Why Judaism Puts Faith in the Counsel of Scientists
Jewish tradition comes down decidedly on the side of science. One of the primary values in Jewish legal thought: Pikuach nefesh, saving a life, overrides almost every other religious mitzvah.
Related Blog Posts on Current Events and Tikkun Olam
Justice, Justice Shall We Pursue: Resources for Action after the Capitol Insurrection
The Union for Reform Judaism shares resources for use in congregations and Jewish communities, as well as by families and individual, in our shared pursuit of justice.
This MLK Day, We Celebrate, Reflect Upon, and Act to Advance Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Legacy
This MLK Day, we can honor the legacy of Dr. King and fight back against white supremacy and systemic racism by urging Congress to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.
Watch "Healing, Hope, Action," a Reform Jewish Gathering after the U.S. Capitol Insurrection
Before the start of Shabbat, the Reform Jewish community hosted a live webinar, "Healing, Hope, Action: A Reform Movement Pre-Shabbat Gathering," sharing a Jewish framing for what we’re experiencing communally and as a country.
Democracy Is a Promise We Renew Every Day
Democracy is, indeed, a promise we renew not just on election day, but every day. Democracy does not exist independent of our contributions to it. Citizens and immigrants, voters, and presidents – all of us build democracy.
Jewish Resources for Coping with the Insurrection in Washington, D.C.
What we saw Wednesday was not just an unprecedented assault on the U.S. Capitol but on our constitutional democracy and the values we as Reform Jews – and Americans of all faiths and cultural backgrounds – hold so dear.
A Chilling Portrait of Bigotry: Hate Crime Murders Reach Record High in 2019
On Monday, the FBI released its annual compilation of hate crimes statistics, which summarizes all hate crimes reported to the FBI in 2019. The grim data underscore the alarming power of hateful ideologies.
The COVID-19 Crisis and the Faith Community
In addressing epidemics, there are a number of provisions of Jewish law directly relevant to challenges we face today. The spirit of these laws and their wisdom speaks across the centuries to us now.
“Grace in the Wilderness," A Post–Election Day Prayer for National Healing
On November 4, 2020, Americans woke up to an uncertain outcome of the U.S. presidential election. People across the political spectrum are experiencing a roller coaster of confusion, fear, and hope.
Addressing Mental Illness in a Time of COVID-19 and Systemic Racism
As the United States grapples with COVID-19 and faces a renewed focus on racial justice, this week provides an important opportunity to take stock of how both issues affect mental health.
