To say I am glad that
Adrian and I went would be an understatement. The week at Biennial was full
of
learning, spiritual growth, and the opportunity to make new friends. I spoke
with Jews from California to South Africa. Adrian made a new friend from NJ.
There were classes on all aspects synagogue life, and many worship
opportunities. It is the latter that were my favorites. The weekday services,
though very early, were
well attended and spiritually uplifting. Though the
Friday service, with its 6,000 attendees, was an experience, my heart belongs
to the smaller services. It amazed me to see the variety of ways that Reform
Jews worship. I even saw both men and women wearing tefillin. It reminded me
what differentiates us from the other Jewish movements, and what makes the
Reform movement so exceptional and welcoming.
The classes varied
widely and covered all aspects of synagogue life. They ranged from diversity
and inclusivity to finances. If anything, there were too many good options to
choose from. That's not to say all were perfect. I went to seminars that inspired and ones
that I could have slept through. This happens at all large conventions where you
have a variety and depth of speakers.
What is important to me is that that I left most of them with something
useful or a new insight.
I don’t know that I’ll
go to the biennial in Chicago, but I would not miss another opportunity to attend
a biennial so close to home.
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