What a Syrian Refugee Family Taught Me About Freedom
Two Syrian refugee sisters were reunited in Chicago last week. Now they stand on the brink of a new life in a new Land of Promise.
Hanukkah Reconsidered: A Split in the Jewish Soul
I grew up loving this holiday – until I learned the dark side and felt like a kid discovering that there’s no Santa Claus. It turns out Hanukkah is, in part, a tale of Jew vs. Jew.
Reclaiming the Public Square with Hanukkah Lights
According to Rashi, we light Hanukkah candles to “publicize the miracle.” What exactly is the miracle we’re publicizing – and what’s the best way for us to do so today?
A Passover Family Activity: Which of the Four Children Are You?
Building a B'nei Mitzvah Community, One Retreat at a Time
Read about how one congregation infused the beginning of its b’nei mitzvah process with something more meaningful than a date assignment, and found ways to connect their b'nei mitzvah families to each other.
Teaching Children About Passover: Why is This Night Different?
Going to Temple? Bring a Friend!
When we love something, we want to share it – so why not be inspired to bring our Jewish friends into the kehilla kedosha (holy community), embracing them within a wonderful, sacred congregation?
It Is No Dream: How to Connect Preschool Families to the Congregational Community
Here's how one Chicago-land congregation successfully deepened its engagement with families with young children.
3 Rules for a Better Bar or Bat Mitzvah: The URJ Responds
Mark Oppenheimer's article for Tablet overlaps with much of our own work at the Union for Reform Judaism’s B’nei Mitzvah Revolution (BMR).
What It Means to Be Religious Zionists
As religious Zionists, Israel’s Reform leaders continually reinvent an Israeli Judaism that is authentic, inclusive, and ever-adapting to our evolving religious civilization.