RJ Blog

The Jewish month of Elul is the perfect time for this symposium, and not just because  synagogues are opening of their religious school doors to young people and their parents for another year of Jewish learning. Elul is the very season of return. This month, in anticipation of the new year, we pause to recommit ourselves, communally and individually, to the enterprise of Jewish life and learning. So it’s the perfect time not only to imagine the future, but also to examine ways to inspire the next generation to discover joy in Jewish learning. Dr. Charles Edelsberg’s recent essay, characteristically, is [...]

In several days time, we will celebrate Shavuot, which commemorates God’s revelation of Torah at Mount Sinai. As part of our commemoration, we will join together as one community, stand again at Mount Sinai and receive the Torah all over again. In her groundbreaking book, Standing Again at Sinai, published more than 30 years ago, Judith Plaskow calls upon Jewish women to reclaim scripture rather than discard it because of its patriarchal nature. Her inspiring words challenge each and every one of us to stand again at Sinai and reclaim Torah for ourselves—regardless of our gender, sexual orientation, or life experiences that [...]

Next Wednesday, May 23, will be a big day for our family. That night, my wife, Dana Gershon, the outgoing president of The Rashi School’s board of trustees, will be honored at the school’s annual dinner. Dana has been president of the board for two years and, with four daughters, all of whom are Rashi students, we spend a lot of time at 8000 Great Meadow Road in Dedham, where we’re all part of the wonderful kehillah that is Rashi. Needless to say, between meetings, classes, sports, parent-teacher conferences, plays, t’filah, and more, it’s very often where our family hangs [...]

Last Monday, it was my great honor to offer the invocation at the annual Massachusetts State of the Commonwealth Address given by Governor Deval Patrick. Here are the words that I shared: In the Torah portion That the Jewish people read this week We hear the story of the exodus; Specifically, the recitation of the plagues God brings down upon Egypt Calling out to Pharaoh: How long Will you refuse To humble yourself Before me? Let my people go That they may serve me…

Boker Tov! Zeh hayom asa Adonai, nagila ve-nismcha bo! This is a day that GOD has given us; Let us rejoice and be glad in it! I am so deeply honored to stand before you as the next Senior Vice President of the Union for Reform Judaism. I grew up in this Movement. My father was the president of a small congregation; my mother became a bat mitzvah as an adult during Sisterhood Shabbat; my brother was the founder of our temple youth group; and I met my wife at Eisner.

We are in the midst of the Jacob stories in our Torah readings. Jacob’s life is marked by a series of transitions: birth, taking of the birthright and blessing from Esau, the journey to live with Laban, marriage to Leah and Rachel, and finally the return to his homeland. Each one of these transitions is in service of the wider transformation of Jacob into Israel as he becomes the leader capable of taking his place in the covenant with God. The transitions are marked simultaneously with painful moments and blessings.So it is with us. As I wrote in my first [...]

by Jonah Pesner As promised in my post last month, we are sharing with you below the DRAFT resolution on youth engagement that will be voted on at the upcoming URJ Biennial convention. It reflects our Call to Action: the steps we are committing to take as a Reform Movement in order engage more kids, more deeply in Jewish life. Please read. Share it with colleagues. React to it. Does the vision resonate with you? What would success look like in your community? Whether you are a teen, a parent, or a congregational leader, what role do you play in [...]

by Rabbi Jonah PesnerIn less than 48 hours, the sound of the shofar will awaken us to renewal.  As the Union for Reform Judaism prepares to pass the mantle of leadership from Rabbi Eric Yoffie to Rabbi Rick Jacobs, the shofar calls us to honor the past by building for the future. That is why Rabbi Jacobs’ first and highest priority will be the Campaign for Youth Engagement (CYE), launched as a final act of leadership by Rabbi Yoffie. Fittingly, Rabbi Yoffie has asked that all funds raised for the tribute book being produced to honor his legacy be put [...]

by Rabbi Jonah PesnerDirector, Presidential Transition, URJFounding Director, Just Congregations, URJ As I write this update on the status of the URJ Presidential Transition, the summer is nearing its end.  Our incredible Reform Movement camps have ended their successful seasons, our young people have returned from NFTY in Israel, and our high school leaders are gathering at summer kallot and institutes.  Seeing our children engaged in Torah, prayer and deeds is a constant reminder of the importance of our shared, sacred task. The Presidential Transition Team met for a day-long retreat this past summer.  The role of the team is [...]

by Rabbi Jonah Pesner Transitions are exciting because they are full of possibility; yet they cause anxiety because by nature there are unknowns. Transitions celebrate what was and what will yet be; but they also cause grief for what is lost and is now gone. As Rabbi Eric Yoffie approaches retirement, and Rabbi Rick Jacobs prepares to assume the presidency of the Union for Reform Judaism, we cannot ignore the tension in such a transition. It is like Havdalah, the ritual separating Shabbat from the coming week. With the extinguishing of the flame, we let go of a week gone [...]