URJ 2025 Annual Report

Congregations are the center of the Reform Movement: the strong trunk from which our communities thrive. In 2025, the URJ deepened our commitment to supporting congregational leaders as they shaped spaces where people could show up authentically, be held in community, and find meaning in Jewish life. Congregations met a sustained surge of individuals seeking connection and belonging, with newcomers filling sanctuaries and classrooms with renewed energy. Our initiatives, seminars, and congregational toolkits helped leaders respond with care, compassion, and creativity.

Scheidt Seminar

In 2025, the Scheidt Seminar marked 25 years of convening congregational presidents for development, reflection, and growth. This in-person gathering strengthens our leaders, the foundation of congregational life. Rooted in connection and lived experience, the Seminar equips presidents to meet complexity with wisdom, steadiness, and care as they lead flourishing communities.

“Bringing together a broad spectrum of people, all entering a similar moment as leaders, and providing them with a structured framework to learn and interact, is an incomparable experience.”

– BENJAMIN MEISNER (he/him), CONGREGATION ALBERT, ALBUQUERQUE, NM

25 years of continuous leadership development impact

89 congregational presidents attended the 2025 Scheidt Seminar

231 people attended the virtual 25^th anniversary celebration

$1M gift to sustain the Scheidt Seminar’s future

“[This $1M] is the most important gift my family could give, making stronger presidents, stronger congregations, and a stronger Movement.”

– HELEN SCHEIDT GRONAUER (she/her), TEMPLE ISRAEL, MEMPHIS, TN

LEADERSHIP

BOOT CAMP

Leadership Boot Camp provides congregational leaders with skills, language, and tools to strengthen them and their communities. In 2025, the program expanded into two sessions to respond to increased demand, broadening the Movement’s investment in congregational life by supporting leaders who help communities grow, adapt, and thrive.

2025:

654

Total Participants

2024:

291

Total Participants

“October 2025 was my third boot camp, and I'll likely participate again. Each time, I get new ideas and insights. Clearly, I think it is worth my time.”

– CHARLES HOCHSTEDLER (he/him), CONGREGATION KENESETH ISRAEL, ALLENTOWN, PA

redi training and

workshops

In 2025, the URJ expanded REDI (Racial Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) trainings and workshops to help congregational leaders strengthen equity, accessibility, and belonging. Offerings included greeter workshops, board trainings, educator workshops, and a new Equity Indicator designed to support continued learning and accountability.

Nearly 200 members of clergy placement committees also participated in REDI-informed training to strengthen fairness, transparency, and inclusion in the recruitment process for Reform clergy, ensuring that candidates encounter equitable experiences throughout placement.

PULSE+ BENCHMARKING

SURVEY

In direct response to congregational leaders seeking clearer benchmarks and shared insight, the URJ’s Pulse+ benchmarking survey provides financial and operational data to inform planning and strengthen sustainability, growing systems that support thriving communities.

73 total congregations took the survey, each receiving personalized dashboards and reporting tools

“The URJ Pulse+ survey has been an important tool for us to learn about evolving trends in Reform synagogues. Our leadership sees this new survey as an opportunity to thoughtfully approach changing needs within our community and bring a data-driven mindset to our work.”

– JESSICA INGRAM (she/her), EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF TEMPLE RODEF SHALOM IN FALLS CHURCH, VA

Congregations

AND Leaders