Partnering with Each Other, God, and the Reform Movement
In Des Moines, Washington, Congregation Bet Chaverim is using URJ resources and implementing principles of sacred partnership to connect with each other and URJ congregations across the country. Rabbi James Mirel and congregational president Geoff Groshong both spoke on a panel at the URJ’s January 2025 Leadership Bootcamp and shared their thoughts about cultivating sacred partnerships. Rabbi Mirel shared that being part of the URJ has allowed the congregation to build relationships, maintain connections across the country, and be part of something big.
Rabbi Mirel believes that the real sacred partnership is between the congregation and God, leaders are just there to facilitate it. Thus, the leadership structure at Congregation Bet Chaverim values the voices of all members. He explained, “I personally respect everyone’s point of view and feel they should be heard. We all share equal responsibility [in our mission] to be a kehillah kedosha, a holy congregation.”