What is the Biennial?
The Union for Reform Judaism Biennial is a gathering of Reform Jews from all over North America that includes learning, prayer, the sharing of ideas and making decisions about the policies of the Reform Movement. Held in a different city every other year, the Biennial is the place for Reform Jews to be inspired by prayer, entertainment and guest speakers; talk about issues; learn about curriculum, tikkun olam programming and Israel; vote on resolutions; meet up with old friends; and make new connections.

Who attends the Biennial?
The Biennial is for everyone -- lay leaders and professionals from Reform congregations all over North America, youth, college students, congregants, future and new leaders, clergy, scholars, affiliates, vendors, entertainers, musicians -- everything and everyone Jewish you can imagine comes to the Biennial. It's the largest Jewish gathering in North America, and brings together nearly 5000 people from more than 500 congregations and 14 countries. The Biennial is open to every member of a Union congregation in good standing, but we urge you particularly to encourage the officers and members of your Board, your professional staff, and your committee chairs to attend.

Who can register?
In order for its members to attend the Biennial, a congregation must have paid all dues through its fiscal year preceding that in which the General Assembly plenary at the Biennial is held; must have submitted a current membership list; and must have provided all financial information required in the Union’s Bylaws. If you have questions about your congregation's eligibility status, please call Carole Goldberg in the New York office at 212.650.4170.

How do I register?
We will be accepting registrations both on-line (the preferred method) and on paper, either by mail or fax. When we receive information about registrants, we will first make sure they are indeed members of a Union congregation (we do this by checking each name against the membership list that your congregation has provided), and we will then ascertain that the congregation is in good standing with regard to its dues and reporting requirements. If the answer is yes to both of these criteria, the registrants will be entered into the database as attendees. Once you’ve paid the registration fee in full, we will send you information about housing.

How do I make hotel reservations?
All Biennial housing is arranged through our official housing agent, CMR. You will receive a link to CMR and a booking code to use to secure your accommodations once you submit your registration form. One benefit to registering online is that you will receive your booking code at the end of your transaction rather than having to wait to receive a code by mail as with a paper registration submission.

Is financial assistance available?
The Small Congregations Resource Fund (SCRF) has a limited number of grant subsidies available for small congregations (those with 250 households or fewer) who would like to send delegates to the URJ North American Biennial in Toronto, Ontario, November 4-8, 2009. A maximum of two grants, up to $250 each, will be awarded to a congregation. The application and FAQ sheet can be downloaded at http://urj.org/cong/small/. Grants will be awarded on a first come-first served basis. For additional information on Biennial grants, please contact Merry Lugasy (mlugasy@urj.org) or call: 212.452.6742.

What should I expect to learn?
The Biennial offers many learning opportunities for everyone. This is the time to learn about what the Reform Jewish community is doing around the world. In addition to attending learning sessions that interest you, you can also visit the Reform Resource Mall, a great place to pick up Union literature and to talk to specialists and other Union personnel. We hope that not only will you, yourself, learn, but that you will share your knowledge with others and make learning an interactive experience. In fact, many attendees coordinate with fellow attendees from their congregation to ensure that the congregation has participants in as many different sessions as possible, enabling the participants to bring back a broad array of resources.

What is there to do?
There are activities and events planned for every day of the Biennial, and even the days before it. Learning sessions, Shabbat services, entertainment, shopping, resource development, meetings, networking luncheons, tours of the area and tikkun olam projects are some of the available opportunities and events.

What should I bring?
Feel free to bring resources and materials from your congregation to share with others. Your newsletter, projects, etc. Also bring lots of questions and an appetite for learning.

What should I wear?
Any Biennial veteran will recommend a nice comfortable pair of shoes. There’s a lot to do, and you will probably do a lot of walking. It is also a good idea to have a sweater or light jacket in case you get cold while in your hotel or around the convention centre. For Shabbat most people dress up, with jacket and tie the norm for men.

Is the Biennial handicapped accessible?
YES! The convention centre is handicap accessible. Learn more about mobility options.

What if I want to stay in Toronto past the Biennial?
You are welcome to stay in Toronto beyond the Biennial and explore all the sights and sounds of Canada’s “International city.” Please visit local Toronto websites for great ideas or speak with your hotel's concierge. Discounted convention hotel rates are available for three days before and three days after the convention based on availability at the official Biennial hotels, which include the Fairmont Royal York Hotel, the Intercontinental Toronto Centre, and the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel.

How can I have a guest?
Immediate family members are welcome for Shabbat programs and must be registered as a guest. Register your guests when you register yourself. For security reasons, only registered attendees or registered guests will be allowed into convention events.

What if I discover that I can't attend after I register?
A refund, minus a $75 administrative charge, will be sent by check to those from whom a written cancellation is received prior to October 16th, 2009. After October 16th, 2009 there will be a 50 percent refund sent by check. Please note: All cancellation requests must be received in writing.

Can I get a virtual idea of what the Biennial experience is about?
Yes! On the Biennial site’s home page, there is online preview footage. Also at www.urj.org/biennial/sandiego there is 2007 footage. We encourage you to check these out, and we ask that you encourage your friends and co-congregants as well. For 2009, excerpts of major presentations will be posted after their occurrence, as soon as possible on the day that they take place. Spread the word, please.

How can further questions be addressed?
Please email biennial@urj.org or telephone the Biennial Hotline at 212.650.4271. Registration matters can be addressed directly to the registrar via registrar@urj.org or 212.650.4180.