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Program Directors of Reform Judaism
Welcome to the home of the Program Directors of Reform Judaism. Our mission is to form a professional association for those whose primary focus is program development within the Union for Reform Judaism framework.
This site provides resources for Synagogues contemplating the addition of a Program Director to their staff, for existing Program Directors in Reform Synagogues, and for individuals thinking about becoming Program Directors.
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PDRJ members made over 90 scarves for Out of the Cold, a social action program from Holy Blossom Synagogue in Toronto. The Out of The Cold program is a non-denominational coalition working to ease the plight of homelessness and socially isolated people in Toronto, during the winter months. PDRJ members did this as part of their annual conference in November 2009.
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 Hello! Welcome to the official website for the Program Directors for Reform Judaism. Our organization is dedicated to supporting Jewish professionals who work in URJ synagogues in the areas of programming, membership, communications and outreach. We share our creative ideas, best practices and good advice with each other to help build strong Jewish communities within our synagogues. We have an annual conference each year and offer professional development conference calls throughout the year to support you.
Many times we hear that building community in synagogues is not about the programs but about the people. PDRJ understands this completely which is why we serve as the community organizers or connectors in our synagogues. While the rabbi is concerned with life cycle events, worship, ritual and other spiritual matters and the executive director is keeping the roof over our heads (physically and financially), a program director is there to keep our members connected and engaged in our communities. We get to know them and their families and find out what is happening in their day to day lives. We learn about their interests and match them up with other people with similar interests or within the same demographic. Our personal touch and outreach efforts bring a sense of connection to individual members and their families and synagogues as a whole become a more hamish community.
Programs are a large part of what connects people to a synagogue. The more creative and interesting the programs are – the more people will want to come and be a part of synagogue life. A program director will oversee (and sometimes work hands-on with) committees to make sure that the vision of the program comes to fruition, information is sent out in a timely and effective manner and the event is successful. As members of PDRJ, these Jewish professionals share their successes and challenges with colleagues and help each other create strong programs which lead to a stronger community.
If you are (or have) a staff member who is directly involved in programming, membership and/or outreach, PDRJ is an ideal organization to join. If you are part of a synagogue that is interested in hiring someone for this type of position, our members are available to you for advice and guidance. We are currently in the process of updating our website now to include more resources and program ideas to help you. Please visit us again soon or contact one of us for more information.
B’Shalom,
Elisa Heisman
PDRJ President/Program Director
Congregation Beth Or, Maple Glen, PA
eheisman@bethor.org
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