Highlights
At the Biennial mainstage, we all come together to experience sacred community, learn and collaborate, and ignite a shared vision for what’s ahead.
THURSDAY DEC 10 / GATHERING TOGETHER
For the first time in seven years, we come together as one community.
- Opening ritual with Rabbi Angela Buchdahl, Elana Arian, and local clergy
- Bret Stephens and Jeremy Ben-Ami, in conversation with Abigail Pogrebin, showing what it can look like to stay curious and connected even when we disagree
- Rabbi Rick Jacobs speaking to the power and promise of the Reform Movement
- Musical, joyful Hanukkah celebration
- Workshops, exhibits, and meaningful connection
- Late-night concert with New Moon Rising
- Camp Meetups
FRIDAY DEC 11 / EXPANDING THE CONVERSATION
A day of courageous dialogue, learning, and spirited Shabbat celebration.
- Provocative conversations with inspiring speakers, including historian James Loeffler, Harvard Law professor Martha Minow, author Sarah Hurwitz, and Jews of Color Initiative CEO Ilana Kaufman
- Interactive workshops: engaging in constructive dialogue across ideological differences
- Live music at the Hootenanny Music Stage, featuring established and emerging Jewish artists.
- Soulful Shabbat worship led by Rabbi Benjamin Spratt and Cantor Alicia Stillman
- Song session featuring leading Jewish musicians
- Late-night concert with Kedmah
SATURDAY DEC 12 / DREAMING FORWARD
Together, we imagine the Jewish future we want to build.
- Shabbat morning worship led by Cantor Vladimir Lapin and Rabbi Lisa Grushcow, including a sneak peek of the new Reform Torah Commentary
- A visionary introduction to futurism featuring Rabbi Stephanie Kolin, author & futures educator Lisa Kay Solomon, and filmmaker Tiffany Schlain
- Interactive experiences and immersive text study
- Camp-style havdallah with song leaders, teens, and former hostages Keith and Aviva Siegal
- A community singing experience with Koolulam
- Late-night concert with Nefesh Mountain
SUNDAY DEC 13 / TURNING VISION INTO ACTION
Inspired by shared values, we commit to the work ahead.
- A powerful closing call-to-action for using our faith and values to contribute to public life
- Music from Noah Aronson and Elana Arian
- Practical workshops and take-home resources
- Opportunities for deeper engagement and action
- Open exhibit hall welcoming the broader Philadelphia community
THROUGHOUT BIENNIAL
URJ Central
Think of URJ Central as your Biennial home base—a welcoming hub where you can connect with URJ professionals and fellow congregational leaders, discover resources and ideas for your community, and get practical support for the opportunities and challenges you’re facing. Drop in for a conversation, join a peer meetup, explore what’s available across the URJ network, or simply recharge and connect. Come with a question, an idea, or a challenge—and leave with new connections, resources, and next steps to bring home.
Camp Experience
In addition to a memorable space built around connection, community, and a shared love of camp (and yes, Adirondack chairs), you’ll find special opportunities to celebrate camp throughout the event. A dedicated evening reception, camp-style song sessions, workshops relevant to camp communities, and spirited meetups and late-night gatherings bring the magic of camp to Biennial.
Exhibit Hall
Make the Exhibit Hall a must-visit part of your Biennial experience! It’s a lively marketplace bringing together more than 150 artisans and industry leaders ready to share with you. Browse unique products, discover organizations and services, meet the people behind the work, and find fresh ideas to bring home to your community. Explore, connect, shop, and be surprised by what you discover.
Our Jewish Story
Our Jewish Story aims to strengthen the Jewish community and carry authentic voices forward by capturing, preserving, and sharing individuals’ own Jewish stories. As a Biennial attendee, you’ll have the opportunity to be a part of their living archive by stopping into a recording booth to answer questions about your Jewish experience. Then, at the storytelling studio, you can watch as Biennial speakers and Reform Jewish leaders share their own personal Jewish journeys. The library of footage will be updated throughout the event and available on an exclusive channel in the Our Jewish Story app.
The Hootenanny Music Stage
Come to the Hootenanny Stage to hear live performances from your favorite Jewish musicians all conference long! Catch a set between workshops or bring your to-go lunch and stay for hours. The Hootenanny Stage will feature unique, one time only collaborations between artists like Julie Silver and Joanie Leeds, Noam Katz and Becky Mann, and many, many more. From folk to klezmer, a cappella to rock - you’re sure to add a few new favorite artists to your playlist. Thank you to Congregation Rodeph Sholom, New York City, for sponsoring the Hootenanny Stage.
