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February 23, 2001/Shevet 30, 5761, Vol. 53, No.21
Young leaders host UJC Western Region
BARRY COHEN
Community Editor
More than 450 Jewish young adults from Oregon, Washington, California, Colorado, Nevada, Utah and Arizona shared a Shabbaton at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Phoenix, when the Young Leadership Division of the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix hosted a United Jewish Communities Western Regional Conference Feb. 16-18.
The gathering included 67 delegates from Phoenix and 30 from Tucson.
"Interest among young people in the Western region is growing. (We're) becoming more and more like the Midwest and the Northeast," said Brian Weisberg, co-chairman of the Phoenix host committee.
"It was a truly incredible conference for our community," said Kimberly Kur, co-chairwoman of the host committee.
"One of our goals was to energize local YLD members," Kur said. About 50 host committee members planned the weekend.
"This put Phoenix on the map in terms of young leadership," said Rachel Richter, YLD director. Phoenix's YLD formed just three years ago.
Delegates learned about the structure of the UJC, how funds are collected and distributed nationally and internationally and UJC's relationship with Israel, Richter said.
The conference incorporated sessions on worship, spirituality, study, politics, social action and leadership, as well as social events, including a Saturday night party at Jackson's on 3rd in downtown Phoenix.
Delegates were encouraged to contribute to a "Shampoo on Shabbat, Tikkun Olam" basket project and donated items, including shampoo, lotions, bath oil, toothbrushes, toothpaste and combs for the elderly and homeless. Phoenix YLD plans to distribute them to Kivel Geriatric Center, Jewish Family and Children's Service and Valley homeless shelters, said Kur.
A "Friday Night Live" worship service in song featured musician Craig Taubman and Rabbi Ed Feinstein, who is rabbi at Valley Beth Shalom in Encino, Calif., and an instructor at the Ziegler Rabbinical School of the University of Judaism.
The service was followed by dinner and a session tackling the issue of widespread loneliness in a world where people can connect instantly through technology.
One of four Saturday morning breakout sessions featured Cindy Chupack, who has drawn on her personal experience - being Jewish and single in New York - in her work as writer and co-executive producer of the HBO series, "Sex and the City."
The weekend also included a session on the Middle East peace process, featuring panelists Stuart Schoffman, a Jerusalem Report columnist and instructor at the Liberal Yeshivah program at Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion; Bruce Ash, member of the UJC Board of Trustees; and Rabbi Chaim Seidler-Feller, Hillel director at the University of California at Los Angeles.
Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) spoke Saturday afternoon at a Ben Gurion Society Reception for delegates who contributed at least $1,000 to the United Jewish Appeal/Federation campaign.
According to Phoenix delegate Steven Schwarz, Kyl described how "America tried to force (Israel's) hand, probably beyond their ability," and now President George W. Bush is going to let Israel take its time and determine how it wants to approach peace with the Palestinians.
Sunday morning sessions focused on social action and political action. A plenary, titled "Am I My Brother's Keeper? Our Role in Repairing the World - Make Yourself Part of the Story," featured Elaine Schreiber, UJC Western Region chairwoman; Lee Wallach, managing partner with Rocket Reporting Network, a deposition reporting firm for attorneys; Sharon Faulkner, free-lance photojournalist; and Clive Lessum, senior Jewish Agency representative to the UJC.
Breakout sessions focused on the need to embrace Jewish environmental values; to reach out to Jews worldwide to ensure their safety and security; to adopt political activism in local communities; and to use technology for tzedakah (righteous acts).
The weekend concluded with a presentation by Rabbi Gary Neuman - licensed mental health counselor and Florida Supreme Court-certified family mediator - on the Jewish view of love, sex and marriage, using Torah as a guide to creating warm and satisfying relationships.
| Next week: In-depth coverage of the nexus of leadership skills and Jewish values — environmentalism, k'lal Yisrael (the greater Jewish family), political activism and tzedakah — and how the delegates can translate this connection into action. |
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