Little Failure
The Yiddish phrase lachen mit yashtsherkes literally means "laughing with lizards" but is usually meant as "laughing through the tears." It's an idea that is prevalent throughout Gary Shteyngart's latest book, Little Failure, a memoir of his childhood as a Russian immigrant in A
Reform Movement Reacts to Palestinian "Unity Government"
June 5, 2014, New York, NY – In response to the formation of a Palestinian "unity government," Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) President Rabbi Rick Jacobs, issued the following statement:
Divestment Vote Undermines Presbyterian-Jewish Relations
Detroit, June 20, 2014 - In response to the Presbyterian Church's vote to divest from Israel at their General Assembly meeting, Rabbi Rick Jacobs, president of the Union for Reform Judaism, issued the following statement:
Reform Jewish Movement Mourns the Deaths of Three Murdered Israeli Teens
JERUSALEM, Israel, June 30, 2014: In response to the news that the bodies of three missing Israeli teens, Naftali Fraenkel, Gilad Shaar, and Eyal Yifrach, have been found, Rabbi Rick Jacobs, President of the Union for Reform Judaism, issued the following statement:
Union for Reform Judaism to Award Up to 20 Grants to Fund Innovative Projects to Engage Members in Congregational Life
NEW YORK, January 9, 2012 – For the second year, the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) is offering Incubator Grants to member congregations. Up to 20 projects will be funded a maximum of $5,000 for fiscal year July 1, 2012 - June 30, 2013.
Ten Reform Congregations Earn Top Honors for Outreach Programming
Three Jewish Community Federations Receive Shutafim Award for Outstanding Federation/Synagogue Partnerships
NEW YORK--January 11, 2012-- Every two years, the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) Synagogue-Federation Relations Committee presents the Shutafim Award for Outstanding Federation/Synagogue Partnerships to three communities -- one small, one mid-sized, and one large -- in special recognition o
New Release from URJ Press: Seekers of Meaning by Rabbi Richard Address
New York, January 18, 2012 -- Rabbi Richard Address has devoted his career to helping transform synagogues into caring communities.
URJ Stunned by Irresponsible and Disgraceful Column in Atlanta Jewish Times
Reform Jewish Movement Applauds Proposed Carbon Pollution Standards
Barbara Weinstein: "These new federal standards, which target a key source of carbon pollution, mark an historic step in our commitment to protecting public health and curbing climate change."