can foresee these texts commanding our full attention as we reclaim and reimagine Jewish life.”

“Prophetic Voices provides the motivation and the means to delve into the Prophets with a new appreciation for these texts and their potential to enrich the lives of contemporary readers,” said Rabbi Andrea L. Weiss, PhD, the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Provost of HUC-JIR. “The book gathers together an eclectic group of authors who offer informative background essays and insightful commentary on the traditional haftarah readings, along with an array of new texts to inspire us and challenge us. I look forward to bringing this terrific volume to services as my Shabbat morning companion.”

“What a delight this book is! The prophetic passion for God’s justice is foundational to Judaism and to all the Abrahamic faiths; reclaiming these haftarah portions for use in the synagogue is a worthy goal, worthily realized in this text,” says Rev. Dr. Steven S. Tuell, Professor Emeritus of Hebrew and Old Testament at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and coauthor of The Prophets: Introducing Israel’s Prophetic Writings. “I hope that Christian churches and Muslim mosques will also be inspired to explore their ancient roots and rediscover their prophetic passion.”

Prophetic Voices: Renewing and Reimagining Haftarah is available at propheticvoices.ccarpress.org

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To request review copies, interview opportunities, or to book author events, please contact:
Raquel Fairweather
Marketing and Sales Manager, CCAR Press
rfairweather@ccarnet.org
P. (212) 542-8800

Reform Jewish publisher presents a contemporary perspective on the ancient text of Proverbs by Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, an Orthodox leader and activist.

New York, NY – June 1, 2022 – CCAR Press, a division of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, is pleased to announce the publication of The Book of Proverbs: A Social Justice Commentary, written by Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, a global activist and author of twenty-two books on Jewish spirituality, social justice, and ethics. His previous works include the CCAR Press titles Pirkei Avot: A Social Justice Commentary (2018) and The Book of Jonah: A Social Justice Commentary (2020). This new publication includes a foreword by Rabbi Laura Geller, Rabbi Emerita of Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills, and the third woman ordained by the Reform Movement. It is published by CCAR Press’s Reform Judaism Publishing imprint.

The Book of Proverbs, attributed to King Solomon, is a profound collection of Jewish wisdom, song, and inspiration. Yet to contemporary readers, the text is often unclear and inaccessible. In this refreshing and relevant commentary, Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz challenges us to find modern meanings in the words of this ancient text and teaches us how we can utilize the Book of Proverbs as we navigate our respective journeys.

Using his characteristic blend of social justice practice and Jewish thought from throughout history, Rabbi Yanklowitz connects the ancient words of Proverbs to current issues and universal concerns, including income inequality, feminism, animal rights, environmentalism, and many more. The author’s commentary is paired with the full text of Proverbs—in both Hebrew and an updated, gender-accurate English translation—so that readers may glean their own insights. Rather than offering prescribed guidelines, Rabbi Yanklowitz instead encourages each of us to undergo a personal growth process.

Rabbi Yanklowitz is the President and Dean of Valley Beit Midrash; Founder and President of Uri L’Tzedek; Founder and CEO of The Shamayim V’Aretz Institute; and Founder and President of YATOM: The Jewish Foster and Adoption Network. He was ordained by Yeshivat Chovevei Torah and holds a doctorate in moral philosophy from Columbia University. His writing has appeared in outlets as diverse as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The Guardian, and The Atlantic. He has twice been named one of America’s Top Rabbis by Newsweek. In 2016, The Forward named Rabbi Yanklowitz one of the Most Inspiring Rabbis in America and one of the fifty most influential Jews.

As Rabbi Laura Geller writes in the foreword, “This is a book about contemporary life, a book about the Torah of our own lives as well as the Torah of tradition, a book that nourishes and challenges us by offering new ways of thinking about the questions we wrestle with as modern people.”

