ConnectıonsLet’s build the next 100 years together2027Connections is the WUPJ’s global conference. Four days full of music, learning, prayer, community and celebration in Jerusalem for Progressive Jews from around the world: lay leaders, rabbis, educators and emerging communities.
For 100 years, the WUPJ has connected Progressive Jews across every continent, from youth movements and emerging communities to rabbis, educators and lay leaders building Jewish life. At Connections 2027, we’ll learn about the WUPJ at work around the globe, meet the people shaping its future and bring our own ideas to the table. Come to Jerusalem as a participant. Leave with a sense of purpose and shlichut for our global movement.
“Connections is a space to connect, exchange, learn and teach. After October 7, we are more united than ever, and global leadership that empowers local action is how we build our future. In Jerusalem, with the renewal of Beit Shmuel, we are building the movement’s Global Hub together.”
Rabbi Sergio Bergman
We offer financial aid to support participants who need assistance. Requests are open until December 1, 2026.
The full program and speakers will be announced soon. The schedule is subject to change.
Come together. Be together. In Jerusalem, surrounded by Progressive Jews from every corner of the world, I remember why this movement matters: we are stronger when we are in the same room, singing the same songs and sharing the same hope.Phyllis Dorey OAM
Join us on stage in Jerusalem
SpeakerJoin us on stage in Jerusalem
SpeakerJoin us on stage in Jerusalem
SpeakerJoin us on stage in Jerusalem
SpeakerI loved how engaging all of these activities were. There was never a point where I was bored or uninterested. We got to hear from some really inspiring and influential leaders. And it was incredible to be at Beit Shmuel, in the heart of Jerusalem, with everything happening right there around us.Alena · Connections attendee, United Kingdom
I came knowing three people. I left with a network across four continents I still write to every month. It felt so good to connect with so many people who carry the same values. I became very close friends with the people who were there.Rafael · Connections attendee, Argentina
From Beit Shmuel to the Old City, shared meals to walking the streets together, prayer to quiet conversation, Jerusalem is not a backdrop for Connections. It is part of the program.
Plan Your Trip ↗How to enter Israel, where to stay, how to get around, and what to expect on Shabbat. Questions we haven’t answered are welcome to Emily at seminars@wupj.org.
Yes, you can stay at Beit Shmuel, and we warmly encourage everyone to. The WUPJ has reserved the entire Beit Shmuel Hotel, and rooms are available at a reduced rate for conference participants. We are planning for all participants to stay there. Book through the special link below, available only for Connections bookings for 3–6 March 2027.
Rooms are generally double occupancy, with some family suites. All doubles have twin beds that can be pushed together or apart, so they work for a couple or for roommates.
After you register for Connections, you will join the Connections 2027 WhatsApp groups, where you can reach out to other participants who are also looking for a roommate.
The conference fee includes all conference activities, six catered meals and refreshments throughout the conference. Accommodation is booked separately.
Standard check-out is 11:00 AM.
Beit Shmuel is the home of Progressive Judaism in Jerusalem. It is where our movement gathers in the heart of the city, and it is where Connections 2027 takes place.
For four days we will all be together under one roof. Sessions, meals, prayer and late-night conversations happen in the same place, just steps from where many of us will sleep.
It is here, between sessions and around shared tables, that you really feel the connection: people from every corner of the world, one community, one home.
Beit Shmuel, Eliyahu Shama 6, Jerusalem — find it on the map here.
We recommend that you book your flight into Israel through an Israeli carrier. There are some airlines that have not cancelled and we have found them reliable. Some people have bought two separate roundtrip tickets — a non-Israeli carrier roundtrip from home to Europe and then an Israeli carrier roundtrip from Europe to Israel.
Note: leave yourself enough time between flights. Since the flights are not part of the same ticket, if you miss your connecting flight, you forfeit that ticket.
Beit Shmuel is located at Eliyahu Shama St. 6 in Jerusalem.
Public transportation: From Ben Gurion airport, take the Israel Railways train to Jerusalem – Yitzhak Navon Station. Trains run approximately every hour (note: no train service on Shabbat). Purchase a ticket at the station — a Rav Kav card is recommended for ease of use across public transport. The train ride takes about 25–30 minutes. Up-to-date rail schedules: rail.co.il.
At Yitzhak Navon Station, follow signs to the Jerusalem Light Rail. Board the Red Line (Line 1) towards Mount Herzl and disembark at City Hall station. Beit Shmuel is a 5–7 minute walk from there — find it on the map here.
Taxi: Fare from Ben Gurion Airport to Beit Shmuel ranges from ₪300–₪400 ($80–$110 USD); higher during night hours and weekends. Use licensed taxis from Terminal 3.
If you’re interested in sharing a taxi with someone arriving at a similar time, we recommend posting on the Connections conference open chat — we’re also happy to help, so feel free to reach out to us.
All visitors to Israel must have a valid visa or ETA-IL to enter, even those from countries that Israel does not require a visa for. First, determine if you are from a country that requires a visa application. If you are from a country exempt from applying for a visa, you must still have an ETA-IL approval before you visit.
