Calling for Criminal Justice Reform in my Community
As president of NFTY I have had the unique privilege of traveling across the U.S and internationally to address issues of social injustice and push for young adult voices to be heard loud and strong.
Connection Fuels Jewish Disability Advocacy Day 2016
Maria Town, the Associate Director of the White House's Office of Public Engagement addresses JDAD 2016
ReformJudaism.org Launches New Podcast "On the Other Hand: Ten Minutes of Torah" with Rabbi Rick Jacobs
ReformJudaism.org, the flagship website of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) reaching more than two million visitors annually, has launched a new weekly podcast entitled On the Other Hand: Ten Minutes of Torah.
Featuring URJ President Rabbi Rick Jacobs, the engaging and entertaining podcast is available now for download and subscription on iTunes, RSS feed, and other platforms.
To access the podcast, visit Reformjudaism.org/podcasts
The Torah In Haiku: T'tzaveh
For whom is the inscription intended? Was it for the Israelites, that they would recognize the sacred nature of Aaron's position? Or was it for Aaron, to remind him that he was serving God as the representative of a holy people?
Five Jewish Texts Show us a Balance between Civil Liberties and National Security
As debate continues to swirl over how our government can continue to address the threat of terrorism in a way that upholds our civil liberties, it can be difficult to keep track of the many issues this basic question raises.
Amyloidosis? Yes, You Need to Know
As a communications director, it’s my job to tell other people’s stories. However, I’m not always so comfortable telling my own. Even so, I want to tell you my dad’s story. More than that, I need to tell you about amyloidosis, the rare disease that took his life, so we can help save others from the same fate.
Bobbing for Justice: A Mikveh Victory in Israel
For many years, the Orthodox Rabbinate's control over almost all public mikvehs in Israel has ensured the exclusion of anyone who doesn't meet their religious standards. To fulfill the mikveh requirement, converts had no choice but to immerse in the sea, out in the open, even in cold weather.
Leap Day and Adar II: An Extra Day, an Extra Month
This year of 5776 is a leap year and we are, right now, in the midst of the "extra month." This month is called Adar Aleph, and it only occurs in seven of every 19 years.
5 Jewish Texts to Balance Civil Liberties and National Security
While it is clear that not all of these texts are in agreement, together they communicate the need to pursue policies that balance national security and civil liberties.
Notes from My Recent Visit with Prime Minister Netanyahu
The prime minister has been generous with his time; in fact, I have had the opportunity to meet with him often since becoming president of the URJ.