Kehillat Shaarei Torah
2640 Bayview Avenue
Sunday, May 14, 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
The Orthodox Union Department of Community and Synagogue Services will present the latest in a series of regional seminars/leadership development programs on synagogue administration when it comes to Toronto on Sunday, May 14 with sessions devoted to synagogue fundraising and developing volunteers. The program is directed to synagogue rabbis, presidents, executive directors and board members and has been held in communities throughout North America.
The seminar will take place at Kehillat Shaarei Torah, 2640 Bayview Avenue from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. It is free for leaders of OU synagogues with an $18 charge for leaders of not-yet-OU member synagogues. It is expected that participants will come from Toronto, London, Ottawa and Buffalo.
The program will include:
* Synagogue Fundraising, with Rabbi Dave Felsenthal, Director of Alumni for NCSY, the OU’s youth program;
* Developing Committed Volunteers Within the Synagogue and Board, with Frank Buchweitz, OU National Director of Community Services and Special Projects; and
* A luncheon session at which Frank Buchweitz and Rabbi Mayer Waxman, OU Director of Synagogue Services, will lead a discussion on Synagogue Needs and share a listing of Orthodox Union programs available to synagogues.
The program will include a distinct Canadian flavor: Frank Buchweitz was formerly a day school Vice Principal for years and involved in kiruv (outreach) in Toronto, while Rabbi Waxman was born in Winnipeg.
“The OU’s Department of Community and Synagogue Services is pleased to present its regional seminars for synagogue administration in locations all over North America,” Frank Buchweitz and Rabbi Waxman declared in a statement. “There are certain basics that are central to the core of every synagogue to grow and thrive. These include fundraising and leadership development. We are therefore pleased to be able to share the OU’s expertise in these areas with the synagogues.”
“However,” they added, “each community differs in terms of its issues and needs. The session on synagogue needs and the OU programs to respond to them will be tailored to the Toronto regional area in general and to the specific shuls in attendance. We therefore encourage leadership from the entire area to attend this unique program.”