Long Island's Oldest Reform Congregation
140 Central Avenue - Lawrence, NY 11559
(516) 239-1140

Alan Hartstein

As I sit and reflect about the recent Biennial I attended, I can’t help but think how good it was to visit with old friends, make new ones and to share a common prayer experience with almost 5000 fellow Reform Jews. Above all, I realized firsthand, that both the Union and these fellow Jews, along with us, are here for one common goal “the survival and perpetuation of Reform Judaism.”

We all face the same challenges and need to work together to meet them.

I realized that past is history, the present is now and we must all work together to make a brighter and stronger future.

While lack of participation does not mean lack of caring, we must all work together in an active manner, to dedicate ourselves to the growth of Temple Israel and Reform Judaism in the 21st century. In the words of Rabbi Yoffie “we are all just caretakers of the sacred and we cannot let anyone or anything interfere with our sacred task”.

Reform Judaism is ever changing and if we do not evolve with this change we will be swept by and possibly languish in the past. Seeing Reform Judaism work on a national level was a great awakening. There are so many good people working to build our movement.

Actions are the key to facing challenges and perpetuating Reform Judaism. People copy actions, not empty words. We must be more proactive as individuals. Every congregation must be able to count on every member to share and participate.

Our job as lay leaders is to set policy and lead by example. We cannot get bogged down by minutia. We need everyone to participate.

Each day from dawn until late at night the conference was filled with seminars, prayer services, singing and above all a strong sense that Reform Judaism is very much alive and well, as we move into the 21st century. Please join us at the next regional biennial and experience firsthand what a little faith and a lot of hard work can accomplish.