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 to Spend Night at Synagogue Homeless Shelter He Founded 30 Years Ago
Brooklyn, NY, January 14, 2014 – In 1983, when Rabbi Rick Jacobs was the rabbi at Brooklyn Heights Synagogue (BHS), he had a vision to start a shelter to address the growing problem of homelessness in New York City.
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:
Strong Evidence of the Impact of Reform Movement Youth Programs on Lifelong Jewish Identity
Reform Jewish Movement Applauds Proposed Carbon Pollution Standards
Barbara Weinstein: "These new federal standards, which target a key source of carbon pollution, mark an historic step in our commitment to protecting public health and curbing climate change."
Reform Jewish Movement Comments on State of the Union Speech
Saperstein: Inspired by the words of Pirke Avot "Do not separate yourself from the community" (2:5) that remind us of our obligation to others, we will continue to work with President Obama and Congress to meet the needs of all Americans.
Extreme Anti-Choice Bill Violates Jewish Teachings
Rabbi Saperstein: "As Reform Jews committed to the sanctity of a woman's life and personal dignity, and as Americans committed to core Constitutional principles, we are extremely disappointed by the passage of this bill, which would result in greater government interference
Reform Movement Appaulds Introduction of Key Voting Rights Bill
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