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While Conservative Judaism is at a crossroads nationwide, the same holds true for the local branch of the movement's umbrella organization.

Lisa Harris Glass, director of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism's (USCJ) Edison-based Mid-Atlantic District, resigned June 30 to head the Synagogue Leadership Initiative of the UJA Federation of Northern New Jersey. Barbara Rosenau, most recently assistant director of the Mid-Atlantic Region of the Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS), will assume a new role this month as the USCJ Mid-Atlantic District's assistant director. Rosenau will serve Philadelphia-area synagogues out of the former Mid-Atlantic Region's office in Jenkintown, Pa.

Formed in January as part of USCJ's consolidation of 15 regions into six districts, the Mid-Atlantic District consists of 108 member synagogues, spanning all of New Jersey and extending as far north as Scranton, Pa., and as far south as Wilmington, Del. While Rosenau is already in place, USCJ is still searching for a new director to oversee the entire district, said Harvey Rosen, president of the former New Jersey Region.

Rosenau, who was hired by Harris Glass, acknowledged that the staff of the Mid-Atlantic district is in flux, but said "that's what makes this an exciting time," because transitions are a launching pad for change and success.

USCJ needs to get a sense for the areas where each member synagogue needs assistance, Rosenau said, with the top three priorities being membership, fundraising, and leadership development. The scope of the Mid-Atlantic District is important, she said, because synagogues in different states with similar size and demographics can share best practices, rather than synagogues with proximity but unrelated concerns trying to do so.

"A small synagogue in New Jersey and a small synagogue in Harrisburg [Pa.] may have more in common," Rosenau said.

Rosen said that Harris Glass is "still part of the family" at USCJ because her husband David is the president of Temple Beth Ahm Yisrael, the Conservative congregation in Springfield. Harris Glass specialized in budget, fundraising, and finance during her time at USCJ, giving several Webinars on those topics.

"She was the go-to person in the organization [on budget issues], not only in the district but in the national organization as well," Rosen said.

Harris Glass did not return a request for comment before press time. Though the Mid-Atlantic District hasn't yet found a new director, Rosen said, "Our lay governance is in place and we are working pretty efficiently to stay in touch with our synagogues and provide them with the services that are required."

During her time as president of Temple Sinai in Dresher, Pa., Rosenau said she didn't take full advantage of USCJ's "myriad" services.

"I wasn't even aware of the hundreds of offerings," she said.

Besides for Philadelphia-area USCJ members, Rosenau said she will most likely also be serving the district's South Jersey synagogues. She said USCJ has the opportunity to "really be a source of service and meet the needs of the Jewish community" under the vision of Rabbi Steven Wernick, who just completed his first year as USCJ's executive vice president and CEO.

In the Mid-Atlantic District, Rosenau said she has already noticed the "promising partnership" between lay leaders and staff.

"It's about communicating and being responsive," she said.