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.
Reports of Lockerbie Bomber's Death Provide Reminder of Terroism
Saperstein: "The war against terror can only be won if those who seek to use such means to achieve their twisted goals know that the world stands unified against their efforts."
Reform Movement Hails Passage of Vital Hate Crimes Bill
Saperstein: Today's Senate vote is a critical step in the long struggle to protect the safety and physical wellbeing of all Americans and we look forward to its swift enactment by President Obama.
Shift in White House Sudan Policy Signifies Move Toward Accountability
Saperstein: "The new policy is both a substantive and strategic approach that dispels the ambiguities of our Sudan policy during the past seven months."
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Anti-Semitic Analogy Prompts Call for Apology from Reform Jewish Leader
Saperstein: "I very much hope that ...
House Addresses Iranian Threat, Passes Vital Sanctions Legislation
Saperstein: "We commend the House for voting to empower individual states to use this tool of economic diplomacy in a constitutional fashion."
Senate Finance Vote a Healthy Step Closer to Insurance Reform
Pelavin: "Todays vote is a milestone in the journey toward giving American citizens the health care coverage they deserve, but it is by no means the end of the line."