The day began with our annual HUC breakfast. The big difference this year was that the HUC breakfast has become the Reform Movement Breakfast and thus URJ, CCAR and HUC-JIR have joined forces. There is no doubt that this is part of the exciting future which my colleagues Rabbi Ellen Dreyfus, President of the CCAR, Rabbi Eric Yoffie, President of the URJ,  David Ellenson, President of HUC-JIR and Steven Fox, Executive Vice-President of the CCAR all discussed during the breakfast. There is no doubt that the economics of our time have given us a wonderful opportunity. Everyone spoke from the heart and they were concise in their comments making this a very enjoyable session. Of course the highlight each year for me is Roll Call! This is when each year is called out and members of that class stand and cheer. There is something about my class sitting together and jumping up yelping our “YEAH”. The feeling that each year we wait longer to hear our class year being called out is balanced with the sense of awe that I feel toward my colleagues who have been rabbis for so long. The annual standing ovation for those who were ordained 50 years ago is heartwarming.  There is a sense of Kesher, nof connection that we share with each other that seems to be so present at this session each year. Then we had the first part of our Professional Development Day as we attended the first of two sessions dedicated to improving our rabbinate. I took the session titled, “The Well Connected Rabbi – Having an Online Rabbinic Presence,” I thought it was a great session with lots of wonderful and practical ideas for getting our vision, our teaching to our congregants. I have a lot to learn about blogging!!!  Then I had lunch with some of my friends at House of Nan King, thanks Jonathan Hirshon for the suggestion! It was some of the best Chinese food I have had. And so with a happy belly, I attended the afternoon session. I attended the session titled “visual T’filah – using digital media in the Sanctuary.” This is the idea of projecting images and videos on the screen instead of holding a prayerbook in one’s hand. It is a whole new world and no doubt change can be intimidating but I think when used in the right situation and setting it can be an incredibly wonderful way to make worship assessable. I was impressed with the level of creativity and I look forward to seeing how our congregation can integrate this technology. Well after a fast shower I had dinner at another lovely restaurant. Then our evening program concluding with none other than eating Ice Cream while overlooking  the beautiful city of San Francisco. What a great last snap shot of this terrific convention. Now off to the room to pack and get some sleep.