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
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:
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's Speech Highlights Importance of Bipartisan Support for Israel
March 3, 2015, Washington, D.C. - In response to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's speech delivered before a joint session of Congress today, Rabbi Jonah Pesner, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, who attended the speech in person, issued the following statement:
Women of Reform Judaism Increase Funds for Girls' Scholarships to Reform Jewish Sci-Tech Camp
New York, NY, March 11, 2015 -- Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ) has doubled its scholarship fund from its YES (Youth, Education, & Special Projects) Fund to send more girls to the URJ 6 Points Sci-Tech Academy, given the overwhelming success of WRJ's targeted outreach during last summer's inaug
Reform Movement Offers NYC Theater Arts Summer Program for Jewish Teens
March 16, 2015--This summer, the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) will launch Just Act NYC -- a brand new theater experience for Jewish high school students in New York City.
Rabbi Rick Jacobs Responds to Israeli Election Results
"Our Movement is, And Remains, Committed to Democracy, to Peace, And to Pluralism. We Will Reach Out to the New Government, Partnering Where Possible, Challenging Where Necessary."
Reform Movement Leaders React to the Elections in Israel
New York, NY, March 18, 2015 - Today we join supporters of democracy around the world in marveling at the vibrancy of Israeli society and the openness of her electoral process.
Reform Leader Reiterates Unconditional Support for Israel
This speech was given by URJ President Rabbi Rick Jacobs on March 21, 2015 at the JStreet Conference in Washington, D.C.
We gather at a pivotal moment in the history of Israel.