“Filled with well-known aphorisms, Proverbs is among the Bible’s most morally rich books, yet rarely is it analyzed in depth,” said Rabbi David Saperstein, Director Emeritus of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism. “Now Rabbi Yanklowitz, one of American Jewry’s leading social justice thinkers, brilliantly weaves together textual analysis, traditional commentaries, contemporary views, and powerful examples in applying key passages to some of our most vexing twenty-first-century social and personal challenges, This gem of a book will be an invaluable resource to rabbis (indeed, clergy of any faith) and teachers for sermons and classes, even while inspiring social justice activists across a broad political spectrum.”

Senator Joseph Lieberman said, “Proverbs is a treasure of Jewish wisdom that is a delight to read on its own terms, and I’m glad that Rabbi Yanklowitz has written a thoughtful, moving, and modern commentary that will enlighten readers of all faiths and creeds.”

“It was an honor to collaborate with Rabbi Yanklowitz on a third book,” said Rafael Chaiken, Director of CCAR Press. “A partnership between an Orthodox rabbi and a Reform publisher is truly extraordinary and exemplifies our shared belief in the value of Jewish pluralism.”

The Book of Proverbs: A Social Justice Commentary is available at proverbs.ccarpress.org. An ebook and free study guide are also available.

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To request review copies, interview opportunities, or to book author events, please contact:
Raquel Fairweather
Marketing and Sales Manager, CCAR Press
rfairweather@ccarnet.org
P. (212) 542-8800

New York, NY, Thursday, March 24, 2022 – Gathering in person for the first time in three years, Reform rabbis will convene in San Diego for four days of learning, praying, and connecting during the Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR) annual Convention. This year’s Convention will take place from Sunday, March 27 to Wednesday, March 30, 2022 and allow Reform rabbis to gather to discuss meaningful and unique ways to strengthen their connections among one another and within their communities. CCAR will also connect with rabbis who are unable to travel with online Convention options, featuring both livestreamed events from San Diego and online-only sessions.

This year will also be a celebratory moment as the year 2022 marks two major anniversaries within the Reform movement: the 50th anniversary of Women in the Rabbinate and the 100th anniversary of CCAR’s groundbreaking 1922 vote to ordain women. Additional opportunities for discourse include programs that focus on physical health, conversations about moving from “burnout to hope,” and a timely discussion on synagogue security.

The CCAR Convention will feature keynote addresses from Jeremy Heimans, CEO of Purpose and co-author of New Power: How Power Works in Our Hyperconnected World – and How to Make It Work for You, and Rabbi Carole Balin, PhD, Professor Emerita of Jewish History at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. Heimans will speak on “Reimagining our Communities in a Time of Change: Moving from Old Power to New Power,” while Balin will discuss the history behind this year’s momentous anniversaries in an address titled “Wives to the Rescue: The Promise and Reality of the CCAR’s Epic 1922 Vote to Ordain Women.” Additionally, CCAR will mark the 50th anniversary of women in the Rabbinate with a reception honoring Sally Priesand, the first ordained female Rabbi.

“After two years of digital gatherings, this year’s convention will provide Rabbis a chance to truly rejoice, connect and renew after an extremely difficult period in Jewish history,” said Rabbi Hara Person, CCAR Chief Executive. “Amidst an ongoing pandemic and rising antisemitism that most recently showed itself in a hostage attack at a Reform temple in Texas, this Convention is a much-needed moment for rabbis to come together, reconnect, reflect, and engage in spiritual renewal so they can return to their communities strengthened and with renewed resilience.”

In addition, the CCAR Convention will offer rabbis the chance to connect with colleagues through prayer and study, including opportunities to engage in professional skill-building, partake in T’filah at the beach, travel locally within San Diego on excursions centered around social justice, and enjoy “A Staged Reading of Exagoge: Weaving the Ancient Exodus Narrative with Contemporary Issues” by theatre dybbuk. During Convention, CCAR will also honor rabbis celebrating their 50th anniversaries as rabbis, and memorialize those members who have died this year.

