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 Movement Responds to Supreme Court Ruling on Mojave Desert Cross
Rabbi Saperstein: "In yesterday's ruling, the Court decided by a narrow margin to diminish both the power of religious symbols and Americans' religious liberty."
Reform Movement Appalled by Hamas' Shalit Video
Pelavin: "We again ask our leaders to remember Gilads plight and do everything in their power to help ensure his release."
Contact: Kate Bigam or Liz Piper-Goldberg
202.387.2800 | news@rac.org
Reform Movement Condemns Passage of Anti-Immigration Bill in Arizona
Saperstein: "This bill is an affront to Americas history as a land welcoming to immigrants who have sought not only freedom, but the opportunity to contribute to and strengthen our nation."
On World Malaria Day, a Commitment to Eradication
Pelavin: "Malaria, proven beatable by our own country more than half a century ago, can be defeated around the world today."
Contact: Kate Bigam or David Goodman
202.387.2800 | news@rac.org
Arizona Rabbis Urge Governor's Veto of Anti-Immigrant Legislation
"Allowing an individuals accent or skin color to precipitate an investigation into his/her legal status is an affront to American values of justice and our historic status as a nation of immigrants."
On 40th Earth Day, Reform Movement Demands Climate Action for Our Future
Saperstein: "The growing threat of climate change looms on the horizon but - unlike on the first Earth Day 40 years ago - clean energy solutions abound. We look ahead with hope."