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Urgency of Now Initiative
In 2017, the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism launched the Urgency of Now Initiative on behalf of the Reform Jewish Movement Developing a strong network of active and empowered congregations is imperative to the sacred work of תקון עולם (tikkun olam), repairing the world.
Stories We Tell: The Grandfather, the Granddaughter and the Donkey
An old grandfather and his young granddaughter go for a walk, leading a donkey by its reins. All is well, until they meet a stranger who wonders why they walk in the manner that they do. What happens next, in this story retold by Cantor Ellen Dreskin, teaches the grandfather and granddaughter a valuable lesson about what it means to take advice and please the people around them.
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Stories We Tell: The Prince Who Thought he was a Rooster
When a prince wakes up one morning and decides that he is actually a rooster, his father, the king, does not know what to do. Nothing that the king does can make the prince stop behaving like a rooster, until he seeks out the rabbi who has an interesting solution. This story, retold by Rabbi Marc Katz, explores themes of empathy, and what it means to meet people where they are.
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On the Other Hand: Ten Minutes of Torah - Sh’lach L’cha: Judaism on the Fringes
What does it mean to be on the fringes of Judaism? Does Judaism allow for creativity, allowing those on the fringe who want, to be brought toward the center? Is Judaism open to different forms of expression?
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Sukkot Explained, for Families with Young Children
On the 15 th of Tishrei, just five days after Yom Kippur ends, we usher in the holiday of Sukkot (translated into English as “booths” or “huts”). Sukkot , our Festival of Booths, is a festival of thanksgiving: for the food we have harvested, the homes we are so privileged to call our own, and for the natural world that surrounds us
Simchat Torah for Families
As the sun sets on the seventh day of Sukkot, we transition immediately into the jubilant celebration of Simchat Torah. There is no time to spare; we’ve got to get this Torah party started! Simchat Torah means “rejoicing in Torah,” and this holiday is a true celebration of Torah, and all that it represents. We dance, we sing, and we make merry, long into the night
The Conversion Bill Backgrounder
The Conversion Bill refers to the pending legislation in Israel that would grant the Chief Rabbinate exclusive control over matters of conversion. This bill threatens the legitimacy of Reform, Conservative, and even many Orthodox communities in Israel and beyond. The question of who is a Jew and which denominations are considered valid in the Jewish State are at the heart of this issue
The Western Wall Agreement: A History
The struggle for an egalitarian section at the Western Wall (the Kotel) where progressive Jews can pray with dignity is an ongoing and complex story. Read about the major developments here.
Conversion Law in Israel: A History
Recent attempts by Haredi parties to solidify their monopoly over conversions and to be the sole determiners of Jewish identity are part of a long and complicated history of conversion law in Israel. Read about the major developments here.
The Western Wall Backgrounder
The Western Wall Agreement refers to the decision to add to the egalitarian section at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, Israel. Yet, this historic deal has come under fire and there are threats to undo the progress made by this momentous agreement.