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As we navigate turbulent times, in which divisive rhetoric and policies threaten many of our fundamental values, now more than ever we need rabbis to speak with moral clarity and lead their congregations to act for justice.
The Rabbinic Moral Leadership Gathering will bring together over 100 Reform rabbis from across North America to learn from one another about leading their congregations to act with moral clarity at the local, state/provincial, and federal levels. This gathering will amplify the Reform Movement’s rabbinic social justice voice to shape national conversation and culture; to inspire, engage and activate more Reform Jews in the pursuit of just policies; and to inform and influence public officials.
We believe that a gathering of rabbis to hone skills, provide one another with support, and share strategies in this unique time will help our Movement’s leaders oppose a culture of hate and bring about a culture in which love, equality and justice prevail.
Take a look at the gathering agenda!
Some details and times may change before Monday.
LOGISTICS
WHERE: CHICAGO, IL
The gathering will be held at the Hyatt Rosemont Hotel, 6350 N River Rd, Rosemont, IL 60018 (near Chicago O'Hare Airport). **If utilizing the complimenatry shuttle from Chicago O'Hare Airport to the Hyatt Rosemont, please be sure to use the shuttle for the Hyatt Rosemont specifically (which is clearly marked on the side of the shuttle bus). There are multiple Hyatt hotels in the area, and we want to be sure you make it to the correct hotel.**
WHEN: DECEMBER 17-18, 2018
The gathering will begin with lunch at 12:00PM CT on Monday, December 17 and will conclude at 4:00PM CT on Tuesday, December 18. Registration will begin on Monday morning at 11:00AM.
The RAC has a limited number of rooms reserved for Sunday, December 16 to accommodate those attendees traveling from a location without Monday morning flight options.
COST: $180
The RAC is subsidizing food and hotel costs for the gathering. Attendees will book their own travel and pay a $180 registration fee. A limited number of scholarships and travel subsidies are available if needed; please contact Elizabeth Leff (eleff@rac.org) to learn more about these resources.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT IS THE RABBINIC MORAL LEADERSHIP GATHERING?
The RAC’s Rabbinic Moral Leadership Gathering will amplify the Reform Movement’s rabbinic social justice voice to shape national conversations and culture, inspire, engage and activate more Reform Jews in the pursuit of just policies and inform and influence public officials. This gathering will provide skills for rabbinic leaders and inspiration for social justice work to be a central component of congregational life.
The goal of the gathering is to cultivate Reform rabbis across North America who will lead their communities to act with a moral voice. The purpose of the training is to:
✔ Inspire rabbis to guide their congregants to act together on the economic, social, and moral injustices that face our communities;
✔ Prepare rabbis to lead with courage by teaching them the skills to address controversial issues within their congregations; and
✔ Create a kehillah that will support rabbis to act by fostering relationships and developing an ongoing network of peer groups that will sustain them as they move forward.
WHO IS THE RABBINIC MORAL LEADERSHIP GATHERING FOR?
The Rabbinic Moral Leadership Gathering aims to bring together Reform rabbis from all backgrounds and levels of engagement with social justice. We believe this will be a stronger gathering if it includes rabbis who are just beginning the process of bringing social justice to their congregation and those who’ve had decades of experience in mobilizing their congregation to engage in the work of tikkun olam. During the gathering, we will learn from one another’s successes and challenges, so no matter your comfort or experience with Jewish social justice work, you have something to learn and something to teach at this gathering.
The goals of this gathering are focused to support members of the CCAR serving URJ congregations.
WHERE AND WHEN DOES THE GATHERING TAKE PLACE?
The gathering takes place at the Hyatt Rosemont (6350 N River Rd) in Rosemont, IL (near O'Hare International Airport). Programming begins at 12:00pm CT on Monday, December 17 and concludes at 4:00pm CT on Tuesday, December 18, 2018.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO ATTEND THE GATHERING?
The cost of the gathering is $180, which includes a hotel room and meals. Participants are responsible for making their own travel arrangements.
IS THE RAC OFFERING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO HELP PEOPLE WITH THE COST OF THE GATHERING?
A limited number of travel subsidies will be available on a first come, first serve basis. For more information about these subsidies, email Elizabeth Leff (eleff@rac.org).
DO PARTICIPANTS NEED TO BOOK THEIR OWN HOTEL ROOMS? WILL PARTICIPANTS BE ROOMING WITH OTHERS?
Upon conference registration, hotel reservations will be made on behalf of participants at the Hyatt Rosemont. Participants will have single rooms.
WHEN SHOULD PARTICIPANTS ARRIVE AT THE GATHERING?
Please book your travel so that you arrive the morning of Monday, December 17 in time for the 12:00pm start of the gathering. The RAC has a limited number of rooms reserved for Sunday, December 16 to accommodate those attendees traveling from a location without Monday morning flight options. If a hotel room is needed for dates outside of Sunday or Monday night, the hotel will request payment for the additional nights at check in. The gathering concludes on Tuesday, December 18 at 4:00pm.
WHICH AIRPORT SHOULD PARTICIPANTS FLY INTO? AND HOW CAN PARTICIPANTS GET TO THE HOTEL FROM THE AIRPORT?
We recommend flying into Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), as it is very close to the Hyatt Rosemont. The Hyatt Rosemont provides complimentary 24-hour airport transportation from O’Hare International Airport. **Be sure to utilize the shuttle for the Hyatt Rosemont specifically. There are multiple Hyatt hotels in the area, and we want to be sure you make it to the correct place.**
WHAT COMES NEXT?
We encourage all interested rabbis to attend and bring a delegation to the RAC's 2019 Consultation on Conscience, taking place in Washington, DC May 19-21, 2019. The RAC’s flagship social justice conference, the Consultation is another key opportunity for rabbis to engage in leadership development, network building, and to work towards strengthening their congregation’s social justice work.
If you have additional questions about the gathering, please email Elizabeth Leff.
The Rabbinic Moral Leadership Gathering is made possible by the support of the Righteous Persons Foundation.