Visit israel-entry.piba.gov.il for information.
| Weather | March in Jerusalem is mild by day (around 15–18°C) and cool at night (around 7–10°C), with occasional rain. |
| What to pack | Layers, a warm jacket for the evenings, a light rain jacket and comfortable walking shoes. |
| Money | The currency is the new Israeli shekel (NIS, ₪). Credit cards are accepted almost everywhere. In restaurants, tip 10–15% unless service is already included. |
| Electricity | 230V. Sockets are Type H, and most also take two-pin Type C plugs. |
| Phones | Buy an eSIM before you travel, or a local SIM card at the airport. |
| Time zone | Israel Standard Time (UTC+2). |
Programs and meals. We’ve kept the registration fee the same as last year, despite increased prices.
The fee does not include accommodation or flights.
Yes. The WUPJ has reserved the entire Beit Shmuel Hotel, and rooms are available at a reduced rate for conference participants. We are planning for all conference participants to stay at Beit Shmuel. Please review the Beit Shmuel hotel options and book your room through this special link, available only for Connections bookings for the dates 3–6 March 2027: book your room at Beit Shmuel.
Participants who want to stay extra nights before or after the conference can book those nights on the Beit Shmuel website with the coupon code WUPJ10. It gives 10% off all room types for these dates:
Rooms are generally double occupancy, with some family suites. All doubles have twin beds that can be pushed together or apart, so they are suitable for a couple or for roommates. If you are looking for a roommate, join the Connections 2027 WhatsApp groups after you register and reach out to other participants.
We recommend that you book your flight into Israel through an Israeli carrier. There are some airlines that have not cancelled and we have found them reliable. Some people have bought two separate roundtrip tickets — a non-Israeli carrier roundtrip from home to Europe and then an Israeli carrier roundtrip from Europe to Israel.
Note: leave yourself enough time between flights. Since the flights are not part of the same ticket, if you miss your connecting flight, you forfeit that ticket.
The WUPJ operates in accord with the directions of the Israeli Defense Force Home Front Command, which directs civilians what to do to provide for civil safety. We would consider cancelling the conference in the case of a high escalation in military threat which would threaten to close Ben Gurion airport or restrict civilians’ movement.
The deadline for cancelling the conference will be determined at a later date, but it would not be more than three weeks before the start of the conference.
There will be two WhatsApp groups for the conference. One is “Connections 2027 — Announcements,” a channel through which the conference organizers will send updates to the schedule and other important information. The other is an open chat for participants to connect with one another.
When you register, you’ll receive an invitation to join both groups.
Beit Shmuel is located at Eliyahu Shama St. 6 in Jerusalem.
Public transportation: From Ben Gurion airport, take the Israel Railways train to Jerusalem – Yitzhak Navon Station. Trains run approximately every hour (note: no train service on Shabbat). Purchase a ticket at the station — a Rav Kav card is recommended for ease of use across public transport. The train ride takes about 25–30 minutes. Up-to-date rail schedules: rail.co.il.
At Yitzhak Navon Station, follow signs to the Jerusalem Light Rail. Board the Red Line (Line 1) towards Mount Herzl and disembark at City Hall station. Beit Shmuel is a 5–7 minute walk from there — find it on the map here.
Taxi: Fare from Ben Gurion Airport to Beit Shmuel ranges from ₪300–₪400 ($80–$110 USD); higher during night hours and weekends. Use licensed taxis from Terminal 3.
If you’re interested in sharing a taxi with someone arriving at a similar time, we recommend posting on the Connections conference open chat — we’re also happy to help, so feel free to reach out to us.
All visitors to Israel must have a valid visa or ETA-IL to enter, even those from countries that Israel does not require a visa for. First, determine if you are from a country that requires a visa application. If you are from a country exempt from applying for a visa, you must still have an ETA-IL approval before you visit.
Visit israel-entry.piba.gov.il for information.
The conference will be conducted in English. Much of our programming is interactive, so in order to have the maximal experience, we recommend that attendees feel comfortable conversing in English.
We’re aware of the quickly developing AI technology for voice-to-text and voice-to-voice translation, and we’re open to ideas on how this can enhance the experience for participants. We also hope to provide as many opportunities as possible to improve our Hebrew!
No — we want to maintain the focus on the participants in the room. But we will be providing updates on our social media throughout the conference.
Yes, we would love it! Keep an eye out for our social media and please like, share and interact with us. We want you and all your friends to come to Connections!
Absolutely. After you register, you will join the Connections 2027 WhatsApp groups, where participants looking for a roommate can find each other. You can also contact our Program Associate, Emily Eastmond, at seminars@wupj.org.
Your security and safety are the most important thing to us. We always follow the instructions of the Israeli Home Front Command and are in constant touch with all relevant authorities. Beit Shmuel has a large bomb shelter, and the Hirsch Theater is defined as a protected area (מרחב מוגן).
All hotels have safe rooms. We advise participants, when booking accommodation, to ask if it has a safe room or shelter, or where the closest shelter is. We also advise participants to download the Home Front Command app and/or alternative siren apps such as Red Alert or Tzofar to their phones.
We recommend an Israeli insurance company, Harel. You can find more information at yedidim-health.co.il.
Emily Eastmond at seminars@wupj.org.
Join Progressive Jewish communities from around the world in Jerusalem for Connections 2027.
