Who said a convention has to be conventional? The 2009 Biennial Convention will feature a diverse range of speakers and presenters on the topics and issues that matter most to Reform Jews.

The Union is honored to welcome Tony Blair, former Prime Minister of the Great Britain and Northern Ireland as one of our keynote speakers addressing Biennial attendees. Other speakers slated to present during Biennial include:

• His Majesty King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein, King of Jordan
• Michael Oren, Israel’s Ambassador to the United States
• Miriam Ziv, Israel’s Ambassador to Canada
• Avishay Braverman, Israeli Minister of Minorities
• Anita Diamant, author of best-selling novel The Red Tent
• Dr. Eboo Patel, founder of the Interfaith Youth Core
• Dr. Ruth Westheimer, noted psychosexual therapist
• Jerry Silverman, President of United Jewish Communities and former head of the Foundation for Jewish Camp

Learn more about the Biennial speakers

During Biennial, we’ll be awarding some of the best and brightest Jewish leaders on the continent with the highest honors the Reform Judaism has to offer. Each of these award winners will address Biennial delegates, imparting their wisdom.

• Alexander M. Schindler Award for Service to World Jewry: Mr. Harold Grinspoon, for his dedication to Jewish camping
• Maurice N. Eisendrath Bearer of Light Award: Dr. Avivah Zornberg, Torah scholar and author
• Maurice N. Eisendrath Bearer of Light Award: The Hon. Irwin Cotler, Canadian Member of Parliament, for international human rights activism

Learn more about the awards presented at Biennial

Plan time into your schedule to learn from the four remarkable Hebrew Union College- Jewish Institute of Religion faculty members who will serve as our HUC Scholars in Residence.

Each scholar will teach a series of three learning sessions in the same theme and will be the featured speaker at a Shabbat study luncheon.

Learn more about our featured HUC Scholars

The Biennial is your chance to experience the finest that Jewish entertainment has to offer. Sing along with some of the most popular Jewish musicians in the world, singing tunes you know by heart – and enjoy moving performances from up-and-coming performers who are on the brink of becoming household Jewish names. At the 2009 Biennial, you’ll hear the best and latest in Jewish music, from rock to folk and everything in between.

Beth Schafer Julie Silver Peri Smilow Craig Taubman Josh Nelson Doug Cotler Dan Nichols

SoulAviv Larry Milder Jeff Klepper Kyle Cotler Steve Dropkin Mark Bloom Joe Black

Casey Prusher ACC Cantors Noam Katz Mike Mason Michelle Citrin Chana Rothman Alan Goodis

Jeremy Gimbel Mark Weinstock Jaffa Road Yom Hadash Peter and Ellen Allard Judy and David Sue Horowitz