URJ President Rabbi Rick Jacobs to Prime Minister Netanyahu: Dismiss Deputy Foreign Minister
Rabbi Rick Jacobs, President of the Union for Reform Judaism, issued the following statement in response to denigrating comments about North American Jews by Israel's Deputy Foreign Minister: The Deputy Foreign Minister has a right to her ill-informed and insulting views. But such views disqualify her holding such an important role in Israel’s diplomatic corps. Her comments serve to underscore how the Israeli government disdains the majority of North American Jews.
URJ Releases Preliminary Findings From 2 Important Surveys Demonstrating Effectiveness Of Work In Priority Areas
URJ today released preliminary findings from two important surveys concerning the effectiveness of its work in priority areas: Israel and Youth Engagement. On the eve of the largest URJ Biennial ever, Rabbi Rick Jacobs, URJ Presidents says, “Our work raising up the next generation of Jewish leaders in North America and advocating for religious pluralism in Israel are among our very highest priorities, and we are proud to see that these authoritative surveys provide data to support what we have long thought to be true: The URJ’s work in these areas is making a profound difference. Individually, and especially when viewed together, they make a strong, data-driven argument that the Reform Movement is making great progress on priority concerns.”
URJ Announces New Directors for Specialty Camps to Engage Unaffiliated Jewish Youth
October 16, 2012, New York, NY - The Union for Reform Judaism is proud to announce new directors for its two specialty camps.
The Union for Reform Judaism Establishes Fund to Help Communities Impacted by Hurricane Sandy
October 30, 2012, New York, NY - In response to the devastating impact of Hurricane Sandy, the Union for Reform Judaism is activating its Hurricane Relief fund to collect donations for those suffering in the Hurricane's wake.
Reform Movement Condemns Rocket Attacks in Israel
Rabbi Saperstein: "The rockets serve no purpose other than to kill and terrorize innocent Israelis and the ongoing effort to target them must not continue."
Reform Movement Welcomes 2nd Circuit's Ruling on DOMA
Rabbi Saperstein: "We oppose DOMA because of our unequivocal support for equal rights for all people, including the right to a civil marriage license, reflecting our understanding that the stamp of the Divine is present in each and every human being."
Reform Movement Deeply Concerned by Congressional Letter from Christian Denominational Leaders
Rabbis Jacobs, Saperstein and Stein: "Unfortunately, by calling for hearings only on aid to Israel and not mentioning the aid given by the U.S.
Reform Movement Welcomes Ruling on PA Voter ID Law
Rabbi David Saperstein: "There are few more vital responsibilities than choosing our communal leaders, and no citizen should be denied the right to exercise that responsibility."