HaYom: The Coalition for the
Transformation of Conservative Judaism

                  An Invitation

Dear Hevre:

The Hayom Coalition is made up of the leadership of congregations across the United
States and Canada for the purpose of transforming the United Synagogue and
ultimately the Conservative Movement.   While there are large numbers of creative and
well functioning congregations of all sizes that exemplify the very best of our approach
to Jewish life, there is also a sense that we are failing as a movement.  We launched
the Hayom Coalition (see full list of names below) out of a true sense of urgency:  the
time to act is now.  Our name was chosen to convey the notion that the work that we
undertake cannot wait until tomorrow!   We are certain that synagogues and their
leadership have the power to not only challenge the institutional structure of the
Conservative Movement, but to bring our considerable resources, creativity and
expertise to bear in order to effect real and lasting change.  As a first step, 25 large
congregations were chosen based upon the size of their dues obligation in order to
create a climate in which the leaders of the USCJ would come to the table quickly and
begin a dialogue.   Now that our initial meeting has taken place, we invite all
congregations that affiliate with the Conservative Movement to join in this effort. A
serious conversation about the future of our movement is taking place and we want all
of the constituencies of our movement to be represented.

At this challenging moment, we need to have a synagogue organization that truly
speaks to the needs of our congregations and community on every level, both here and
in Israel.  What should the synagogue look like?  How can it best be supported and
promoted?  How do we seed new congregations?  How do we reach the many people
who could be part of our movement but do not find their way in? How can we re-
engineer ourselves based upon new approaches that are emerging in the Jewish
world?  The members of the Hayom Coalition believe that the answers to these
questions and many others will be found in a dynamic partnership between the heads
of our institutions and the leadership of our synagogues. I am pleased that Rabbi
Menachem Creditor has volunteered to help further develop the Hayom Coalition.   

On Thursday March 19th, the initial members of the Hayom Coalition met with the
leadership of the USCJ in New York.  The meeting was serious, candid and positive.  
Our group made it clear that we see ourselves as stake holders in the USCJ and that we
feel a true sense of urgency.   More importantly we intend to partner with the
leadership of the USCJ on every level.  We are asking that:

    •        A strategic planning committee be put together immediately and have one
    year to complete its work.
    •        the process be transparent in every way and  seek input from leadership
    and grassroots
    •         a professional be hired to manage the process
    •        clear benchmarks and timelines be established
    •        the USCJ give us an answer within 30 days of the meeting

Finally, the congregations involved have committed $25,000.00 to begin this vital
effort.   It is imperative that this national conversation have a good cross section of
synagogues, and the benefit of their leadership and perspectives. We envision an
inclusive process of gathering ideas, data, and feedback, not only for the benefit of
our strategic plan, but also to bring us closer together for the ultimate renewal of our
movement.    

If you and your congregation are interested in joining us we ask that you include the
President of your congregation.     In addition, we ask that a monetary contribution be
made to Hayom in order to help in this effort.  The initial larger congregations are each
committing 1000.00; depending on the size of your congregation and its means, we
would suggest a contribution anywhere between $250.00 and $1000.00.  We will use
these monies to fund, in conjunction with the USCJ the type of long range plan that
our movement so richly deserves.  Please send your name, email, as well as the name
of your appointed lay person, and that of your congregation to Antoinette Nuňez, my
Administrative Assistant, at anunez@ansheemet.org.  

Friends, this is an urgent moment in our history, together we can seize the day!    

Sincerely,

Michael Siegel              

                                   
Rabbi Richard Camras               Barry Wolfe        
Rabbi Mark Cooper                   Barry Bearg        Peter Drucker
Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove                Steven M. Friedman        
Rabbi Menachem Creditor       Jeff Rosenbloom        
Rabbi Alexander Davis             Marshall Lehman        
Rabbi Ed Feinstein                  Andrew Hyman        
Rabbi Wayne Franklin             Nathan Beraha        
Rabbi Baruch Frydman Kohl                
Rabbi Bill Gershon                  Hylton Jonas        
Rabbi Felipe Goodman            David Steinberg        
Rabbi Bill Hamilton                 Noah Roffman        
Rabbi David Kalender            Edward Weiss        
Rabbi Joseph Krakoff             Brian Hermelin        
Rabbi Harold Kravitz             Judy Cook        
Rabbi Alan Lucas                  Susan Zelman        
Rabbi Jack Moline                 Evelina Moulder        
Rabbi Joel Rembaum            Diane Shapiro        
Rabbi David Rosen               Stuart Wilson        
Rabbi Phil Scheim                Carrie Orfus Gelkopf        
Rabbi Michael Siegel          Jay Goodgold        
Rabbi Alan Silverstein         Bill Lipsey        
Rabbi Barry Starr              Arthur Spar        
Rabbi David Steinhardt        Roger Leavy        Fred Weiss
Rabbi Gordon Tucker          Mark Zeichner        
Rabbi Steve Weiss             Dick Myers        
Rabbi Irvin Wise                Nina Paul        
Rabbi David Wolpe             Kurt Smalberg        
Rabbi David Glanzberg-Krainin        Fred Wolfson        
Hazzan Jacob Ben Zion Mendelson                
Hazzan Alberto Mizrahi                
Hazzan David Propis