To connect with CCAR leaders, or for more information about CCAR Convention, contact Maddy Troha at maddy.troha@berlinrosen.com

A diverse collection of contemporary Jewish thought leaders delves into the weekly Torah portions, drawing key connections between the biblical text and the most pressing social justice issues of our day.

New York, NY – November 2021 – CCAR Press, a division of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, is honored to announce its newest publication, The Social Justice Torah Commentary. Edited by Rabbi Barry H. Block of Congregation B’nai Israel in Little Rock, Arkansas, the volume includes an introduction by Rabbi Andrea L. Weiss, PhD, the Jack, Joseph, and Morton Mandel Provost at Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion, and an afterword by Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism.

The Social Justice Torah Commentary demonstrates the continued relevance of the Torah as inspiration for furthering activism and progressive values. Each Torah portion is linked to a contemporary social justice issue, with authors exploring such topics as climate change, mass incarceration, immigration, systemic racism, disability, voting rights, and reproductive justice. Ideal for weekly Torah study, the volume also serves as a vital, timely guide for those committed to tikkun olam, repairing the world.

“I set out to edit The Social Justice Torah Commentary so that students of Torah could find motivation to engage in tikkun olam and Jewish activists could find grounding in sacred text,” said Rabbi Block. “I am grateful to the contributors—scholars who are deeply engaged in social justice work—for bringing their amazing insights to readers.”

“Week after week, our rabbis—the sages of our era—provide us with Torah vision, teaching, and guidelines for how to respond to today’s crises and remind us of the imperative to put what we learn into concrete efforts for change. What an extraordinary compilation,” said Ruth W. Messinger, global ambassador for the American Jewish World Service. “Have you been challenged by others telling you the Torah has nothing useful to say about the most serious problems of our time? Tell them to think again, and buy this book.”

The anthology brings together a wide variety of Jewish leaders from across denominations. Among them are Rabbi Marla Feldman, executive director of Women of Reform Judaism; Ilana Kaufman, executive director of the Jews of Color Initiative; Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum, spiritual leader of Congregation Beit Simchat Torah of New York City, the world’s largest historically LGBTQ synagogue; Rabbi Sandra Lawson, director of racial diversity and inclusion for Reconstructing Judaism; Rabbi Noa Sattath, Executive Director of the Association for Civil Rights in Israel; and Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, the author of seventeen books on Jewish ethics and president and dean of Valley Beit Midrash in Phoenix, Arizona.

“Hallelujah! With profound insight and invigorating courage, this volume shines the light of the Torah on the urgent issues of our time,” said Rabbi Rachel Timoner, senior rabbi of Congregation Beth Elohim in Brooklyn, New York. “Here we have many of the most admired and trusted rabbinic voices of our generation grounding today’s essential redemption work in the eternal wisdom of our tradition. I need this book, and you do too.”

“The Social Justice Torah Commentary exemplifies the CCAR’s commitment to using the Torah’s wisdom to guide our pursuit of justice,” said Rabbi Hara Person, chief executive of the Central Conference of American Rabbis. “We hope it will inspire readers throughout the Jewish community to take action for many years to come.”

The book is the second Rabbi Block has edited for CCAR Press, following The Mussar Torah Commentary: A Spiritual Path to Living a Meaningful and Ethical Life, finalist for the 2020 National Jewish Book Award in the Contemporary Jewish Life and Practice category. The Social Justice Torah Commentary is available at socialjustice.ccarpress.org.

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To request review copies, interview opportunities, or to book author events, please contact:

Raquel Fairweather
Marketing and Sales Manager, CCAR Press
rfairweather@ccarnet.org
P. (212) 972-3636 x241

 

New smartphone app, based on the book by Rabbi Debra J. Robbins, helps users engage in personal contemplation during the month of Elul and the High Holy Day season.

