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
Finding Wholeheartedness in Your Life
In Parashat Noach, Noah is called an, ish tzaddik tamim, a “blameless” or “wholehearted person in his age.” But biblical commentators criticize his conduct, saying he lacked compassion for his fellow man and that he committed incest. What, then, is the meaning of the word tamim?
Searching Oneself on the Way Forward
In Lech L’cha, God commands Abram and to travel on a physical journey “to the land that I will show you.” At the same time, God instructs Abram to look within, taking an inner spiritual journey within himself.
Judge a Society by Its Hospitality
In Vayeira, The people of Sodom and Gommorah are depicted as inhospitable, and even cruel, in their treatment of visitors and the poor. We can learn to become an open, welcoming society by following the opposite of their example.