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 Jews Recommend Questions for Kagan Hearing
Rabbi Saperstein: "In order to best gauge our community's concerns, we developed a web-based campaign, AskElenaKagan.com, which allowed Reform Jews and others from across the United States to write in with questions . . .
Reform Movement Coordinates Religious Liberty Letter on Kagan Nomination
Rabbi Saperstein: "Although our organizations hold differing views on the nomination of General Kagan and many do not even take positions on judicial nominees, we are all committed to a strong separation of church and state and robust religious liberty for people of all
Reform Movement Condemns Death Threats Against Israeli Arab Knesset Members
Saperstein: "While we may not always agree with the ideas expressed, our deep commitment to Jewish and democratic values requires that we defend the free speech of all Israel's citizens, including its Arab citizens."
Reform Movement Welcomes New International Sanctions Against Iran
Saperstein: "This demonstration of consensus among global leaders sends a clear signal to Iran that its pursuit of a nuclear weapons program remains unacceptable."
Reform Jewish Movement Urges Senate Action On Jobs Bill
Saperstein: "It is crucial that ... the full force of the Congress [is] behind helping those struggling with the recession maintain financial stability."
Reform Jewish Guide for Congregations on the Impact of Health Reform Launches
Yoffie: "Guided by the teachings in our sacred texts, we are committed to the implementation of health insurance reform that provides the highest quality of care for the greatest number of Americans."