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Shimon Peres on the Futility of War
After the recent passing of Israeli President Shimon Peres, z"l, I'm remembering the time I sat down with him in a Manhattan midtown hotel in 1994 at the beginning of the Oslo process to discuss the peace process.
What Is It About Israel?
It was a straightforward question, spoken in a tone that was casual but knowing: “Did it change you?” he asked us.
Teens, Power, and NFTY – Growing our Reform Youth Movement
A few weeks ago, I had the joy of being at the "NFTY-GER Ball," one of the many NFTY events being run by Reform teen leaders across North America. A room full of teens gathered at Temple Sholom in Scotch Plains, NJ to dance, laugh, get to know one another, and celebrate Jewish life.
URJ Online Presidential Bootcamp: Foundational Skills + Leadership = "The Right Stuff” for Presidents
We are excited to announce a new program for URJ Congregational Presidents and Presidents-Elect: The URJ Presidential Bootcamp.
Updated URJ’s Values, Mission, and Vision
I am delighted to report that the URJ North American Board recently approved new Values, Mission, and Vision statements as part of the URJ bylaws new language to our Values, Mission, and Vision statements; Section II.
Learning from our Students: Why We Must Safeguard Title IX Protections for LGBTQ+ Kids
The following blog post is adapted from remarks given by Rabbi Joshua Caruso (Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple, Beachwood, Ohio) at the Ohio Board of Education Hearing on December 12, 2022.
Celebrating the Indigenous Community is a Year-Round Value
One theme central to the month of Kislev is emerging from the struggle to survive. Jewish legend holds that it was in the month of Kislev that a rainbow appeared following the great flood in the time of Noah, that the Mishkan (Tabernacle) was built, and that the foundation stones of the Second Temple were laid.
Sharing the Miracle of Jewish Joy
Conversations about Hanukkah are few and far between in our ancient texts; most of what the Talmud records about Hanukkah is within a few pages in the tractate called Shabbat. But, as is so often the case, those millennia-old words have grown in significance as we prepare for Hanukkah.
Not Just a Checkbox: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Actions at URJ Camp George
In 2021, many of the URJ's 15 camps engaged in the creation of a URJ-structured Racial Equity, Diversity, Inclusion (REDI) Working Group & Camp Assessment process. One of those camps was Camp George in Ontario, Canada.
New Year, Same Me: Finding the Diamond Within
As Jews, we have the opportunity to celebrate the New Year not once, but several times. The Jewish year has four different New Year celebrations: Rosh HaShanah, Passover, Tu BiShvat, and Elul. Many Jews also celebrate the Gregorian New Year in January. That means we get five opportunities every year to do an accounting of our soul (cheshbon hanefesh) and make resolutions for growth and betterment.