RJ Blog

Jews young and old are searching for innovative and contemporary ways to explore their heritage. Reform congregations have been experimenting with different liturgical melodies for years, and urban minyanim experiences like the Riverway Project in Boston are fostering new and dynamic worship and learning experiences. WAREHOUSE ATX, March 15th at the South by Southwest Festival (SXSW) in Austin, TX, is an alternative Shabbat experience using music and new media produced by ROI Community member Josh Nelson in partnership with the Union for Reform Judaism. The Warehouse seeks to reengage young Jews by hosting Shabbat events in unconventional spaces.

by Steven Portnoy The mission of the Men of Reform Judaism’s (MRJ) Reform on Campus (ROC) committee is “to assist students in creating meaningful Reform Jewish experiences on campus that will lead them to being active and involved Reform Jews for life.” Because I have been an involved member of this committee for eight years, the last five of which I have served as chair, I am intimately familiar with the committee and its work.

by Ashley Hufford I was raised Jewish.  I went to Hebrew pre-school, then a bi-weekly Hebrew school. I had a bat mitzvah and even a confirmation, but I never considered myself that Jewish. I always said “I’m Jewish with a focus on the ‘ish.’” It often garnered a laugh, but I also thought it was a pretty great description. When I thought about going to Israel, I didn’t think it would have such an impact on my life. I figured it would be, well, a free trip—which is why the whole experience took me by surprise. I was incredibly nervous [...]

A group of five or six girls sitting around, talking, laughing to the point of tears. The scene could be anyone, anywhere, and it has repeated itself countless times over the years: on a bunk bed at Greene Family Camp, around the campfire under the stars, in dorm rooms, and now, a few years after college, in front of our computers in a Google “Hangout,” Google’s multi-person video chat.

Read about how KESHER Birthright alum Alexis Drattell found a home for herself in Israel, then carried her experiences with her as she discovers Reform Jewish life in Milan, Italy.

The Union for Reform Judaism is thrilled to announce the launch of three URJ Communities of Practice. Jewish tradition places great emphasis on learning and what it brings to both individuals and the community-at-large. With that in mind, the URJ’s soon-to-be launched Communities of Practice will provide opportunities for congregations with shared concerns and interests in a particular area to study and advance their current strategies. Through participation, congregations will be emboldened to experiment “at home,” pushing the boundaries of their previous efforts while receiving peer support and guidance along the way. Although most communities of practice will learn, experiment [...]

by Rabbi Donald Kunstadt I carefully read Reform Judaism magazine’s “Forum for the Future” – it was well-written and deserves all of our attention. Two messages rang clear throughout all the writings: These devoted young Jewish leaders are not joining congregations; however they are searching long and hard for Jewish community. Clearly they are not finding the community they want within established congregations which are largely designed for an older member. The entrée to membership has most often been the question, “How are we going to educate our children?” – an irrelevant one for most 20 somethings. Though a singularly [...]

by Rabbi Gary Glickstein Rav A.I. Kook, the former Chief Rabbi of Palestine, often remarked that our role as Jews is to fulfill the vision that “The old shall be renewed, and the new shall be made holy.” (Letters vol. I, p. 214) Last month The New York Times reported on a high-tech High Holiday service led by a young rabbi, Amy Morrison, in Miami Beach. I am proud to say that Rabbi Morrison is a relatively recent addition to our rabbinical team at Temple Beth Sholom. The service, which took place at the Jewish Museum of Florida, was one [...]

I was thrilled to participate in Reform Judaism magazine’s winter cover story, “Forum for the Future,” a symposium that provides Jews in their 20s and 30s a platform to speak candidly about what young adults want and need to find their home in the Jewish community. Historian and Brandeis University professor Jonathan Sarna sets the stage, shedding light on what history can teach us about the challenge of engaging the next generation of Jews and what to make of young Jewish leaders who are questioning and disrupting the establishment. And then, the panelists:

I was on the phone a few months ago with Marshall Einhorn, executive director of Brown-RISD Hillel, discussing a talk I was asked to give at Brown, where my younger son is currently a junior and of which my older son is an alumnus. As an aside, I asked Marshall who would be leading the campus Reform services for the High Holy Days. When he said he had asked a number of people but without success, I offered to help. “That would be great!” Marshall said. “Let me know if your networks surface someone interested.” “No,” I told him. “Maybe [...]

Summer provides an opportunity for college students to experience the outdoors, challenge themselves in new ways, and build new relationships. Why not do all of that as a Jewish role model? The URJ Camps, NFTY in Israel and NFTY Mitzvah Corps each have a wide variety of employment opportunities available: everything from trip leaders, education and program specialists, unit heads, teaching faculty and more, in locations across North America and the world.

Throughout Jewish life there are many benchmarks. Some are optional, and some come with tradition. The path I have taken has definitely been one of structure.

I ended my last post by saying, “There is much more to tell of my time in Israel – and some of those stories will make an appearance in my next blog post.” I’m delighted to share the next installment of stories from my first trip to Israel as the URJ’s president. Spending time with our Movement’s leaders, teachers, and activists always reminds me of how far we have come as an authentic Israeli movement. Recently, especially, we have achieved some important victories – but there is so much more to do to make sure that Israelis who want to [...]

I often find myself saying, “I never went to summer camp” – but that’s not exactly true. I did go to camp. I went to Camp Y-Noah, a YMCA day camp where I excelled at archery, in particular. I went to Camp Ledgewood, where I joined other Girl Scouts horseback riding, sleeping in tents, and calling our counselors things like Bubbles and Ginger in place of their real names. And I went to Kent State for Kids, a college-style day camp that allowed me to pick “classes” on topics that interested me, like acting, more archery, and learning Korean (yes, [...]