Next Steps- 3:30 p.m. Facilitated by Rabbi Jerry Weider

NEXT STEPS FOR ACRE

Remarks by Rabbi Jerry Weider, ACRE Co-Chair

Before I say a word of summation, I must say a word of thanks, especially to Steve Kraus, the real glue behind the scenes of today's Conference.  Those of us who have been involved in ANY committee, or discussions about ACRE, can attest to the incredibly strong support that Steve has provided.  I think we need to take a moment to express our appreciation for his work.

And we need to mention the incredibly generous support of our funders, especially the Lasko Family Foundations and the tireless efforts of Dr. Maury Hoberman.  Thank you.

Once again this Conference has been a very interesting gathering because of you, all of you who came today and shared your ideas and thoughts.  We will gather all the notes taken today and post a Conference summary for everyone to read on the ACRE website.

Where will we go from here?

• An Advocacy Committee will follow-up on today's deliberations
• CRE Research will continue
• Our work in the area of CEU's/Certification will continue, strongly informed by the information and ideas put forward today
• Additional working groups will be created.  And if anybody is interested in a particular area, please let Steve know
• Development work will begin
• The website will be continuously updated with new material and CRE information
• And, God willing, we will hold a Conference again next year, on October 13, 2010

Last year I noted at the end of our daylong discussion that there was much work still to be done.  Nothing has changed in that regard.  In fact, now that we have begun to dig below the surface of CRE, the need to continue working is even more urgent.  So, let us resolve to work for the enrichment of the entire Jewish community by creating vehicles for our rabbis to enrich themselves through learning and be better able to motivate others within our communities through love of Torah, through ma-asim tovim, and through Tzedakah.

As I said last year at the very end of the Conference-let us take to heart the words of Pirkei Avot:

Lo Alecha hamlacha ligmor, v'lo ata ben chorin

l'hibatel mimenah.

The work is before us and let's get on with the task!