Rabbi Steven Wernick

Last night, Rabbi Steven Wernick was installed as our new executive vice president and CEO. This was the first such installation in 23 years; there were a few people in the room who had been there for the last one but their memories of the event were hazy, so basically it was a new ritual for a new time.

Steve was introduced by Dr. Raymond Goldstein, our outgoing (in both senses of the word) international president, who also chaired the search committee that selected him. His mentor, Rabbi Steven Lindemann of Temple Beth Sholom in Cherry Hill -- basically his professional father -- and Rabbi Eugene Wernick, another mentor and role model and also his actual father -- introduced him, both with emotion and pride, and Rabbi Lindemann draped him with a new United Synagogue tallit and blessed him as parents bless their children with the priestly blessing.

Then Rabbi Wernick, still in the finely woven tallit with the burgandy stripes and his name in silver on the atara, gave his talk (which will be up on our website in an hour or two). Weaving the theme of Chanukah, when the Maccabbees faced despair, saw an opportunity, took risks, and won, saving Judaism for all of us, their descendants, throughout, he talked about the risks we must take to remain relevant. As a firm believer in Conservative Judaism, with its unique ability to fuse tradition, ancient wisdom, and modern understandings of the world and we who live in it, he is working hard to devise new ways to convey that understanding to people less committed to it than he. He has been touring the United States and Canada, listening to synagogue professional and lay leaders, listening to their desires and their discontents, and he is using this information to plan for our future.

His talk earned him an ovation; the energy in the room -- which was packed, with overflow into the hall and people peering in from odd angles, all that were left -- pulsing. Afterward people went on for dessert and dancing, and talking talking talking. All that talking made people thirsty but the bar closed at 11, minutes after the program ended. What's the deal with that, Crowne Plaza Hotel?

Joanne Palmer

Welcome to Cherry Hill

So here we are in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, getting ready for the convention. Yesterday it snowed here on the east coast, huge fat white snowflakes that fluttered down from a silver sky. But today it's dry and warm. It's a good day to travel.

Lots of people, it seems, have taken the opportunity to get here. I don't know how many people are here, but the lines snaking from the reception counter seem to go on for miles. No one seems to mind, though; people are standing there talking to each other. There's none of the fumes that generally steam off lines are there. Just lots and lots of talking.

The convention starts at four o'clock, and you will be able to read about it here, on this blog. We will be looking seriously at the issues that affect the Conservative movement in general and United Synagogue in particular. The convention will open with performances, many of them by children and teenagers; the first formal talk with by from Rabbi Steven Wernick as he is formally installed (and no, installation does not entail standing with your hands above your head as you are twisted into the socket in the ceiling). Instead, Steve, who is our new executive vice president and CEO, will talk about his dreams for the movement. He will not short-shrift the problems we face, either. That is not his style.

The hotel lobby is pulsing with kids now. They're ready to go.

Joanne Palmer