Convention 2009
CCCS Newsletter
Convention Edition
The Inaugural Convention of the Canadian Council of Conservative Synagogues took place June 5- 7th at Ruby Foo's in Montreal. The delegates hailed from three provinces as eleven shuls were represented, not all of them CCCS members. The participants were a combination of clergy, shul professionals, and lay leaders, all interested in what CCCS is and can do, and sharing the issues common to synagogue life.
The keynote speaker was Rabbi Chaim Weiner, executive director of the Masorti UK, whose Friday evening address was received with much enthusiasm, and whose experiences building community in Europeresonated strongly within the CCCS philosophy of just that: building community. Rabbi Weiner spoke several more times in the course of the convention, sharing his insights, his observations regarding our own community, and his wealth of experience. He endeared himself to the participants by his depth and his warmth.
The convention was also treated to a presentation by our own Irwin Cotler, MP and former Attorney General of Canada, who delivered a talk on anti-Semitism on Canadian campuses that was chilling, and was an eloquent call to action. Action is exactly what CCCS is going to take to address this issue, as it has approved a program that will see incoming university students and their parents educated on the political issues, and trained in how to respond to the anti-Israel and anti-Semitic rhetoric so prevalent in our universities. Morley Goldberg unveiled this CCCS program to the convention; it generated a tremendous amount of excitement, as various communities expressed a desire to be part of it.
Alan Keith of 2020 Assessment offered two sessions, one on techniques for getting to know your co-workers, colleagues, and volunteers within your shul, thereby increasing a sense of connectedness among members. The second session was on developing a culture of volunteerism within the synagogue. With much material to take home, he provided practical hands-on help for working within the synagogue. Alan is open to working with any shul within CCCS who wishes his help. Three Montreal shuls already started the process of having him work with them.
Other speakers and sessions included a session led by the current shul youth leaders on realizing the vision for youth, and a sharing session on shul issues in which feedback was offered. Another session led by Rabbi Tanenbaum dealt with how CCCS is designed to meet the needs of specific communities, and in the context of a shiur, provided spiritual depth as well as a practical approach. All of these sessions generated lively discussion.
Perhaps what generated the most enthusiasm at the convention was the davening. The Shabbat services, with Torah and siddurim provided by Shaare Zedek, Montreal, benefited from daveners drawn from all of the participants. The group had more than its share of knowledgeable daveners, it had singers galore! The entire hotel was treated to the sound of Hebrew lovingly and lustily sung, bonding the participants in a positive religious experience.
If you missed this convention, fear not. There will be another and another...
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call me at the office, 416-633-3838 X 240.
The Inaugural Convention of the Canadian Council of Conservative Synagogues took place June 5- 7th at Ruby Foo's in Montreal. The delegates hailed from three provinces as eleven shuls were represented, not all of them CCCS members. The participants were a combination of clergy, shul professionals, and lay leaders, all interested in what CCCS is and can do, and sharing the issues common to synagogue life.
The keynote speaker was Rabbi Chaim Weiner, executive director of the Masorti UK, whose Friday evening address was received with much enthusiasm, and whose experiences building community in Europeresonated strongly within the CCCS philosophy of just that: building community. Rabbi Weiner spoke several more times in the course of the convention, sharing his insights, his observations regarding our own community, and his wealth of experience. He endeared himself to the participants by his depth and his warmth.
The convention was also treated to a presentation by our own Irwin Cotler, MP and former Attorney General of Canada, who delivered a talk on anti-Semitism on Canadian campuses that was chilling, and was an eloquent call to action. Action is exactly what CCCS is going to take to address this issue, as it has approved a program that will see incoming university students and their parents educated on the political issues, and trained in how to respond to the anti-Israel and anti-Semitic rhetoric so prevalent in our universities. Morley Goldberg unveiled this CCCS program to the convention; it generated a tremendous amount of excitement, as various communities expressed a desire to be part of it.
Alan Keith of 2020 Assessment offered two sessions, one on techniques for getting to know your co-workers, colleagues, and volunteers within your shul, thereby increasing a sense of connectedness among members. The second session was on developing a culture of volunteerism within the synagogue. With much material to take home, he provided practical hands-on help for working within the synagogue. Alan is open to working with any shul within CCCS who wishes his help. Three Montreal shuls already started the process of having him work with them.
Other speakers and sessions included a session led by the current shul youth leaders on realizing the vision for youth, and a sharing session on shul issues in which feedback was offered. Another session led by Rabbi Tanenbaum dealt with how CCCS is designed to meet the needs of specific communities, and in the context of a shiur, provided spiritual depth as well as a practical approach. All of these sessions generated lively discussion.
Perhaps what generated the most enthusiasm at the convention was the davening. The Shabbat services, with Torah and siddurim provided by Shaare Zedek, Montreal, benefited from daveners drawn from all of the participants. The group had more than its share of knowledgeable daveners, it had singers galore! The entire hotel was treated to the sound of Hebrew lovingly and lustily sung, bonding the participants in a positive religious experience.
If you missed this convention, fear not. There will be another and another...
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call me at the office, 416-633-3838 X 240.
Loretta Tanenbaum
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