Fundraising Without Fear: Building Generosity, Community and Spirit

Session Times: Mondays, 8:00 - 9:30 pm ET

December Sessions: 12/1, 12/8 and 12/15

January Sessions: 1/5, 1/12 and 1/26

Fundraising can feel daunting—but it doesn’t have to.

In this six-session course, based on Rabbi Maurice Harris’s forthcoming Guide to Fundraising for Reconstructionist Congregations, we’ll explore how raising money can also build relationships, enrich spiritual life, and give your community a stronger voice.

Together we’ll:

• Get early access to the 20-chapter Guide, developed from 300+ hours of research and 90+ Jewish, Christian, and nonprofit sources

• Practice with practical tools for:

  • Storytelling in campaigns

  • Legacy giving

  • Multi-purpose fundraising

  • Events big and small—from bake sales and building rentals to auctions and capital campaigns

• Try out worksheets, templates, and sample documents while workshopping real-life questions with peers

• Learn steps that boost revenue now while setting the stage for lasting improvements

Rabbi Harris draws on over two decades of teaching experience. Known for clarity, warmth, and a lively style, he creates a supportive space for learning and conversation across Reconstructionist communities.

Registration Information:

Registration is open exclusively to Reconstructionist-affiliated congregations at a discounted rate. For $360, each congregation receives five seats, plus early access to the Guide and accompanying materials. Congregations may also sign up for one-on-one consultation time with Rabbi Harris before the Guide is published. We encourage you to register and use all five seats, inviting a mix of staff and lay leaders to maximize collaboration.

About  Rabbi Maurice Harris

Rabbi Maurice Harris (RRC '03) has served as Associate Director for Thriving Communities since 2016. Previously, he worked as a rabbi/educator at Temple Beth Israel in Eugene, OR, and as adjunct faculty in the Jewish Studies Department at the University of Oregon. He is the author of three Jewish studies books, most recently The Forgotten Sage: Rabbi Joshua ben Hananiah and the Birth of Judaism as We Know It (Cascade 2019).