This manual is designed to help you create and maintain an active KESHER chavurah (group), a Reform Jewish presence on campus. Use it as a tool to build a community where everyone feels comfortable and enthusiastic about their Jewishness.

This book is based primarily upon the experiences of the KESHER chavurah throughout North America, begun as a project of Lisa Claybon at the University of Michigan. However, these ideas may be modified to fit and benefit your own KESHER group. There are many programs and much useful information that can be successfully implemented, regardless of the size of the school or the Jewish community. Additionally, we have added several programs and strategies for smaller campuses, such as potluck dinners in individual apartments and small-scale social events at local restaurants. All campuses that have Reform students are under the purview of this book and are the North American office’s concern.
Most of the organizational and programmatic principles are the same, regardless of campus. However, just as no two Kesher leaders are identical, no two campuses are exactly the same. Please read these pages with your special chavurah in mind.

The Reform Mission

Reform Judaism holds a unique position within the Jewish world. Ours is a heritage of affirming the inherent worth of all people, Jew and Gentile. In addition to our traditional belief in God, Torah, and Israel (the Jewish people), we also celebrate the beauty of modern science and culture. In particular, two realms set Reform Judaism apart from the other major Jewish movements on today’s college campus: the Reform commitment to social action and Reform Judaism’s unique liturgical style, which emphasizes meaning over mere content. It is hoped that, in your experiences with organizing Reform Jewish life, you will have an opportunity to emphasize Torah (educating Reform Jews), avodah (praying in a wonderfully unique, Reform fashion), and g’milut chasadim (the Reform emphasis on tikkun olam, “repairing the world,” through social action and political involvement). In particular, the challenging task of offering meaningful prayer and compassion toward others often lies upon the shoulders of Reform students like yourself; we ask you to rise to the occasion!

The Reform Movement believes in the fundamental tenet of choice through knowledge: Each of us has chosen to embrace different elements of Judaism in our ritual, ethical, and political lifestyles. The beauty of Reform Judaism is its inclusivity, its pluralistic acceptance of all Jews. We sincerely hope that your KESHER chavurah will flourish as a center for Jewish life on your campus (see Appendix 11 for “A Statement of Principles for Reform Judaism”).

Try to create the following activities in this order:

1. Powerful, warm, weekly Shabbat services

2. Vibrant, inspiring High Holy Day services

3. Fun social programming

4. Social action projects emphasizing tikkun olam (“perfection of the world”)

5. Jewish educational programming
6. A retreat or on-campus weekend-long event (a shabbaton)