How Does Reform Judaism Affirm the LGBTQ+ Community?
Reform Judaism has a long and proud history of working for the full inclusion of LGBTQ+ people in Jewish life and for their full civil rights.
How does Reform Judaism define who is a Jew?
Reform Judaism accepts in broad outlines the traditional definition of Jewish status: to be a "Jew" one must be a member of the Jewish people, a status obtained either through birth or conversion. Jewish identity is not determined purely by the individual.
Will A Rabbi Officiate My LGBTQ+ Wedding?
Mazel tov on your upcoming wedding. Although different rabbis may respond differently, nearly all Reform clergy would be happy to work with you.
Do Jews Celebrate Secular Holidays?
A reader asks whether Jews observe civic and secular holidays.
I've been given an aliyah at my nephew’s bar mitzvah. How can I prepare?
Being called to the Torah to chant the blessings before and after the Torah reading is a great honor.
Are Jews allowed to donate organs?
Jewish law does, in fact, permit organ donation! Whatever you have heard, whatever you thought you learned, set that all aside. Jewish law permits us to sign our donor cards and, when someone we love dies, to use their body to save other lives
Does Judaism advise spanking a disobedient child?
Rather than answering this question myself, I’m going to refer you to this great answer by Dr. William Berkson, director of the Jewish Institute for Youth and Family, which originally appeared in Reform Judaism magazine
Podcast: Why Marriage Equality is a Reform Jewish Value
Hear why marriage equality is a Reform Jewish value.
On the Other Hand: Ten Minutes of Torah - Tzav: How to Be a Leader
Parashat Tzav opens with a command to Aaron, the high priest. It’s a moment to think about leadership – who are our leaders and what do they do? Are our leaders born into the role, like Aaron, or are they called to leadership, like Moses?
On the Other Hand: Ten Minutes of Torah - Pesach: Why is This Passover Different from Other Passovers?
In this special Passover episode of On the Other Hand, Rabbi Jacobs discusses empathy. The story of Passover asks that we put ourselves in the shoes of those who escaped slavery and travelled to freedom, and that we think about what it’s like to have nothing.