World's Reform Rabbis, Largest Group of Jewish Clergy Convene in San Francisco on March 7 - 10

SAN FRANCISCO, CA--(Marketwire - March 8, 2010) - The World's Reform rabbis will convene in San Francisco Sunday, March 7 through Wednesday, March 10 for the 121st Convention of the Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR). CCAR is the representative organization of nearly 2,000 Reform rabbis, the world's largest group of Jewish clergy.

Nearly 500 Reform rabbis will gather to strengthen the Reform movement's approach to innovations in the Jewish community, helping congregants, keeping families connected to Judaism and to address intermarriage.

The Convention is open to media who provide advance notification. In addition, CCAR President Rabbi Ellen W. Dreyfus is available on the scene for conversations.

MAJOR THEMES

• New Visions for Our Jewish Communities. The CCAR will hold discussions on reimagining the Jewish community; topics include synagogues, rabbis, the larger Jewish communal world and the role of technology.
  
  
• Keeping Families Connected to Judaism. Discussions on how to help families embrace Jewish living and be engaged in the community.
  
  
• Innovations in Jewish Life. Opportunities to connect with the innovative spirit of San Francisco. Events include discussions, explorations within San Francisco and studies geared towards encouraging ways to enhance Jewish communities and the rabbi's role as an innovator.

KEY EVENTS

This year's events include:

• Report by the CCAR's Interfaith Marriage Task Force. As a result of a 30-month study, the Task Force will address the rabbi's role in engaging intermarried families in Jewish life and living. The Task Force will report on its findings to date, including overarching insights it has gained.
  
  
• Reform Movement Breakfast. The CCAR has invited the leadership of the Union of Reform Judaism and the Hebrew Union College -- Jewish Institute to co-host a breakfast, study and important conversation regarding the future of Jewish life and the role of the Reform Movement.
  
  
• Learning Innovative Techniques in San Francisco. Innovative techniques will be learned at The Contemporary Jewish Museum, The Mission District, North Beach, Baker Beach, Islamic Society of San Francisco, The Marsh Theater and Marin County.
  
  
• Reimagining the Jewish Community. Exploring new visions for the Rabbinate, the synagogue, and Jewish life through technology, different models of leadership, and other cutting-edge ideas.

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

The Convention will cover and include:

• Educating Congregations and Communities about Contemporary Issues Confronting Israel: Using modern music, films and books to explore how Israelis see themselves and how to accurately portray the Israel of today to the CCAR's communities. Additionally, the CCAR will discuss the best ways to foster constructive dialogue within Jewish communities about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and other difficult issues.
  
  
• Why Israeli Arabs are a Jewish Issue: A discussion of why Israel's treatment of its minority Arab population is an issue of Jewish values and how the work of the North American Jewish community on this issue is making a difference in Israel.
  
  
• Jewish-Muslim Relations in the U.S.: Aaron Hahn Tapper and Huda Abu Arqoub, the Jewish-American and Muslim-Palestinian Co-Executive Directors of Abraham's Vision, will provide a unique opportunity to discuss challenges in Jewish-Muslim relations.

KEY GUESTS

Scheduled to appear at the convention are:

• Daniel Sokatch, CEO of the New Israel Fund.
  
  
• Joe Green, Founder of CAUSES, a popular social networking and fundraising application for Facebook.
  
  
• Peter Sagal, Host of NPR's "Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me."
  
  
• Dr. Larry Brilliant, President of the Skoll Global Threats Fund, inaugural Executive Director of Google.org and former Chief Philanthropy Evangelist at Google.
  
  
• Rachel Naomi Remen, Pioneer in the holistic health movement and the role of the spirit in health.

CCAR's annual convention takes place in various cities. The conventions bring together the leaders of the Reform movement to discuss policies and programs that affect their congregations, the overall Jewish community and the secular world.

About The CCAR

The Central Conference of American Rabbis, founded in 1889, is the oldest and largest rabbinic organization in North America. As the professional organization for Reform Rabbis of North America, the CCAR projects a powerful voice in the religious life of the American and international Jewish communities. Since its establishment, the CCAR has a rich history of giving professional and personal support to Reform rabbis, providing them opportunities for study, professional development and spiritual growth beginning while they are still in seminary, through mid-careers, and into retirement. The CCAR is uniquely positioned to meet the ongoing needs of its nearly 2,000 member rabbis (virtually the entire Reform rabbinate) and the entire Reform Jewish community. For more information please visit the CCAR's website at http://ccarnet.org/. For the latest news from the CCAR follow @ReformRabbis on Twitter.

Convention Open to Media: Advance Notification Required

To Attend CCAR Convention or Schedule a Discussion with a Leader of the Reform Rabbinate, Please Contact Itay Engelman at 212-255-8386 or itay@sommerfield.com

Contact Information: Contact: Itay Engelman Sommerfield Communications, Inc. 212-255-8386 itay@sommerfield.com