March 2020 Newsletter

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Dear Webmasters:

I hope that you and your families are staying safe and healthy during this difficult time. As the coronavirus outbreak continues and people are spending more time than ever at home, we're working hard to create helpful, timely, and interesting Jewish content that will help your congregants stay busy and Jewishly engaged. To help you with that sacred responsibility, the URJ has created and compiled extensive resources, tools, and content.

If your congregation is hosting an online event, such as a seder, that is open to the public, please fill out this form to put it on the ReformJudaism.org virtual event calendar. (Please note that this form is only for the types of events listed. If you are streaming worship services, please update your listing in the Congregational Portal.)

Watch the recording of the Tuesday, March 17, Reform Movement virtual gathering to share support and information about COVID-19, and access links to an array of follow-up resources.

Also remember, at any time, you can share learnings and ask questions in the Communications group in The Tent.

It's strange to think about preparing for Passover while the world concentrates on coronavirus countermeasures. This year, the holiday will be different for all of us, but that doesn't mean you can't celebrate. We have resources to help you hold a Passover seder in the year of coronavirus. We also have resources and step-by-step instructions on how you or your congregants can host a virtual seder.

I am pleased to share with you our brand-new RJ Web Builder 3.0 promotional video. If you know of any congregations not on our platform, please share this video with them and have them check out our information page.

We have officially launched the Reform Movement Marketplace, which connects URJ affiliated congregations to vendors, products and services with ease and convenience which can save your congregation money. If you’re looking for discounted streaming services and online meeting licenses, you’ll want to check out the early release of the Marketplace.

As a part of the Marketplace, the URJ is also pleased to make beautiful, professionally photographed stock images available to our congregations for use in their websites, bulletins, emails and program promotion. So far we have available images for ritual and Jewish life, holidays and worship. Licensing restrictions apply.

Soon we will be launching a remarkable new website where products and services from vendors will be featured alongside products and services from the URJ and our professional partner organizations, such as the Central Conference of American Rabbis, the American Conference of Cantors and more.

Continue to check out the Reform Movement Marketplace resource page on our help site for resources specific to your website needs.

Joel Emerman
Congregational Websites Manager
212.452.6579 (Central Time)

Quick Tips

How to Edit Featured Link Image

If you post a link from your website to Facebook or another social networking site and you don't like the image that appears, you can easily change it.

Did You Know

Monthly Bulletin Tip

How do I keep my congregants safe? Which types of technology can I use to best reach our members? What does community mean for Reform Jews during turbulent times? How to navigate congregational leadership in an unprecedented time? To help you navigate these universal questions – and their impact on your outreach and communications efforts – in this unique moment, consider this three-stage framework that congregational leaders have found effective in navigating this situation so far. The stages cover safety, logistics, and community-building.

Passover Print and Digital Bulletin Ads are Available

Use these Passover camera-ready ads for your congregation's newsletter or bulletin (print or email) and on your website or Facebook page.

You Can Experience the Magic of Reform Movement Camps and Teen Programs from Home

With everything from song sessions to cooking demos; pillowcase auctions to Zumba. In addition to all the fun stuff, there are plenty of opportunities to join in on important discussions, and just de-stress. There are even sessions tailored to parents! Check it out at URJYouth.org/Virtual-Communities.

Staying in Touch

We are challenged in reaching current webmasters due to high turnover and changes in email addresses. If you are receiving this email, you are the person who was reported to the URJ to be handling your congregation's website. If there are additional people who need to be on this list or if you need to get off this list, please send corrected information to datamgmt@urj.org.