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.
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."