The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ) is the major congregational organization of
Conservative Judaism
Conservative Judaism, known as Masorti Judaism outside North America, is a Jewish religious movement which regards the authority of ''halakha'' (Jewish law) and traditions as coming primarily from its people and community through the generati ...
in North America, and the largest Conservative Jewish communal body in the world. USCJ closely works with the
Rabbinical Assembly, the international body of Conservative
rabbi
A rabbi () is a spiritual leader or religious teacher in Judaism. One becomes a rabbi by being ordained by another rabbi – known as '' semikha'' – following a course of study of Jewish history and texts such as the Talmud. The basic form o ...
s. It coordinates and assists the activities of its member communities on all levels.
History
Representatives of twenty-two Jewish congregations in North America met at the
Jewish Theological Seminary on 23 February 1913.
[Jewish Synagogues Unite]
. ''The New York Times'', 24 February 1913. p. 6. The representatives formed the United Synagogue of America to develop and perpetuate Conservative Judaism.
[USCJ History]
. ''United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism''. The group elected Rabbi
A rabbi () is a spiritual leader or religious teacher in Judaism. One becomes a rabbi by being ordained by another rabbi – known as '' semikha'' – following a course of study of Jewish history and texts such as the Talmud. The basic form o ...
Dr. Solomon Schechter the first president
President most commonly refers to:
*President (corporate title)
* President (education), a leader of a college or university
* President (government title)
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Automobiles
* Nissan President, a 1966–2010 Japanese ...
.[
The name of the organization was changed to the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism in 1991.
]
Role and description
United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism has 572 affiliated congregations .
Programs
USCJ sponsors the following programs:Young & Young Adult Programs. ''United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism''.
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* 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
* Masorti on Campus
* United Synagogue Youth
* Fuchsberg Center
References
External links
*
Guide to the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism Soviet Jewry Collection
at the American Jewish Historical Society
The American Jewish Historical Society (AJHS) was founded in 1892 with the mission to foster awareness and appreciation of American Jewish history and to serve as a national scholarly resource for research through the collection, preservation an ...
, New York.
{{Authority control
Jewish organizations established in 1913
1913 establishments in New York (state)