Welcome to Congregation of Reform Judaism

	ALA CARTE (A-Adult, L-Learning, A-Activities) An extensive menu of appetizers, entrees, side dishes and dessert classes and workshops are offered. Our multi-faceted programming reaches across many areas, offering a full array of social, cultural, educational programs and events. Classes may include study of The Holocaust, Reform Response discussion, a beginning Hebrew class, lunch and learn programs, special classes for parents on Sunday mornings during School of Chai, The Great Midrashrim with Rabbi Steven Engel, knitting, exercise classes and other topics such as: an evening program exploring "Why and How I Choice Judaism."
	BOOK CLUB - Do you love to read? The CRJ Book Club usually meets on third Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. with facilitator Dr. Zena Sulkes. The book selections are chosen by the group. They are always interesting and the discussions are always lively!
	BROTHERHOOD - offering the men of our congregation, 18 and older, the opportunity for fellowship through varied intergenerational activities. The Brotherhood provides both fun and camaraderie and also generates funds which offer support to CRJ and the community. Well known for their famous BBQ’s!
	CARE TEAM - CRJ congregants help fellow congregants who are homebound because of an illness or an inability to drive. Such help might include: Driving a fellow congregant to the doctor or the grocery store. Driving a fellow congregant to CRJ services or another synagogue event. Preparing and/or delivering meals to a congregant’s home.
	CEMETERY - The CRJ Cemetery is located at Woodlawn Memorial Park, 400 Woodlawn Cemetery Road in Gotha, FL. This committee provides support and information necessary to bury loved ones. In conjunction with our agreement with Woodlawn Memorial Park, it will ensure that our area of burial is maintained in accordance with the laws of Reform Judaism. Information will be given to congregants concerning burial plots and assistance with funeral arrangements and will be provided.
	CHAI (NEWSLETTER) AND CHAI LITES (EMAILS) - Our newsletter is published monthly (except July) and is mailed to all members of the congregation. We encourage all members to submit simchas and articles by the 5th of the month - for the following month's publication to Debbie Gold, dgold@crjorlando.org. Emails are sent out to the congregation with pertinent information regarding a service, program or lifecycle event.
	CONGREGATIONAL YOUTH COMMITTEE - sharing ways in which we can increase the participation amongst our teens and pre-teens to stay involved with activities at our synagogue, the CYC desires to foster increased connections to Judaism, support educational experiences, and help to instill meaningful relationships among teens. As advocates of our youth, they create youth group policies, hire/supervise the advisors and serve as sponsors who strive to continue a strong youth group presence - that fosters long-term commitment to the ideals and values of Reform Judaism.
	COOKING FOR THE HOMELESS - What are you doing on Monday morning? Specifically, the 3rd Monday of every month! On that day a group of dedicated CRJ volunteers prepare a meal for the families at the Orlando Coalition for the Homeless. The meal is then delivered to the Coalition and served by the CRJ volunteers that evening.
	FINANCE & BUDGET - meets the financial needs of the congregation through sound fiscal policy and procedures, solid planning, and pro active funding. This is done to generate revenue and control expenses to support the short term and long term needs of CRJ. This committee is charged with: developing annual budget for Board approval, monitoring the budget versus actual figures monthly, and maintaining the records of the Temple with regard to Board policy and procedures. It also assists the Executive Committee and the Board in protecting the assets of the Temple with regard to: contracts, insurance, legal, accounting procedures and whatever contracts or activities in which the Temple may engage
	HOSPITAL COMMITTEE - Hospitals are so lonely.... for most people it is a fearful time ... a place where strangers invade your privacy...a place that seems so far from home ...volunteers provide a friendly face that brightens the day of our hospitalized congregants. The purpose of this committee is to visit sick congregants in local area hospitals and nursing homes or assisted living facilities, providing a connection to CRJ and a compassionate heart. They also inform clergy of names of those congregants hospitalized.
	HOUSE & GROUNDS - CRJ must have sufficient, quality physical resources and facilities to meet the needs of a changing and growing congregation. The physical facility provides a warm, comfortable environment that can support all activities and programs. This committee engages in short and long term pro-active planning and maintaining our resources with an annual budget where repairs and purchases are planned.
	LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT - In order to maintain synagogue continuity and develop future leaders of the congregation, this committee works to instill knowledge in our current leaders through educational programming and invites congregants who are interested in working with CRJ to help ensure its vibrant future, and suggests placement for future leadership positions. It works to establish “pipelines” of qualified, talented and well-informed volunteers who are ready and able to commit their time and energy to the congregation and to accelerate their progress toward synagogue leadership.