 

New York, NY – August 2021 – CCAR Press, a division of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, is honored to announce its newest smartphone app, Psalm 27: Opening Your Heart. The app, available for iOS and Android phones, is based on the book Opening Your Heart with Psalm 27: A Spiritual Practice for the Jewish New Year by Rabbi Debra J. Robbins, which was published by CCAR Press in 2019. Rabbi Robbins serves Temple Emanu-El in Dallas, Texas.

The Psalm 27: Opening Your Heart app similarly guides the user through a reflective process in the weeks leading up to the High Holy Days and through the festival of Sukkot. Each day presents a phrase from Psalm 27, a focused reflection, and an opportunity to write and sit quietly. The app includes all the essentials: spoken versions of the psalm, daily reminders, writing prompts, and a meditation timer. Also included are a variety of meaningful photographs and musical settings of the text by contemporary musicians and cantors.

Rabbi Dan Medwin, CCAR’s Director of Digital Media, said, “This is the most beautiful app we have created so far, with design elements intended to convey the calm which can be achieved through the mediative practice. We have gathered an amazing collection of original music to further enhance the experience.” While the app is intended to be used to help users prepare for the High Holy Days, it can also be used all year round by those who would like to engage in a more consistent routine.

The app’s companion book emerged from Rabbi Robbins’s own spiritual practice. She began reading the psalm daily in Elul, then began writing, and then added specific reflections and music to her ritual. When she shared her reflections with others, they encouraged her to compile a book. What emerged was a volume that helps us consider the deeper meaning of Psalm 27’s fourteen verses and reflect on our relationships, choices, beliefs, and practices during the month of Elul and the High Holy Day and Festival season.

“We created the app in response to requests from many people who have used the book, lay people and clergy alike. I’m grateful to everyone who shared their feedback and encouraged us to develop this twenty-first-century digital tool for spiritual practice,” said Rabbi Robbins. “I hope people will use the app in a variety of ways. It can be a complement to using the book or it can be used on its own. What I hope most is that people will use the app to do the real work of this season, open their hearts, and then be moved to continue that spiritual work into the new year.”

The Psalm 27 app joins CCAR’s preexisting collection of mobile applications. Among them are the Reform Luach, a calendar app designed specifically for the Reform Movement; Omer: A Counting, which, like its companion book, helps users along the transformative path from Passover to Shavuot; and Daily Blessings, which offers a full array of traditional and innovative blessings for life’s sacred moments. All CCAR Press apps are available for use on both Apple and Android devices.

The Psalm 27: Opening Your Heart app is now available to download in the Apple App Store and on Google Play. The book can be ordered on ccarpress.org. CCAR Press also offers a free downloadable study guide ideally suited to adult education, book clubs, or individual study. Rabbi Robbins is available to teach at community events.

A collection of twenty diverse essays by leading Reform rabbis, educators, and thinkers that highlight their personal encounters with God in everyday life.

 

New York, NY – August 2021 – CCAR Press, a division of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, is honored to announce its newest publication, Because My Soul Longs for You: Integrating Theology into Our Lives. The book is coedited by Rabbi Edwin C. Goldberg of Congregation Beth Shalom in The Woodlands, Texas, and Rabbi Elaine S. Zecher of Temple Israel in Boston. It includes an introduction by Rabbi Joseph A. Skloot, PhD, the Rabbi Aaron D. Panken Assistant Professor of Modern Jewish Intellectual History at Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion in New York.

Because My Soul Longs for You responds to one of the most enduring human questions: Where can we find God in our lives? The book’s answer is that holiness can be found in everyday experiences. Contributors discuss how they welcome Divine presence into their lives in ways that both align with and depart from the traditional ideas of how to encounter God. Among others, the authors explore moments of connection that arise from praying, studying Jewish texts, writing poetry, cooking food, playing music, taking part in acts of service, engaging in physical activity, meditating, and developing interpersonal relationships.

