Reform Jewish Movement Responds to School Shooting in South Florida
Reform Movement leadership statements in response to yesterday’s mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, which left at least 17 people dead and many more injured.
Rabbi Eric Yoffie Calls for Increased Shabbat Observance in Reform Movement
SAN DIEGO, Dec. 15, 2007—Almost 150 years ago the founder of the Reform Movement transformed American Jewry by moving the major Shabbat worship service to Friday night, thus accommodating Jews who had to work on Saturday.
Survey Confirms Trend Toward Reform Embrace of Ritual
SAN DIEGO, Dec. 15—A recent survey of Reform Jews affirms the trends toward a greater observance of Shabbat and the embrace of traditional rituals, with the trend most visible among those who are under 40 and in Jews-by-choice.
Rabbi Eric Yoffie Outlines Agenda for Reform Jews: Health Care, Muslim Dialogue and Increased Shabbat Observance
SAN DIEGO, Dec. 15, 2007—Reform Jews at the largest Jewish convention in North America were urged to return to their homes and become community activists, advocating for universal health care in their state and opening dialogue with Muslims in their communities.
Resilience of the Soul Breaks Ground in Adolescent Mental Health
SAN DIEGO, CA—To help families and congregations offer teens a safe place to mature into adulthood, the Union’s Department of Jewish Family Concerns has published Resilience of the Soul – Developing Emotional and Spiritual Resilience in Adolescents and Their Families, A Resourc
NOW AVAILABLE: The Torah: A Women’s Commentary
SAN DIEGO, CA — Eve doesn’t have to take the blame any more! With the publication of The Torah: A Women’s Commentary the rich voice of women in our tradition will be heard loud and clear.
Rabbi Rick Jacobs: Israeli Ministers Must Stop Their Hate Speech
Union for Reform Judaism Establishes Presidential Fellowship on Millennial Engagement
The Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) is launching a new high-level fellowship to strengthen its engagement with millennials. The first Fellow will be Evan Traylor, 21, of Edmond, Oklahoma. Traylor, who will graduate from the University of Kansas in May, will work alongside URJ President Rabbi Rick Jacobs and leaders of the Reform Movement to develop a toolkit for engaging millennials as partners in creating a more just, whole, and compassionate world.
Rabbi Rick Jacobs: Ultra-Orthodox MKs Must Learn the Torah of Respect
Statement by Rabbi Rick Jacobs, President of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ):
MK Israel Eichler’s comments yesterday are yet another example of the extreme intolerance of the ultra-Orthodox religious establishment. Clearly they feel a seismic shift in their decades-old monopoly on Judaism in Israel. Their stranglehold on Judaism is being loosened, and their response is desperate and pathetic.
It is hard to imagine what twisted Torah MK Eichler studies when he characterizes the largest Movement in Jewish life as “mentally ill.” Our Torah teaches us the values of pluralism and of tolerance - and it teaches us not to use phrases like “mentally ill” as an epithet.