Belonging Conference
Gather, Grow, Learn and Build
Jewish Buffalo looks vastly different today than it did fifty years ago; different still than it did even ten years ago. Many of these differences can be visibly seen and felt in the size of our population and the shape of our institutions. What’s harder to see clearly is the shifting landscape of the individuals with whom we build and create Jewish life. What does this changing environment mean for our communal institutions – for the Jewish Buffalo we hope to sustain or ultimately create together? How can we ensure that our spaces of gathering and the things we do within them reflect these differences? How do we develop empathy for those we do not know or understand? How do we embrace and celebrate diverse Jewish identities? What does it mean to belong? How does the rallying cry “nothing about us without us” inform how we plan for the future?
Sunday, April 24 | 1:30 pm – 8:45 pm | Northland Workforce Training Center (683 Northland Ave, Buffalo)
Monday, April 25 | 8:00 am – 12:30 pm | Temple Beth Tzedek (1641 North Forest Rd, Williamsville)
Through this two-day experience, both professional and volunteer leaders will have the opportunity to learn from keynote speaker Rabbi Nikki DeBlosi as well as a variety of local experts. Conference attendees are invited to join us on Sunday only, or Sunday & Monday.
The Conference is made possible through the generosity of the Weiss Family Philanthropic Fund and the Estate of Ruth Axelrod.
Pricing
Sunday & Monday
Sunday ONLY
Schedule
Sunday, April 24, 2022 @ Northland Workforce Training Center
1:30PM Check in (Lobby)
2:00PM Welcome: Kirstie Henry, Michelle Lawson, Dr. Mike Steklof (Community Room)
2:30PM From Stranger to Rabbi to Strange Rabbi: Rabbi Nikki DeBlosi, Ph.D. (Community Room)
3:30PM Processing Time (Community Room)
4:00PM Break (Lobby)
4:25PM Workshops Round 1
5:30 PM Dinner & Panel Presentation: Dr. Andrew Marcum, Dr. Jordana Maisel, Karen Jasinski, Dr. Darren Brown Hall, facilitated by Rabbi Nikki DeBlosi, Ph.D. (Community Room)
Panel will begin at 5:45 pm
6:45PM Break (Lobby)
7:00PM Workshops Round 2
8:00PM Break (Lobby)
8:15PM Closing (Community Room)
8:45PM Goodnight!
Sunday’s participants will gain a foundational understanding of Belonging – what it is and why it is important. Participants will learn from keynote speaker Rabbi Nikki DeBlosi, participate in two of five Skill Building Workshops, listen to a panel conversation with Belonging Practitioners from Outside of the Jewish Community, and experience Belonging best practices.
Parve snacks (Kosher) will be provided. Dinner (Kosher-Vad Supervised) will be provided by Sabra Grill.
Monday, April 25, 2022
8:00AM Breakfast (Lobby)
8:30AM Pecking Our Way to Belonging: Rabbi Nikki DeBlosi, Ph.D. (Sanctuary)
9:30AM Break (Lobby)
10:00AM The Power of Hello: Susan DeMari (Sanctuary)
10:45AM Break (Lobby)
11:00AM Top Ten Lessons for Cultivating Belonging: Rabbi Nikki DeBlosi, Ph.D. (Sanctuary)
12:00PM Wrap Up: Dr. Mike Steklof (Sanctuary)
12:30PM Enjoy the rest of your day!
Monday’s participants will focus on reviewing the best practices of Belonging. We will learn about short term next steps each of us can take and how we can put our learnings into practice.
Coffee and Breakfast (Kosher-Vad Supervised) will be provided by Luscious by Lori.
Working to ensure all Jews, their friends and life partners, and people exploring Judaism to feel welcome to participate in Jewish living and learning experiences regardless of race, gender identity, sexual orientation, or ability.