“Instead of asking ‘Do you believe in God?’ Rabbis Zecher and Goldberg ask the more fruitful ‘How do you experience God?’” said Rabbi Angela Buchdahl, Senior Rabbi of New York City’s Central Synagogue. “Their book compiles the transformative experiences of twenty souls who share their encounter with the Divine. Through their stories, we access new language for understanding how we might discover God in our lives, and perhaps realize that God has been with us all along.”

The anthology brings together a diverse group of rabbis and teachers. Among them are Rabbi Anne Brenner, LCSW, a professor at the Academy for Jewish Religion in California and a psychotherapist; Rabbi Rebecca L. Dubowe, the world’s first female Deaf rabbi; Ilana Kurshan, a teacher at the Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem and the author of the award-winning memoir If All the Seas Were Ink; Rabbi Hara Person, Chief Executive of the Central Conference of American Rabbis; and Rabbi John L. Rosove, Senior Rabbi Emeritus of Temple Israel of Hollywood and national co-chair of JStreet’s Rabbinic and Cantorial Cabinet.

“This book is not only phenomenal, it is also phenomenological—it relates to the ways in which God is experienced rather than simply conceptualized,” said Rabbi Dr. Michael Marmur, Associate Professor and former Provost at Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion, Jerusalem. “These highly reflective and courageous essays evoke the biblical image of a graceful animal thirsting for water at the brook. So the soul longs for God, experienced in various life situations and described with both beauty and honesty. Because My Soul Longs for You places the soul where it belongs—in the lives and experiences of persons.”

“We think of prayer and study as ways to engage with God, but what about cooking, writing, and making art? Where can we find spirituality in the midst of fear, grief, and conflict? This book brings together some of today’s most creative Jewish minds to answer these questions and many more,” said Rafael Chaiken, Director of CCAR Press. “We hope it will encourage readers to find personal practices that strengthen their own connection to God.”

Because My Soul Longs for You: Integrating Theology into Our Lives is available at CCARPress.org.

New Resolution Calls for Minimum of 12 Weeks Paid Parental Leave as Crucial Step Toward Gender Equality

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 21, 2021
Press Inquiries: Elliot Levy, elliot.levy@berlinrosen.com, Eleanor Naiman, eleanor.naiman@berlinrosen.com 

New York, NY – The Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR) passed a resolution last week affirming the importance of caregiving and urging all Reform Jewish institutions to guarantee a minimum of 12 weeks paid parental leave for every employee, regardless of gender identity or presentation, sexual orientation, race, religious affiliation, or length of tenure.   

The resolution reads in part: “Just as all clergy and professional staff of synagogues and Jewish institutions spend their days caring for and supporting the Jewish community, it is the responsibility of Jewish institutions and communities to also support all staff members in their times of joy and in their times of sorrow. ‘Staff’ extends to anyone who works in our institutions, in any capacity. Parental leave is a Jewish value and is one that must be acted upon with care whether after the birth, adoption, or fostering of a child, for parents of any and all genders, including male, nonbinary, trans, and all other folks.”  

The resolution, drafted in collaboration with the Women’s Rabbinic Network, notes that women have often disproportionately carried caregiving responsibilities within families and argues that offering parental leave to all employees would be a key step toward advancing gender equity.   

“Over the past year, the pandemic has laid bare the challenges faced by women and primary caregivers, from job insecurity to declining mental and physical health. There is a clear need for immediate and systemic change to advance gender equity in the workplace, including instituting a minimum of 12 weeks paid parental leave. This resolution is one step toward bringing about that change,” said Rabbi Hara Person, Chief Executive of CCAR. “In partnership with the Women’s Rabbinic Network, and in gratitude for their leadership on this issue, we will continue to advocate for employment policies and working conditions within Reform Jewish institutions that promote gender equality, in accordance with our values as a Jewish community.”  

With its recognition that parental leave is a Jewish value, CCAR reaffirms its commitment to confronting and eliminating gender bias and supporting working parents and families of all kinds. This resolution, alongside the ongoing work of CCAR’s Task Force on the Experience of Women in the Rabbinate, furthers CCAR’s aim to lead a culture change within the Reform Movement and enhance the professional and personal lives of Reform rabbis, particularly women rabbis.  

