Statement of Union for Reform Judaism President Rabbi Rick Jacobs Responding to the Mass Shooting in El Paso, TX
URJ President Rabbi Rick Jacobs: “Israel’s Decision To Bar U.S. Representatives Is Wrong. Democracies Do Not Hide.”
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.
Goodwin Liu Withdraws Appeals Court Nomination
Pelavin: "It is a shame that the judicial confirmation process has devolved to the point where a nominee as qualified as Prof. Liu cannot even get a confirmation vote."
Senate Wisely Rejects Ryan Budget
Rabbi Saperstein: "Congress can only safeguard against future threats to the most vulnerable among us by seriously applying itself to the task of justly and morally balancing the budget."
Communities Enhance Black-Jewish Relations Through Quality Programming
Rabbi Saperstein: "We are very grateful for the Kovler family's generosity and support in building bridges between Blacks and Jews - and are immensely pleased to support these programs."
Senate Fails to Advance Goodwin Liu Nomination
Rabbi Saperstein: "Today's vote is a disturbing reminder that obstructionist tactics have become the rule instead of the exception for judicial nominations."
Increased Oil Drilling Not the Solution to High Energy Prices
Rabbi Saperstein: "While we recognize the great difficulties faced by working families struggling with high gas prices, the solution will not solely be found in expanding our domestic offshore oil production."
Letter to Congress Urges Repeal of Defense of Marriage Act
Rabbi Saperstein: "It is unconscionable discrimination for the government to deny the benefits and rights that all loving, committed couples deserve equally under law."