UPJ Biennial 2022: Progressing Judaism 8 Days a Week

Join attendees from around the Union for Progressive Judaism region - and worldwide - as the UPJ welcomes back our community and friends to join IN PERSON for an enriching and exciting conference. 

The Beatles sang “8 Days a Week”, Shakespeare wrote “forever and a day” and today we say “24/7” – the UPJ Biennial titled “Progressing Judaism: 8 Days a Week” will explore how we can expand our Jewish values to incorporate our Jewish identity into a myriad of interactions with the world around us. The Biennial Conference will focus on being Jewish in today's complex, modern, fast-paced society, and will feature dynamic and engaging speakers from our region and beyond.

OUR FEATURED GUEST SPEAKER
The enthusiastic response to Rabbi Sergio Bergman's to Australia in March when he spoke on behalf of the UIA Progressive Appeal prompted the UPJ to ask him to return for the Biennial, providing an even wider reach for his inspiring messages.

As WUPJ President, Rabbi Bergman leads the international network of the Reform, Liberal, Progressive, and Reconstructionist Jewish movements, serving 1.2 million members worldwide in more than 1,250 congregations in over 50 countries.

Rabbi Bergman served as Argentina’s Minister for the Environment and Sustainability from 2015-19, and in 2017 headed the Argentine delegation to the United Nations Climate Change Summit, overseeing the G20 Sustainability Working Group tasked with building climate change for developing nations. In March 2019, he was named one of the 100 most influential public figures on global climate policy.

When asked to describe the essence of Progressive Judaism, Rabbi Bergman said: “We are Jewish in what we do. We don’t just read Torah, we are Torah. We write on the scroll of our days as practitioners of vibrant, diverse, and meaningful Progressive lives. We lead Jewish lives rooted in our millennia-old tradition, while cherishing our contemporary, egalitarian, and inclusive approach.” 

REGISTRATION FEE INCLUDES:

• Attendance at all sessions, including morning/afternoon teas on Friday, Saturday and Sunday);
• Cocktail party on Thursday night;
• Three lunches (Friday, Shabbat and Sunday);
• Two dinners (Friday and Saturday);
• Coach transportation to/from Novotel for Friday night service at Emanuel Synagogue;
• Coach transportation to/from Novotel for Saturday night Havdalah, dinner and entertainment at North Shore Temple Emanuel.

ACCOMMODATION BOOKINGS

The NOVOTEL BRIGHTON BEACH will be hosting our conference sessions, and is holding a limited number of newly renovated hotel rooms at a discounted rate for our delegates (book early to avoid disappointment). Please note that the fees are per room (rather than per person), so there is the option of sharing a room that has two double beds, which reduces the cost per person. Both rooms pictured can be set up with either one King Bed or two Double Beds.

Standard Residential View Room @ $259 per room per night

Superior Botany Bayview Room @ $299 per room per night

To book a room at the Novotel, call (02) 9556 5111 and quote our conference code: UPJ161122. Breakfast is also offered at a discounted rate of $25 per person per day for all UPJ Biennial guests (there are also options nearby the hotel if you'd like to have breakfast outside the hotel).

OTHER ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS
The prices below were found on Booking.com in mid-June (specifying nights of 17, 18 and 19 November 2022)

Citadine Connect Sydney Airport
121 Baxter Road, Mascot (8 km from Novotel, 16-minute drive)
$573 for three nights ($191 per night)

Ibis Budget Sydney Airport
5 Ross Smith Avenue, Mascot ( 7km from Novotel, 11-minute drive)
$344 for three nights ($115 per night)

Meriton Suites Mascot Central
8 Jackson Drive, Mascot (9.6 km from Novotel, 20-minute drive)
$540 for three nights ($180 per night)

There is also the option of staying at an Airbnb, which is often cheaper than hotel rates, and there may be possibilities for home hospitality (please contact the UPJ office at upj@upj.org.au).