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About the Central Conference of American Rabbis 

The Central Conference of American Rabbis is the Reform Rabbinic leadership organization. The CCAR strengthens the Jewish community by providing religious, spiritual, ethical and intellectual leadership and wisdom. CCAR and its members lead the Reform Movement on important spiritual, social, cultural and human rights issues, as it has done since 1889. CCAR also is the center for lifelong rabbinic learning, professional development, and resources for the 2,100 rabbis who serve more than 1.5 million Reform Jews throughout North America, Israel and the world. Since its founding, the CCAR has also served as the primary publisher of the Reform Movement through CCAR Press and its imprint Reform Judaism Publishing. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 11, 2021
Press Inquiries: Tamar Anitai, Director of Strategic Communications, Central Conference of American Rabbis, tanitai@ccarnet.org

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The CCAR is delighted to announce a new initiative, the Heartland Fellowship, made possible by a generous grant from an anonymous donor.

This fellowship will enable the CCAR to supplement the salary and provide other critical benefits to rabbis who accept select pulpits in smaller U.S. cities and towns experiencing a decline in Jewish populations.

With smaller, more remote communities experiencing a decrease in synagogue membership and often a decrease in those synagogues’ financial wherewithal, it has become increasingly more difficult for these Reform congregations to remain competitive in the rabbinic placement process.

Over the next eight years, the CCAR Heartland Fellowship pilot program will place two rabbis in challenged communities in year one, a third rabbi in year two, and a fourth rabbi in year three. Each rabbi will engage with a fellowship-congregation in a three-year contract, plus a possible three-year renewal contract. Financial supplements will be earmarked for pension benefits, cost of medical insurance for the rabbi and their families, and the balance to supplement the rabbi’s salary to bring it on par with peers.

Heartland Fellows will also receive specialized support in the form of mentoring and coaching to help strengthen their professional and pastoral skills and learn additional skill sets necessary for rabbis in these unique settings.

The first two Heartland Fellows will be placed during the CCAR placement process beginning in Spring 2022. Rabbi Cindy G. Enger, CCAR Director of Rabbinic Career Services, will implement and oversee this program.

In order to be eligible, rabbis must be members in good standing with the CCAR and either newly ordained or have been ordained within five years. Congregations interested in being considered will apply through the CCAR Office of Rabbinic Career Services, as should those rabbis who are interested in serving in these communities.

“We are so deeply grateful to be able to make a commitment to helping challenged Jewish communities and their Reform synagogues to survive and thrive,” said Rabbi Hara Person, CCAR Chief Executive. “This grant is a win-win, enabling rabbis to experience the joys of small congregation life, and allows these communities to be served by full-time rabbis. This program also helps us invest in developing this unique cohort of rabbis for these vital communities.”

The Heartland Fellowship will be a prestigious addition to a Reform rabbi’s professional accomplishments, help secure the financial futures of these rabbis in challenged Jewish communities, help grow the unique offerings of the CCAR, and, overall, help challenged Jewish communities and their Reform synagogues survive and grow.

For more information, contact Rabbi Cindy G. Enger, Director of Rabbinic Career Services, Central Conference of American Rabbis, cenger@ccarnet.org

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About the Central Conference of American Rabbis:  The Central Conference of American Rabbis is the Reform Rabbinic leadership organization. The CCAR strengthens the Jewish community by providing religious, spiritual, ethical, and intellectual leadership and wisdom. CCAR and its members lead the Reform Movement on important spiritual, social, cultural and human rights issues, as it has done since 1889. CCAR also is the center for lifelong rabbinic learning, professional development, and resources for the 2,100 rabbis who serve more than 1.5 million Reform Jews throughout North America, Israel, and the world. Since its founding, the CCAR has also served as the primary publisher of the Reform Movement through CCAR Press and its imprint, Reform Judaism Publishing.