ReformJudaism.org Launches Wholly Jewish, A New Podcast About Jewish Identity
The Wholly Jewish podcast from ReformJudaism.org explores what we all have in common as we live and balance complex and nuanced identities. It’s these varied identities that, when braided together, make us wholly ourselves – and “Wholly Jewish.”
More than 1,000 Jewish Teens and Adult Leaders from Across North America to Gather in Dallas at Convention Focused on How to Build Community & Enact Change
Reform Movement Decries President’s National Emergency Declaration to Build Border Wall
In response to President Trump’s decision to declare a national emergency at the southern border of the U.S., Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, issued the following statement on behalf of the Union for Reform Judaism, the Central Conference of American Rabbis, and the wider Reform Movement institutions: “We believe that the President’s decision to declare a national emergency to build a border wall is ill-advised and should be revoked. We have consistently stated that the wall is a misguided response to the very real problems in our immigration system, including the real challenges of border security, which warrant comprehensive reform. Whether implemented through congressional or executive action, regular order or emergency declaration, the wall remains an irresponsible plan."
URJ Mourns Al Vorspan, Social Justice Leader of Reform Jewish Movement
Rabbi David Saperstein, senior advisor, Union for Reform Judaism and director emeritus, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, on behalf of the Union for Reform Judaism, issued the following statement: “Today, we mourn the passing of Al Vorspan, former senior vice president of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) and director emeritus of the Commission on Social Action of Reform Judaism, who died on Sunday, February 17, at age 95. Vorspan, who worked tirelessly to found and strengthen the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism in Washington, D.C., was one of the g’dolei hador, “great ones” of Jewish social justice work
Reform Movement Statement on Prime Minister Netanyahu's Initiative to Bring the Racist Otzma Yehudit Party into the Government
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.
URJ President: We're Opposed to Israeli Legislation on NGOs
In response to attacks against human rights NGOs in Israel, including the advancement of a “Transparency Bill” in the Knesset, Rabbi Rick Jacobs, President of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ), issued the following statement.
Reform Jewish Leader Responds to Implementation of the Iran Nuclear Deal
Rabbi Rick Jacobs, President of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) issued the following statement in response to the announcement that the P5+1 have fully implemented the Iran nuclear deal, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
North American Reform Movement Applauds Passage of Plan to Enhance Egalitarian Prayer Space at Western Wall
Years of Organized Efforts Yield Significant Victory for Reform Jews, Women of the Wall: New Area to be Under Non-Orthodox Oversight
In the most significant development in the nearly generation-long campaign by Women of the Wall and their allies for religious equality at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, the Israeli government today approved the creation of an enhanced egalitarian prayer space at the Wall, which, for the first time, will be under the authority of non-Orthodox leadership.
Rabbi David Saperstein Joins Food Stamp Challenge
Rabbi Saperstein: We have long advocated for anti-hunger programs, like SNAP and WIC, that meet the needs of the 49 million food-insecure Americans but the Challenge places in stark relief how difficult it is to obtain enoughfood and nutritious food on a food stamp budg