United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism

United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism
Logo of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism
Abbreviation USCJ
Formation February 23, 1913 (1913-02-23)[1]
Founder Rabbi Dr. Solomon Schechter[2]
13-1659707[3]
Legal status 501(c)(3) religious organization[3]
Purpose Religious
Headquarters New York City
Location
  • 120 Broadway,
    New York, NY 10271
Coordinates Coordinates: 40°45′03″N 73°58′16″W / 40.7507488°N 73.9710554°W / 40.7507488; -73.9710554
Region served
North America
Chief Executive Officer
 Rabbi Steve Wernick
International President
 Margo Gold
Affiliations Conservative Judaism
Revenue (2015)
$19,332,182[4]
Expenses (2015) $15,370,930[4]
Endowment $6,000,000[4]
Website www.uscj.org
Formerly called
 United Synagogue of America

The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ) is the largest network of Conservative Jewish congregations in the world, united by a shared purpose to inspire current and future generations of Jews to seek meaning, find connection, and experience wholeness in a world that is complex and ever evolving. USCJ closely works with the Rabbinical Assembly, the international body of Conservative rabbis, the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, and the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies.[5]

USCJ works to strengthen Jewish communities inside and outside the walls of a synagogue. It functions as the network that ensures there are thriving centers of Jewish practice throughout North America, Israel, and beyond that celebrate both tradition and contemporary life. The organizations strives to demonstrate what authentic and dynamic Judaism looks like, inspire people to be a part of it, and advance its criticle role in the world.

History

Representatives of twenty-two Jewish congregations in North America met at the Jewish Theological Seminary on 23 February 1913.[1] The representatives formed the United Synagogue of America to develop and perpetuate Conservative Judaism.[1][2] The group elected Rabbi Dr. Solomon Schechter the first president.[1]

The name of the organization was changed to the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism in 1991.[6]

Role and description

United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism has 594 affiliated congregations as of 2015.[4]

Programs

USCJ sponsors the following programs:[7]

  • United Synagogue Youth (USY) is the youth movement of USCJ. The organization's mission is to empower Jewish youth to develop friendships, leadership skills, a sense of belonging to the Jewish People, a deep engagement with and love for Israel, and a commitment to inspired Jewish living through meaningful and fun experiences based on the ideology of Conservative Judaism.
  • Nativ is USCJ's academic gap year program in Israel for in-bound college freshmen.
  • The Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem is USCJ's learning community in Israel.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Jewish Synagogues Unite". The New York Times, 24 February 1913. p. 6.
  2. 1 2 "USCJ History". United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.
  3. 1 2 "United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism". Exempt Organizations Select Check. Internal Revenue Service. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Financial Statements and Auditor's Report" (PDF). United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. June 30, 2015. Archived from the original (pdf) on October 20, 2016. Retrieved October 27, 2015.
  5. ↑ "Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies Archived 2012-05-01 at the Wayback Machine.". American Jewish University.
  6. ↑ Menken, Yaakov (2005). The Everything Torah Book: All You Need To Understand The Basics Of Jewish Law And The Five Books Of The Old Testament (2nd ed.). Avon, Massachusetts, United States: Adams Media. p. 177. ISBN 978-1593373252.
  7. ↑ Young & Young Adult Programs. United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.
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