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
Why I'll Be Cycling in Israel This Spring
As a teen in 1966, I was diagnosed with Osgood-Schlatter (O-S) disease, a ligament inflammation characterized by a painful bump below the knee that worsens with activity.
How to Get It Just Right: Follow Instructions and Improvise
In the Torah portion T’rumah, the word “tavnit” or “pattern” occurs three times, referring to a visual model or maybe a blueprint to follow in building the Tabernacle.
Disability Awareness, Acceptance, and Inclusion: From Stigma to Pride
Rabbi Edythe Held Mencher helps us understand why the language of disability is such a powerful determinant of social attitudes, from prejudice to pride.
Hiding My Disability Kept Me from My Fullest Life
At a very young age, I absorbed the message that illness and disability were things to be ashamed of, and so I hid my troubles in shame. In short, I cheated myself.
Remembering the Life and Legacy of Rabbi Lynne Landsberg, z"l
Just a few days after the first yahrzeit of my friend and mentor, I can’t help but recall how she influenced my life and the legacy she left behind.
What Is Our Responsibility to Future Generations?
Learn Torah from NFTY-ite April Springer, winner of this year’s Blickstein D’var Torah Competition.
An Orthodox Man, a Reform Woman, and a Nun Walk onto a Plane…
Recently, a Haredi’s hard hat box fell on my head. The metaphor was stark: female rabbinical student bashed by a symbol of religious hegemony she’s long rejected.