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
URJ President Speaks at 50th Anniversary March on Washington
Rabbi Rick Jacobs: "I am honored to speak and carry on the tradition of Reform Jewish leaders, who have been at the forefront of the Civil Rights Movement for decades."
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:
Thousands to Gather at URJ Biennial to Reimagine Jewish Life
August 19, 2013, New York -- Registration opened today for the Union for Reform Judaism's 2013 72nd North American Biennial, the largest Jewish gathering in North America.
Reform Movement Responds to Kotel Plan
August 25, 2013, New York, NY-- In response to Minister of Religious Affairs Naftali Bennett's announcement today regarding upgrades at the Kotel, the Reform Movement released the following statement:
Reform Movement Hails US Leadership at United Nations
Saperstein: "The United States leadership on this non-proliferation vote was critical and recognizes that no matter our economic, social or ecological advances, the world remains at grave risk if we continue to allow the proliferation of nuclear weapons."
Saperstein Testifies in Support of Employment Non-Discrimination Act
"It is time for our laws to reflect these values and allow members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community to live their professional lives without fear of discrimination or the pressure to hide their true identity."
As UN General Assembly Opens, Reform Movement Urges Action on Climate Change
Pelavin: "There are many urgent challenges facing our community, our nation, and our world today, but few pose a more serious and more urgent threat than global climate change, especially for the most vulnerable in our nation and around the world."