Reform Jewish Movement Responds to School Shooting in South Florida
Reform Movement leadership statements in response to yesterday’s mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, which left at least 17 people dead and many more injured.
Rabbi Rick Jacobs: Israeli Ministers Must Stop Their Hate Speech
Union for Reform Judaism Establishes Presidential Fellowship on Millennial Engagement
The Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) is launching a new high-level fellowship to strengthen its engagement with millennials. The first Fellow will be Evan Traylor, 21, of Edmond, Oklahoma. Traylor, who will graduate from the University of Kansas in May, will work alongside URJ President Rabbi Rick Jacobs and leaders of the Reform Movement to develop a toolkit for engaging millennials as partners in creating a more just, whole, and compassionate world.
Rabbi Rick Jacobs: Ultra-Orthodox MKs Must Learn the Torah of Respect
Statement by Rabbi Rick Jacobs, President of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ):
MK Israel Eichler’s comments yesterday are yet another example of the extreme intolerance of the ultra-Orthodox religious establishment. Clearly they feel a seismic shift in their decades-old monopoly on Judaism in Israel. Their stranglehold on Judaism is being loosened, and their response is desperate and pathetic.
It is hard to imagine what twisted Torah MK Eichler studies when he characterizes the largest Movement in Jewish life as “mentally ill.” Our Torah teaches us the values of pluralism and of tolerance - and it teaches us not to use phrases like “mentally ill” as an epithet.
Reform Movement Appaulds Steps Toward "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Repeal
Pelavin: "We must no longer allow prejudice to deprive our nation of the skills and commitment of talented men and women."
Contact: Kate Bigam or Rebecca Katz
202.387.2800 | news@rac.org
Reform Movement Welcomes Legislation Strengthening Iran Sanctions
Saperstein: "These strengthened sanctions provisions will send a strong message to companies that they may either do business with the United States or with the repressive Iranian regime."
Reform Leader Welcomes Supreme Court Decision in Lewis v. Chicago
Rabbi Saperstein: "Todays unanimous decision in Lewis v. Chicago is a victory for civil rights, ensuring that firefighters, and others, who are victims of discriminatory practices in their workplaces can have their day in court."
Reform Movement Appaulds International Iran Sanctions Agreement
Saperstein: "We commend the sustained diplomatic efforts of the United States and other global leaders of the non-proliferation regime."
Contact: Kate Bigam or Liz Piper-Goldberg
202.387.2800 | news@rac.org
Reform Rabbi Joins Interfaith Delegation in DC to Protest Anti-Immigration Law
Rabbi Linder: "We are here today to answer the call of our God to ensure not only that we love the stranger, but that our government and its agencies love the stranger as well."
Reform Movement Welcomes Committee Support for Liu's Nomination
Saperstein: "I urge the Senate leadership to expeditiously schedule a vote on Professor Lius confirmation."
Contact: Kate Bigam or Jessica Weiser
202.387.2800 | news@rac.org