Reform Judaism: About Us

RJ.org is the place to get the News and Views of Reform Jews from around North America and the world. Filled with facts and opinions, action items, regular posts from Movement leaders and interesting tidbits from the greater Jewish world, this site is the platform where Reform Jews come together to chat, opine, kibbitz and learn in an online community.

Donald Cohen-Cutler (dcc) lives in New York City and works for the Union for Reform Judaism as the communications manager. He is active in local social justice advocacy and Jewish causes. He is a member of the Professional Leaders Project and is a huge Red Sox fan.

JanetheWriter writes and edits for the Union for Reform Judaism. She also is pursuing a master's degree in public administration (MPA) at Baruch College, part of the City University of New York. When she's not writing and editing, JanetheWriter enjoys many of the usual pastimes of New Yorkers including hanging with friends, poking around the city, people watching, going to the movies, visiting museums, browsing in bookstores, dining out, and perusing the Sunday paper.

Gardening Grandma is the Union for Reform Judaism's director of Marketing & Communications. When she's not working, Emily Grotta can be found digging in or weeding her garden. She also spends countless hours on cross country flights, visiting her grandchildren in Seattle and San Francisco.

Rabbi Richard Address is the director of the Department of Jewish Family Concerns for the Union for Reform Judaism. Rabbi Address joined the Union staff in 1978 after pulpit work in California. Rabbi Address was ordained in 1972, in May of 1998 he received a Certificate in Pastoral Counseling from the Post Graduate Center for Mental Health in New York and in May 1999 he received his Doctor of Ministry from the Hebrew Union College in New York. A die-hard Philadelphia sports fan, his hopes and dreams of championships are often dashed by any other sports franchise.

Steve Arnold became a Jew-by-choice last year after a 30-year interest in the faith. He serves on the board of directors and the ritual committee of Temple Anshe Sholom, of Hamilton, Ontario. He is also a periodic contributor to the Hamilton Jewish News and has helped edit a forthcoming book by Rabbi Bernard Baskin celebrating the 60th anniversary of the rabbi's ordination. A newspaper reporter for The Hamilton Spectator in Hamilton, Ontario, Steve edits an international newsletter on the Battle of the Little Big Horn and Gen. George A. Custer.

William Berkson, PhD, a member of Temple Rodef Shalom in Falls Church, Virginia, is director of the Jewish Institute for Youth and Family. He is author of a new guide, Avot: Ancient Jewish Wisdom as a Guide to Modern Life, and when he is not writing or teaching he designs type for the Font Bureau.

Marge Eiseman describes herself as The Jewish Peddler and is involved in an array of organizations and activities from radio show host and itinerant Jewish teacher and performer to making music, cooking, reading, writing, storytelling and traveling. She is a member of Congregation Sinai in Milwaukee, WI.

Mary Hofmann, a past president of Congregation Etz Chaim in Merced, CA, also is the congregation's educator and newsletter editor. She is a library media teacher at a middle school in Merced and serves as a County Library Commissioner, as well as on the boards of the Union's Pacific Central West Council, the League of Women Voters, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Mary is looking forward to retirement, which will give her more time for volunteer and civic activities, as well as reading, writing, and helping to develop and teach a public home-school program.

Richard J. "Dick" Israel is a retired Associate Justice of Rhode Island Superior Court. He previously served as Assistant Attorney General and Attorney General for the state. He is a longtime member, past president and current board member of Temple Beth-El, in Providence, RI, and depending upon where he makes his home, also worships at The Hevreh of Southern Berkshire. A US Army and Army National Guard veteran, Dick is a student of history, politics, Judaism and other religions.

Laurence (Larry) Kaufman is a member of Beth Emet, the Free Synagogue, in Evanston IL, and is a long-time, active member of the Reform movement and the Jewish world. He serves on the North American Board of the Union, the national Board of ARZA, the Executive Committee of the World Union for Progressive Judaism's North American Council, and is a past president of Temple Sholom of Chicago and of the Chicago Federation of the Union's Great Lakes Council. Under the screen name Hinneni, he is a frequent participant in the Temple-Chat and iWorship list-servs. In his day job, he is a public relations consultant, specializing in not-for-profit organizations.

Elise May is a member of Temple Emanu-El in Dallas, Texas, where she lives with her 11-year-old son. She's been in the aviation industry for 17 years, and currently works in the Inflight Training Department of a commercial airline. She and her son take full advantage of her flight benefits and travel extensively. Besides traveling, Elise's hobbies include writing, baking, reading, and being a mom.

Andi L. Rosenthal, an author and marketing professional, is a member of Larchmont Temple/Congregation Har Chayim in Larchmont NY. She is a URJ Outreach Fellow and recently was admitted to HUC-JIR's rabbinic program. Andi enjoys writing, cooking, music, reading, teaching, and, when she gets the chance, sleeping.

Kathy Ruiz Goldenkranz, a Jew-by-choice and president of Temple Beth El in Aptos, CA, is involved in a variety of social justice initiatives, within both the congregation and the community-at-large. She serves as a board member at Dientes Community Dental Clinic, which serves low and moderate income people without dental insurance in Santa Cruz County, CA. Kathy is married to Andrew Goldenkranz, and is the mother of two young adults, Suzanne, 21 and Max 19.

Barbara K. Shuman, is a member of Temple Sinai, Pittsburgh, PA, and a URJ national board member. From 1988 - 2005 she coordinated the URJ Kallah program and is currently a member of the Joint Commission on Worship, Music and Religious Living. A lifelong learner, she has completed the Morei Derekh training in Jewish Spiritual Direction. She companions others on their spiritual journeys, listening to their experience of holy Presence and nurturing the unfolding of a deeper relationship with the mystery we call God.

David A.M. Wilensky, a student at Drew University in Madison, NJ, considers himself an Observantly Reform Litvak. He grew up at Congregation Beth Israel in Austin, TX, where he was the president of Austin Temple Teens for two years. In the fall of his senior year of high school, David participated in the NFTY-EIE High School Semester in Israel. He attended the URJ Kutz Camp for two years and now works there during the summer. He blogs at The Reform Shuckle.

Mark K. Young, a commercial furniture sales manager, is an active member of Beth Haverim (Shir Shalom) in Mahwah, NJ. Married for more than 25 years to Jane Young, registrar for Introduction to Judaism courses in the Union's New Jersey-West Hudson Valley Council, they are the parents of Harrison, a musician, composer and teacher.