Israel Programs

A view of Jerusalem and the Western Wall

Building Deep Relationships with Israel: URJ Heller High and the People of Israel

Rabbi Loren Sykes

March 16, 2023

Heller High aims to build deep, lasting relationships between North American Jewish teens and Israel, developing the next generation of Reform Jewish Zionists. The Heller High program gives students the opportunity to learn from and get to know different groups of Israelis.

Isaac Hirt Manheimer and wife Ewoenam who founded the UnityEco Village pose among lush greenery with their three young children

Environment and Climate Change

A Jewish Ecovillage Founder on Celebrating Earth Day in Ghana

Aron Hirt-Manheimer

April 19, 2021

Isaac Hirt-Manheimer is the founder of Unity Ecovillage in Ghana, constructed according to eco-friendly principles that he learned while attending the Green Apprenticeship training program at Kibbutz Lotan in Israel.

A few Israeli flags on flagpoles against a blue sky background

Yom HaZikaron & Yom HaAtzmaut

Spread the Word: Virtual Events Commemorating Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut

Rabbi Josh Weinberg

April 5, 2021

As Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut approach during this continued period of social distancing, you're invited to join the Reform Movement and our partners for any and all of the following online events in observance of the two holidays.

Group of students standing in an ancient cave with a teacher at the front

Israel Programs

Teaching the Biblical Period Builds a Foundation for Jewish Identity

David Alon

March 30, 2021

The Tanach is our owner’s manual. If we want to operate this complex thing we call Jewish identity, it’s probably worth reading the instruction book. Are we doing enough to engage on a daily basis with our ancient sources?

Two men holding doves in their hands while wearing bucket hats

Youth Engagement

My Gap Year in Israel is the Best Decision I’ve Ever Made

Josh Glucksman

February 23, 2021

Israel is our home. It was in the Torah, and it is now. It sure isn’t perfect, and it might not be around forever, but that’s exactly why we need to come.