Dr. Ingrid Mattson, president of the Islamic Society of North America addressed the Union's Biennial this morning. The text is below. The audio version is online here.

Good morning and greetings of peace from the members of the Islamic Society of North America.

It is a great honor to have this opportunity to speak to the members of the Union for Reform Judaism at this wonderful convention.

Almost four months ago, Rabbi Yoffie stood in front of a general audience of attendees at the 44rth annual convention of the Islamic Society of North America, the organization of which I have been President since 2006. Our membership is diverse: it includes Muslims with origins from all parts of the world, men and women from different schools of thought and practice within Islamic tradition. We are an umbrella organization for Muslim individuals and organizations who wish to identify with and contribute to a larger vision of what it means to be a Muslim in North America, and who cooperate to develop strategies for achieving that vision. In the 44 years since we held our first convention, our umbrella has expanded and the voices included in dialogue have diversified: more women, more scholars representing different schools of Islamic thought, both modern and traditionalist, as well as leaders from other religious traditions.

Rabbis Yoffie, Thal and Saperstein shoot some hoops to raise money for Nothing But Nets in this Biennial Podcast. Did Rabbi Thal beat Rabbi Saperstein? Did Rabbi Yoffie take it to the hole? Press the play button below to find out.

Michael J. Fox, principal figure in the fight to cure Parkinson’s Disease, received the Maurice N. Eisendrath Bearer of Light Award, one of the Reform Jewish Movement’s highest honors today. Below are his remarks:

I’d like to thank Rabbi Yoffie for inviting me to the Biennial, and for the tremendous honor of this award. It’s humbling to find myself in the company of the humanitarian giants who have been recognized by URJ before me.

Some of you heard me talk about stem cell research at the Religious Action Center in 2005. In thinking about Bearer of Light and the legacy of Rabbi Eisendrath — his tireless commitment to the principles of tikkun olam, “repairing the world” — I wanted to talk today about how we all carry out this legacy, whether on a world stage or simply in the context of our own lives. (Or both.)

We launched The Michael J. Fox Foundation in 2000, shortly after I went public with my PD diagnosis. I can’t say that when we started we really knew what we were up against. Our original intention was to cut through red tape, get money to scientists fast and speed new treatments to patients.

Tonight Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa of Los Angeles addressed the Biennial. Here is a brief piece from his speech:

There is a central idea that justice and opportunity exists for noe of us if it fails to reach all of us.

And there is the faith that our best days are yet to come.

I may have be Catholic, born and raised. But the lessons of my life and a career in public service, have always found their clearest articulation in Hebrew: Tikkun Olam, Tzedakah, and Mitzvot.

Rabbi Lynn Lansberg, senior advisor on disabilities for the Reform Movement is working hard to make sure we always keep in mind those in our community who are disabled. Click on the play button below to hear a brief conversation with the rabbi.

This morning more than 75 Reform Jews woke up before the sun to don light blue sweat-shop free (but not so sweat-less) t-shirts and took part in the earliest Biennial program, "Run for the RAC." Listen in to the many RAC Runners talking about why they would get up so early to run (!) during each Biennial Convention. Click the play button below to listen to the Podcast.

Social Action is at the core of Reform Judaism and the Biennial is the perfect place to put our values into action. Rabbi Marla Feldman, director of the Commission on Social Action of Reform Judaism explains that there are many opportunities to pursue justice, such as the Adopt-a-Soldier and Nothing But Nets campaigns, during the 69th Biennial in San Diego. Click on the play button below to learn more.