RJ Blog

No, I don’t mean Hanukkah. No, I don’t mean the month-long slog toward Christmas. I don’t even mean the impending rush to solve our nation’s fiscal crisis before Congress and their staff tries to get home for Christmas. No, now is the time to apply for the Commission on Social Action’s 2013 Fain Awards! What better way to mark this holiday season than by applying for a chance to highlight your congregation’s impressive social justice work at next year’s Consultation on Conscience.

On Monday, Hungarian Member of Parliament Marton Gyongyosi called for the creation of a list registering all Hungarian Jews, with a focus on registering Jewish politicians and those of Israeli descent. He explained away his actions by deeming Hungarian Jews a national security risk. Gyongyosi has now made international headlines for his blatantly anti-Semitic remarks, which were eerily reminiscent of Nazi rhetoric.

Just this week, the IDF issued its first draft notices to 15,000 ultra-Orthodox youth (ages 17-19). Although their enlistment is not immediate, it marks the first time that the ultra-Orthodox community has been included in standard draft procedures. Over the past year, we have been keeping our eyes on the expiration of the Tal Law, which exempted ultra-Orthodox Jews from serving in the IDF. In February, we considered the decision by the Supreme Court that declared the Tal Law unconstitutional. In May Kadima joined the governing coalition with the hope of advancing army integration, only to leave the government after realizing [...]

Over the last week, escalating tension on the Temple Mount has resulted in the arrest of both Jews and Arabs. The violence on the holy site has led to accusations of police brutality and a call for an official Knesset investigation. With conflicting reports spreading blame for the recent uptick in violence among Jews, Arabs, and the police, it is hard to wrap one’s head around the conflict. To help provide a background on what’s going on on the ground, here are some useful resources: The Temple Mount is home to the Dome of the Rock, the Al Aqsa Mosque, [...]

So you want to change the world, but don’t know how? Join the RAC, NFTY and the American Jewish Archives at the Hebrew Union College campus in Cincinnati for a weekend of Jewish learning and community made just for high school students. We all have an obligation to repair the world. Spend the weekend of Oct. 12-14, 2012, learning the most effective way to make a difference. Explore the differences between social action and social justice and delve into our Movement’s rich history of working to create a more just world. Will you answer the call to be one of [...]

Now that the summer of 2012 is in the history books, we have been looking back on some of the wonderful times we had but also looking ahead to summer 2013 and why we can’t wait for you to come to camp.

by Sharon Mann Jewish women are united by faith and fate whether they live in Israel or in the Diaspora. Nevertheless, the geographic distance between us is great and sometimes concerns and cultural differences can be large as well. So, when Resa Davids, Chair, WRJ-Israel, suggested a twinning relationship to Kehillat Emet VeShalom, Nahariya (located eight miles from Lebanon’s border on the Mediterranean coast) and Temple Emanu-El, Tucson in February, 2011, both WRJ groups embraced the opportunity. Our desires to connect were based on the feeling that we could learn from each other, contribute to one another and enrich the lives [...]

Actress, writer, mom, and OSRUI Alum Sandy Rustin reminisces about her summers at OSRUI.

In the Torah portion of the week we were in Birmingham, we read about Balak and how when an obstacle is in your way, it might be there for a reason. Prejudice in the South has, in my opinion, made that community stronger. The people there have had to deal with hate and hardship, and have continued to survive. Birmingham has changed since the time of Martin Luther King Jr., and while prejudice may still exist, we have the strength to overcome it.

The biggest impact it had was this new attitude I have, which is that I pretty much agree to try anything. If someone asks me to help with something, or to try something new, even if I don’t necessarily feel 100% excited about it, I like to take part. It’s surprising how much you can enjoy something just by doing what you might not think you want to do. I learned to put myself into new situations that seem weird or scary, and just go with it…because, seriously, why not?

It’s sometimes easy to forget when I’m working behind the scenes that a building contract ultimately represents so much more than just a physical space at camp – a new cabin, a renovated dining hall, an outdoor chapel – but also its programmatic impact on campers. Even pouring concrete is an intentional step in our path to building Jewish identity.

The process of watching members of the major make a case for their line of the covenant was intriguing. After a full day of debate and conversation, additions and subtractions, spell-checks, and revisions, a unanimously approved brit emerged.

Our 2012 Camper Care Coordinator, Rabbi Jody Cook, reflects on our community’s work with Gift of Life Bone Marrow Foundation and a very personal connection.

The actions of these young people reminded me, once again, that Camp Harlam—and each of the URJ’s camps—is just such a community. My family and I have been blessed to be a part of this holy community, and, if you haven’t already, I urge you to make a URJ camp experience a reality for your children as well.