Top 5 Highlights of the URJ Board Leadership Mission to Israel
Earlier this month, I joined URJ president Rabbi Rick Jacobs, Director of Israel Engagement Rabbi Yehudit Werchow, and nearly 50 URJ leaders for an incredible four days in Israel on the URJ Board Leadership Mission. It was a working visit, and it's difficult to boil down such an intense trip into five highlights moments, but here goes:
- Spending Shabbat in Israel is always meaningful, but on this trip, we could truly feel the impact of the Reform Movement. Friday night we attended services at IMPJ communities across the country, and during a Shabbat lunch with HUC-JIR students. Meeting dynamic, indigenous leaders we experience the strength of the Reform Movement in Israel - and could see it is growing stronger.
- Throughout the trip, Israeli leaders affirmed the importance of Reform Judaism. It was clear through our meetings with Prime Minister Netanyahu, President Shimon Peres, Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai, and Cabinet Secretary Avichai Mandelblit that the Reform Movement is taken seriously and greatly respected in the halls of government in Israel.
URJ Announces New NFTY Director to Transform Jewish Youth Movement
May 2, 2014, New York, NY -- The Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) announced that a new Director of NFTY. Micol Zimmerman Burkeman took the helm of the Reform Jewish Youth Movement this week.
Camp Harlam Receives Largest Gift Ever
New York, NY | May 22, 2014 – Camp Harlam, the Union for Reform Judaism's regional overnight camp based in Pennsylvania, announced today that it has received the largest gift in its history.
URJ Announces New Director for Jacobs Camp
May 22, 2014, New York, NY -- The Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) announced this week that Anna Blumenfeld Herman will be the new director of the URJ's Henry S. Jacobs Camp in Utica, Mississippi. Ms.
North America's Largest Jewish Gathering, URJ Biennial, Begins: 5,000 Reform Jewish Leaders Representing 1.5 Million Individuals Convene for Targeted Learning, Leadership Development, Spirited Worship, and More
November 4, Orlando, FL – The Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) has gathered 5,000 Jewish leaders
Union for Reform Judaism Opens First Southern California Camp, URJ 6 Points Sports Academy, Building on Continued Expansion of URJ's Specialty Summer Camps
November 6, 2015, Orlando, FL – The Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) announced today, from the URJ Biennial convention, the opening of the first URJ summer camp in Souther
Building on Successful Launch Cohort, Union for Reform Judaism Introduces New Communities of Practice, to Promote Innovation in North American Congregations
November 6, 2015, Orlando, FL – At the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) Biennial convention, the largest Jewish
URJ President Rabbi Rick Jacobs Praises Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's Pledge to Advance Reform Judaism in Israel
New York, NY; November 10, 2015 -- Following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech before the JFNA General Assembly in Washington, DC today, Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) President Rabbi Rick Jacobs responded with praise for the prime minister
World Progressive Jewry Expresses Solidarity with the French People
The North American Reform Jewish Movement stands in solidarity as our hearts break for the victims, their families, and the survivors of the Paris attacks.
URJ Board Adopts New Resolutions on Paid Leave, Immunizations and Predatory Lending
The Union for Reform Judaism North American Board this week overwhelmingly adopted new resolutions on Paid Family Leave, Mandatory Immunizations and Predatory Lending. The resolutions’ adoption concludes a consultative and inclusive process that began before the recent Biennial assembly held in November 2015 in Orlando, FL. The resolutions add to the canon of hundreds of URJ resolutions adopted over more than a century and which outline the URJ’s values and priorities.