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."
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:
Rabbi Rick Jacobs: Israeli Ministers Must Stop Their Hate Speech
Union for Reform Judaism Establishes Presidential Fellowship on Millennial Engagement
The Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) is launching a new high-level fellowship to strengthen its engagement with millennials. The first Fellow will be Evan Traylor, 21, of Edmond, Oklahoma. Traylor, who will graduate from the University of Kansas in May, will work alongside URJ President Rabbi Rick Jacobs and leaders of the Reform Movement to develop a toolkit for engaging millennials as partners in creating a more just, whole, and compassionate world.
Rabbi Rick Jacobs: Ultra-Orthodox MKs Must Learn the Torah of Respect
Statement by Rabbi Rick Jacobs, President of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ):
MK Israel Eichler’s comments yesterday are yet another example of the extreme intolerance of the ultra-Orthodox religious establishment. Clearly they feel a seismic shift in their decades-old monopoly on Judaism in Israel. Their stranglehold on Judaism is being loosened, and their response is desperate and pathetic.
It is hard to imagine what twisted Torah MK Eichler studies when he characterizes the largest Movement in Jewish life as “mentally ill.” Our Torah teaches us the values of pluralism and of tolerance - and it teaches us not to use phrases like “mentally ill” as an epithet.
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."
Reform Movement Welcomes President Obama's Meeting with Netanyahu, Abbas
Saperstein: "[W]e commend President Obama for moving forcefully, during his first visit to the United Nations General Assembly as President, to restart the negotiations process."