Union for Reform Judaism To Induct West Cobb Congregation

A West Cobb congregation is set to join an organization aimed at strengthening Judaism across North America.

During Congregation Ner Tamid’s Shabbat services Friday at 7 p.m., Marcia Grossfield and Jane Aronoff of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) will officially induct the Congregation into the URJ. According to the URJ’s website, the organization includes nearly 900 member congregations along with lay leaders, clergy and professionals, and has the goal of uniting “thousands of years of Jewish tradition and values with modern Jewish experience to strengthen Judaism today and for future generations.”

The induction is the result of a six-month process where URJ officials reviewed the congregation’s practices and policies and visited it to meet with its members.

“With the guidance of the URJ we will be able to effectively develop structure and programming that will allow us to grow as a congregation in many different ways that will directly benefit members of our congregation,” said Congregation President Kristine Goldstein. Some of those benefits include service and counsel from URJ staff, youth programs in North America and Israel, and priority participation at the organization’s network of camps.

Goldstein says the congregation currently has a membership of about 60 families, including many interfaith families.

Friday’s service will be held in borrowed space at Christ Lutheran Church, 176 W. Sandtown Road, Marietta. The evening also will feature a separate Tot Shabbat service for young children.

All are welcome to attend Friday’s service, Goldstein said, as well as the Congregation’s other Friday night services, which are held twice monthly.

For more information about Congregation Ner Tamid, visit www.mynertamid.org or call 678-264-8575.