Workshops
Rabbi Nikki DeBlosi, PhD
Guest Speaker
Rabbi Nikki DeBlosi speaks, teaches, writes, and officiates at the intersection of Judaism and Belonging. During her 8 years at NYU’s Bronfman Center for Jewish Student Life, she built a culture of welcoming and celebrating difference. She holds a PhD from NYU, and a Masters and rabbinic ordination from the Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion. Rabbi Nikki conducts trainings on inclusion for Jewish institutions, writes on the cutting-edge issues of belonging in Jewish community today, and meets people “where they’re at”.
Belonging Conference Planning Team
LiNK Jewish Buffalo’s Belonging Conference Planning Team is representative of the many communities which exist in, around, and throughout Jewish Buffalo, and was charged with the planning and execution of the Belonging Conference.
- Kirstie Henry, Belonging Conference Chair
- Belonging Conference Planning Team: Jeff Clark, Michelle Lawson, Lisa Davidson, Sharon Nosenchuck, Corey Auerbach, Marjorie Bryen, and Mark Horowitz
- Mike Steklof, Director of Jewish Experience
FAQs
Who should attend the conference?
- Current professional and volunteer leaders – leaders of Jewish agencies and congregations and those who lead using Jewish values but in non-Jewish settings!
- Individuals interested in leading and creating using Jewish values in Buffalo.
- Teams of professionals who would like to ensure their Jewish organization promotes a sense of belonging.
What will I get out of the conference?
- A working understanding of the theory driving Jewish Belonging.
- A vocabulary of Belonging terminology that is applicable to practice.
- Introduction to innovative ideas and models of Belonging and Welcoming from around the United States.
- Opportunity and encouragement to begin experimenting with Belonging and the opportunity to make short term change right at the Conference
I don't know anything about belonging - can I still attend?
YES! We will do a deep-dive into Belonging together – starting at the very beginning by defining Belonging, down to a deep exploration of how we as individuals, in our roles as professional/volunteer leaders, can use Belonging practices throughout our life and work.
I am/My organization is very welcoming. What will I get out of this conference?
This conference is a great opportunity for you to learn new and innovative ways for you/your organization to truly welcome everyone who you meet/comes through your doors. It will also provide you with additional resources to help you create or reimagine your personal and organizational capacities to do this work.
Do I need to attend both days?
What will we do on Sunday?
Sunday’s participants will gain a foundational understanding of Belonging – what it is and why it is important. Participants will learn from keynote speaker Rabbi Nikki DeBlosi, participate in two of six Skill Building Workshops, listen to a panel conversation with Belonging Practitioners from Outside of the Jewish Community, and experience Belonging best practices.
Parve snacks (Kosher) will be provided. Dinner (Kosher-Vad Supervised) will be provided by Sabra Grill.
What will we do on Monday?
Monday’s participants will focus on reviewing the best practices of Belonging. We will learn about short term next steps each of us can take and how we can put our learnings into practice.
Coffee and Breakfast (Kosher-Vad Supervised) will be provided by Luscious by Lori.
What will I eat at the Conference?
On Sunday-
- Dinner + dessert will be catered by Sabra Grill (Kosher and Va’ad Supervised)
- Snacks, water + coffee (granola bars, fruit, etc.) will be available throughout the day
On Monday-
- Breakfast will be catered by Luscious by Lori (Kosher and Va’ad Supervised)
- Snacks, water + coffee (granola bars, fruit, etc.) will be available throughout the day
*All meals will be vegetarian AND will have gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan options.
Where should I park?
Parking on Sunday:
- Northland Workforce Training Center is located on Buffalo’s East Side at 683 Northland Avenue. There is plentiful FREE parking directly across the street.
Parking on Monday:
- Temple Beth Tzedek is located in Williamsville at 1641 North Forest Road. There is FREE parking in the temple’s parking lot located next to the building.
Do I need to bring anything with me?
- An open mind
- A notebook + writing utensil
What should I wear?
There is no dress code; come as you are! Belonging is all about welcoming people where they are. . . we want to meet you as you — be yourself, dress in your personal style.
What are your Covid policies?
The Belonging Conference is being planned in accordance with the LiNK Gathering Guidelines. On Sunday, masks will not be required to be worn as per the policy of the Northland Workforce Training Center. On Monday, masks will be required to be worn as per the policy of Temple Beth Tzedek.