URJ Receives $5 Million Gift From Heller Family To Enhance Transformational NFTY-EIE High School in Israel Program
New York, NY, October 19, 2016 – The Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) announced today that the Heller family of Scotch Plains, NJ, has made an endowment gift of $5 million to fund the NFTY-EIE High School in Israel Program, which is being renamed URJ Heller High: Isaac and Helaine Heller EIE High School in Israel. This is the largest gift in EIE history, and the URJ’s largest non-capital gift.
The Union for Reform Judaism's Camp Newman Dedicates $4 Million Koret Conference Center Serving Northern California Jewish Community
On November 5, the Union for Reform Judaism’s Camp Newman will dedicate the Koret Conference Center at URJ Camp Newman, a sacred new space for the Northern California Jewish community to enjoy immersive year-round Jewish experiences. The Koret Conference Center’s completion is a critical phase in the major development project completing the Jewish retreat center at URJ Camp Newman.n November 5, the Union for Reform Judaism’s Camp Newman will dedicate the Koret Conference Center at URJ Camp Newman, a sacred new space for the Northern California Jewish community to enjoy immersive year-round Jewish experiences. The Koret Conference Center’s completion is a critical phase in the major development project completing the Jewish retreat center at URJ Camp Newman.
URJ President on United Methodist Church Rejecting BDS
This week’s clear decision by the United Methodist Church rejecting the efforts of those who misguidedly sought to draw the Church into the boycott, divestment, sanctions campaign to delegitimize Israel is a welcome step in support of peace between Israel and the Palestinians.
URJ Launches JewV’Nation Fellowship: An Interfaith Outreach Incubator for Emerging Jewish Leaders
Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) today launched the JewV’Nation Fellowship, an innovative year-long project incubator and leadership development program supporting emerging Jewish leaders and creative interfaith outreach initiatives. The program, which will begin in early 2017, is supported in part with a Jewish Funders Network grant from Avenues to Jewish Engagement for Intermarried Couples and their Families, in honor of 2015 Genesis Prize Laureate Michael Douglas.
The JewV’Nation (pronounced “juvination”) Fellowship program will be led by April Baskin, URJ’s Vice President of Audacious Hospitality, and seeks to engage a new generation of leadership by valuing the perspectives and insights of the younger members of the community and supporting them with resources and strategies to bring their best ideas to life. The fellows themselves will define and create exciting and contemporarily relevant Jewish programming.
Reform Jewish Movement Launches New Greening Initiative
Rabbi Marla Feldman: "Climate change is the crisis of our time, and we must confront this challenge in our individual and communal lives."
Contacts: Emily Grotta, 212.650.4227
Rabbi Marla Feldman, 212.650.4000
New Fair Pay Law Combats Injustice of Wage Discrimination
Saperstein: "In these trying economic times, equitable pay is not only a right, but a vital step in enabling women and minorities, the most frequent victims of discrimination, to pull themselves out of poverty."
Children's Health Bill is an Investment in America's Future
Saperstein: "SCHIP is a crucial program, providing access to quality, affordable, life-saving and preventative care."
Contact: Kate Bigam or Jill Zimmerman
202.387.2800 | news@rac.org
Vital Stimulus Package Must Also Support Most Vulnerable Communities
Saperstein: "The number of Americans in need is expanding, and so must our compassion, creativity, and collective will to help them through this trying time."
Saperstein's Letter to Obama Addresses an Era of Great Challenge and Opportunity
"In this time of economic upheaval and military challenges, the pursuit of justice is more urgent than ever."
Contact: Kate Bigam
202.387.2800 | news@rac.org
Reform Movement Welcomes Appointment of Senator Mitchell as Middle-East Envoy
Saperstein: "Over a lifetime of public service Mr. Mitchell has demonstrated formidable talent as a consummate statesman and as a master at bridging divides."