Kol Chadash

At the June 2006 meeting of the Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR), Congregation Kol Chadash officially became a member of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ). Founded in 1873, the URJ is the largest Jewish movement in North America, with over 900 member congregations.

"It was very exciting to be there as a new Union congregation and to receive the congratulations of my colleagues," said Rabbi Estelle Gottman-Mills. "We have come a long way in our two years of existence, having grown from a handful of families with an idea to build a congregation to the supportive congregational family we have become. It is not just hyperbole, but the truth that we have created a warm welcoming Jewish environment for those in the greater Solon area who want a place to come to explore and celebrate their Judaism."

Rabbi Mills stated several benefits of URJ membership for Kol Chadash. "We can take advantage of the URJ having negotiated lower rates for synagogue insurance, for credit card processing, great discounts at OfficeMax or for buying a Dell computer (that one is available to individuals also.) We can even now have our web site hosted by the URJ at no cost to us. Another benefit of becoming a member congregation that is immediate is that anyone who now goes to the URJ website and searches for congregations in Ohio can see our congregation listed and click on the link that will bring them to our website."

Congregation Kol Chadash is excited to be a member of the URJ, and looks forward to a long and productive relationship.

More information on the Union for Reform Judaism can be found on their web site, http://urj.org/.