	LEGAL AND BY-LAWS - This Committee reviews and makes recommendations to the Executive Committee and the Board of Trustees (BOT) for changes to the constitution and by-laws, and advises the Executive Committee and/or the BOT on legal matters as appropriate.
	MEMBERSHIP - This committee is tasked with seeking out the unaffiliated in Orlando and encouraging them to join our welcoming CRJ family. Its goal is also to assure that all members of CRJ attain fulfillment from their membership in order to become and remain active in our synagogue community. By integrating members into our diverse community through a full range of activities, services and programs, we strive for complete fulfillment for everyone.
	MINHAG HAMAKOM - (Ritual) The vision of this committee is to create a model for religious worship and practice which affords CRJ members the opportunity to express their spirituality and individuality within a reform Jewish context. It recommends guidelines to help the synagogue meet this mission. It also facilitates ushering during the High Holy Day services in collaboration with the Executive Administrator.
	NOMINATING - Accepts applications for temple members who would like to serve on the Board of Trustees.
	SENIORS - A vibrant, young-minded and spirited group of seniors who enjoy monthly meetings. On the 3rd Thursday of every month, you see the CRJ parking lot start to fill up around 11:30 am for the monthly meetings. Some may be ‘slow walkers’ meandering down the walkway, others may have a pep to their step! But don’t jump to conclusions about these special folks...they are a vital organization at CRJ coming for more than just a schmear and a schmooze. While they look forward to spending a moment to catch up with each other, they also look forward to the quality entertainment, education and community awareness programming, not to mention the exciting and popular monthly raffle. Moderately priced lunches are available at each meeting. The annual dues are minimal! We welcome those who are young at heart, but ages 60 and up for our active and vibrant group!
	SOCIAL ACTION COMMITTEE - This committee puts into deed what Reform Judaism teaches us. The mission is Tikkun Olam, helping repair the world. We have a variety of projects throughout the year for CRJ congregants to participate in. The vision of the Social Action is to further translate the principles of Judaism by expanding its programming to meet the needs of its members and the community. It maintains an active committee dedicated to social programs both within and outside the Temple Community. It is well known for coordinating the annual CRJ Mitzvah Day, High Holy Day Food Drive, Sneakers that Fit, Christmas Day Meals on Wheels, and many others.
	TECHNOLOGY TEAM - this is a new committee at CRJ and is charged with the goal of making the best use of our current resources and creating a long range plan for our future technology needs, including, but not limited to: video and audio, lighting and computer needs. It will also serve as the committee to respond to tech requests, donations and quality assurance.
	WOMEN OF REFORM JUDAISM (Sisterhood) - WRJ was founded in 1913 during a historic period where women struggled for recognition and equality. Today it is active in areas at the forefront of social action and change in both Jewish and secular venues. Membership gives you the communal voice to be linked with more than 500 sisterhoods who are like-minded. WRJ-CRJ hosts many events during the year such as the Channukah Dinner, the Women’s Seder, and the Circle of Service Luncheon to name a few. It certainly puts its membership money to good use and donates most of the budget directly back to the temple or the community in the form of scholarships, underwriting youth events, contributions to planned activities, or providing emergency funds for unplanned expenses. Looking for a special gift for an upcoming Simcha? Planning a Bar/Bat Mitzvah? Ready to begin lighting Shabbat candles or making Havdalah as a family? Whatever your need, the Women of CRJ’s Judaica Shop is the first place you need to look!
	YOUTH GROUPS - CRJ believes in supporting the youth of our synagogue. If you are in grades 7-12, you are eligible to become a member of one of our fun and exciting youth groups! OAFTY (grades 7-8) and GORFTY (grades 9-12) are our junior and senior youth groups.
	GORFTY - (Greater Orlando Federation of Temple Youth) is CRJ’s senior youth group for those teens in 9th - 12th grades. A youth-board is elected for the school year, which organizes and implements activities based on Jewish values, education and fun. GORFTY is stresses social action and connects Jewish teens together in the community.
	OAFTY - (Orlando Area Federation of Temple Youth) is CRJ’s youth group for 6th - 8th graders. It is an opportunity for middle school-aged teens to mingle with other kids their own age through various events and programming. OAFTY is a great way for kids to be able to reunite with their religious school classmates in a fun, social and educational setting.