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.
URJ Board Adopts New Resolutions on Paid Leave, Immunizations and Predatory Lending
The Union for Reform Judaism North American Board this week overwhelmingly adopted new resolutions on Paid Family Leave, Mandatory Immunizations and Predatory Lending. The resolutions’ adoption concludes a consultative and inclusive process that began before the recent Biennial assembly held in November 2015 in Orlando, FL. The resolutions add to the canon of hundreds of URJ resolutions adopted over more than a century and which outline the URJ’s values and priorities.
URJ President: We're Opposed to Israeli Legislation on NGOs
In response to attacks against human rights NGOs in Israel, including the advancement of a “Transparency Bill” in the Knesset, Rabbi Rick Jacobs, President of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ), issued the following statement.
Reform Jewish Leader Responds to Implementation of the Iran Nuclear Deal
Rabbi Rick Jacobs, President of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) issued the following statement in response to the announcement that the P5+1 have fully implemented the Iran nuclear deal, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
North American Reform Movement Applauds Passage of Plan to Enhance Egalitarian Prayer Space at Western Wall
Years of Organized Efforts Yield Significant Victory for Reform Jews, Women of the Wall: New Area to be Under Non-Orthodox Oversight
In the most significant development in the nearly generation-long campaign by Women of the Wall and their allies for religious equality at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, the Israeli government today approved the creation of an enhanced egalitarian prayer space at the Wall, which, for the first time, will be under the authority of non-Orthodox leadership.
Wisconsin Rabbis Defend Workers' Rights with Faith
Wisconsin Rabbis: "In keeping with the values of Wisconsin's Jewish community, and in the spirit of our state's motto -- forward -- we urge you to preserve the right of state employees to collectively bargain."
Black-Jewish Relations to be Fostered by Kovler Microgrants
Rabbi Saperstein: "We are excited to be able to make this new funding stream available and encourage you to work with your congregations, and African American partners to develop programming that will help strengthen relationships between the African American and Jewish comm
Vice President Al Gore to Give Opening Address at Consultation on Conscience: Session Will Kick off the 50th Anniversary Celebration for the Religious Action Center
Rabbi Saperstein: "As the leading activist on sustainability and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize for his advocacy on climate change, we couldn't ask for a better activist than Vice President Gore give the opening address."
DOJ Decision to Stop Defending the Discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act Long Overdue
Pelavin: "The stamp of the Divine is present in each and every human being. Loving, committed couples deserve the opportunity to celebrate their relationships and have them validated in the eyes of the law."
House Deals Severe Blow to Family Planning Services
House Deals Severe Blow to Family Planning Services Pelavin: "Today's vote is an attack against Planned Parenthood and its more than 820 clinics nationwide; it is a huge blow to the millions of women and men who rely on Planned Parenthood's services -- many of whom would oth