Gain information and insights on key Jewish organizations, publications, and other resources. Whether you are Reform, Reconstructionist, Conservative, or Orthodox, there are tools to support your congregation's growth and development.

RELIGION IN AMERICA : Judaism 

Abraham, A Journey to the Heart of Three Great Faiths (Book)
Bruce Feiler, Author.  New York, NY: William Morrow, 2002.
Feiler explores the possibility of Abraham's story as the key to interfaith understanding by looking at the stories of his call, God's covenant with him, the conflict between Isaac and Ishmael, and his willingness to sacrifice his son.

An Introduction to Judaism (Book)
Nicholas de Lange, Author.  New York, NY: Cambridge University Press, 2000.
An Introduction to Judaism covers an amazingly broad range of subjects relating to both historical and contemporary Judaism and gives an objective, balanced account of the different Jewish schools of thought.

Jewish Reconstructionist Federation (Organization)
Jewish Reconstructionist Federation
As an educational association and clearinghouse for Reconstructionist Judaism, the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation (JRF) assists both Reconstructionist congregations and persons seeking to learn more about Reconstructionism.

Orthodox Union (Organization)
As the primary coordinating agency for North American Orthodox Jewish congregations, Orthodox Union provides educational, outreach, and social services in a variety of arenas.

Resources for and from Jewish Congregations (Web Resource)
Rabbi Sue Stone provides information and insights on key organizations, publications, and other resources. Congregational leaders seeking the best Jewish resources in a variety of areas will find this report and guide indispensable.

Union for Reform Judaism (Organization)
(Formerly The Union of American Hebrew Congregations.) The URJ promotes and fosters programs that support the growth of Reform Judaism; its web site features sections for learning, resources, publications, directories, and feedback.

United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (Organization)
United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism
The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism aims to advance Judaism in America, maintain Jewish traditions, further Sabbath observance, assert loyalty to the Torah, preserve in the Service references to Israel, and foster Jewish religious schools.

Becoming a Congregation of Learners: Learning as a Key to Revitalizing Congregational Life (Book)
Isa Aron, Author.  Woodstock, VT: Jewish Lights Publishing, 2000.
Dr. Isa Aron asserts that in many communities, synagogues are transforming themselves into houses of learning where adults, as well as children, may pursue a deeper understanding of their faith. This book shows explains how such transformation can occur.

Beyond the Chuppah: A Jewish Guide to Happy Marriages (Book)
Joel Crohn, Howard J. Markman, Susan L. Blumberg, Janice R. Levine, Authors.  San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass, 2001.
Beyond the Chuppah combines the most up-to-date research on marriage with the time-tested teachings of Judaism to support and enrich marriages—particularly those in which one or both partners are Jewish.

Cast in God's Image: Discover Your Personality Type Using the Enneagram and Kabbalah (Book)
Howard A. Addison, Author.  Woodstock, VT: Jewish Lights Publishing, 2001.
Combining the Enneagram's rather negative view of the human condition with the uplifting views of the Kabbalah, Rabbi Howard Addison lays the groundwork for people to delve more deeply into their own and others' personalities.

Council for Jews with Special Needs, Inc. (Organization)
Facilitating access to religious, cultural, and social services and institutions is the primary mission of the Council for Jews with Special Needs, Inc.

Judaism and Disability: Portrayals in Ancient Texts from the Tanach through the Bavli (Book)
Rabbi Judith Z. Abrams, Author.  Gallaudet University Press, 1998.
For today’s Jewish clergy, educators, and other service providers, as well as for individuals with disabilities and their families, this book offers a thorough exploration of the Jewish historical perspective on special needs.

National Association for Temple Administration (Organization)
NATA
The association fosters Reform Judaism, provides education in effective temple administration, and distributes administrative and procedural information to members and others.

North American Association of Synagogue Executives (Organization)
NAASE
The North American Association of Synagogue Executives convenes and supports Jewish Executive Directors of the Conservative Movement by developing the profession and by enabling administrators to serve their congregations effectively.

Opening the Gates: How Proactive Conversion Can Revitalize the Jewish Community (Book)
Gary A. Tobin, Author.  San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass, 1999.
Author Gary Tobin asserts that the American Jewish community must engage in proactive conversion to grow and remain vital.

Rethinking Synagogues: A New Vocabulary for Congregational Life (Book)
Lawrence A. Hoffman, Author.  Woodstock, VT: Jewish Lights Publishing, 2006.
In order to thrive, synagogues must become spiritual and moral centers, Lawrence Hoffman contends. He then offers a set of concepts to assist synagogue leaders in creating the transformative thinking and conversations needed to effect this change.

The Spirituality of Welcoming: How to Transform Your Congregation into a Sacred Community (Book)
Ron Wolfson, Author.  Woodstock, VT: Jewish Lights Publishing, 2006.
This book offers numerous concepts, examples, tips, and exercises to assist readers in creating and maintaining an atmosphere of welcoming in their synagogues as a means of growth and spiritual transformation.

Synagogue 3000 (Organization)
Synagogue 3000 (S3K) empowers "congregations and communities to create synagogues that are sacred and vital centers of Jewish life." Resources, ideas, and opportunities for networking are included on its Web site.

This House We Build: Lessons for Healthy Synagogues and the People Who Dwell There (Book)
Terry Bookman, William Kahn, Authors.  Herndon, VA: Alban Institute, 2007.
This book offers insights into how synagogues function, the healthy and unhealthy motivations of the people involved in them, and the attitudes and actions necessary to build and maintain a healthy faith community.

The Way into Jewish Prayer (Book)
Lawrence A. Hoffman, Author.  Woodstock, VT: Jewish Lights Publishing, 2000.
Using Jewish history and thought as a foundation, The Way into Jewish Prayer explains the why, how, where, what, and when of Jewish prayer.

Your Word is Fire: The Hasidic Masters on Contemplative Prayer (Book)
Arthur Green, Barry W. Holtz, Editors.  Woodstock, VT: Jewish Lights Publishing, 2002.
Through this book, those who are both within and outside of the Orthodox strains of Judaism will find guidance for the practice of prayer and insights on the power of prayer to transform our lives.