URJ Biennial, North America's Largest Jewish Gathering, Begins in Chicago
December 11, 2019; Chicago, IL – The Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) has gathered more than 5,000 Reform Jewish leaders and community members at the 75th
Jennifer Brodkey Kaufman Elected to Serve as Chair of the Union for Reform Judaism's Board
Jennifer Brodkey Kaufman, of Sacramento, CA, has been elected to serve as the next chair of the North American Board of Trustees of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ). The role is the top lay leadership position in the URJ, which represents North America’s largest and most diverse movement in Jewish life.
Torah Scroll Rescued from the Holocaust To Be Returned Home To New Czech Republic Congregation
A Torah scroll that miraculously survived destruction during the Holocaust and was cherished for decades by generations of North American Reform Jewish youth leaders at URJ Kutz Camp will be returned home as a symbol of the rebirth of Jewish life in Central Europe. Reform Jewish Movement leaders chanted from this remarkable Torah scroll during Shabbat worship services at the URJ Biennial, the largest Jewish gathering in North America, and then the symbolic transfer announcement of this Torah was made.
JCC Association of North America and The Union for Reform Judaism Launch Unprecedented Partnership to Strengthen Field of Jewish Early Childhood Education
JCC Association of North America and the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) announced a major new partnership to address immediate challenges facing the field of Jewish early childhood education and family engagement. This marks the first time JCC Association and the URJ, the two largest providers of Jewish early childhood education in North America, are partnering on a joint initiative of this scale. Their work together impacts more than 65,000 children from 50,000 families and 10,000 educators across 475 early childhood centers in the United States and Canada.
Draft Climate Legislation Marks Significant Step Forward On Environment
Pelavin: "The world is looking to the United States to lead the way in confronting the environmental and economic crisis of climate change, and the draft bill released today is a significant step toward tackling this global problem."
Reform Jewish Movement Praises Amicus Brief on Key Voting Rights Case
Saperstein: "We strongly urge the Supreme Court to affirm the lower courts ruling and ensure that section 5 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act remains a stronghold of protection at the polls for members of minority communities."
Reform Movement to Newspapers: Remove Anti-Semitic Cartoon
Pelavin: "Published during a tenuous cease-fire in Gaza, this cartoon will only add fuel to the proverbial political fire and stroke the flames of anti-Semitism."
Plan B Ruling A Victory for Women's Health
Pelavin: "By allowing for expanded access to emergency contraceptives, we can provide young women with the resources necessary to make decisions about their own reproductive health."
Reform Movement Launds Introduction of Disability Rights Bill
Rabbi Landsberg: "Too often, American society excludes those who need assistance.
Obama's Signing of UN Statement A Win for LGBT Rights
Pelavin: "We are hopeful that last weeks actions by the Obama Administration signal a new US commitment to protect the basic rights and dignities of all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity."