Interfaith Clergy Visit Detention Center in McAllen, Texas to Urge End to Separation of Families
On Thursday, June 21, an interfaith delegation of 40 religious leaders representing the Jewish, Catholic, Protestant and Muslim traditions, including the Reverend Al Sharpton; Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism; Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, Executive Director of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York; and Imam Johari Abdul-Malik will visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Centralized Processing Center and hold a press conference outside to demand that the Trump administration immediately end the zero tolerance policy and stop separating families at our nation’s borders.
Union for Reform Judaism’s Highest Award Winners Include Interfaith Trailblazers, Diplomatic and Advocacy Leaders for Israel, and the First Woman Ordained as a Cantor
November 6, 2019, New York, NY – Preeminent Jewish and interfaith global leaders will receive Reform Judaism’s highest honors at the 75th URJ Biennial in Chicago, Illinois, in December 2019.
URJ Statement on Israel Under Attack
New York, NY; November 13, 2019 –The Union for Reform Judaism deplores the massive, ongoing rocket attacks unleashed by Islamic Jihad upon Israeli communities throughout the South of the country and the area around Gaza.
Union for Reform Judaism Invests in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Leadership Development
URJ Urges U.S. Administration to Reverse Today's Announcement on Israeli Settlements
URJ President Rabbi Rick Jacobs: Illegal Settlement Legislation A "Lose-Lose" Policy
We are disheartened, concerned, but, alas, not surprised that Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government today voted to “legalize” illegal Israeli settlements that are built on privately owned Palestinian land. This action makes more difficult the achievement of a two-state solution and significantly undermines Israeli democracy. It is a lose-lose policy.
First-Ever Online "Introduction to Judaism" Class from Reform Movement
The Union for Reform Judaism (URJ), the largest, most diverse Jewish movement in North America, launches a new online Introduction to Judaism class, filling a significant need in the North American community for individuals who want to explore liberal Judaism but have no in-person opportunities to study.
Reform Jewish Leader Deeply Disappointed by Vote to Confirm Senator Sessions as Attorney General
In response to the Senate’s vote to confirm Senator Jeff Sessions as the next U.S. Attorney General, Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, issued the following statement on behalf of the Union for Reform Judaism, the Central Conference of American Rabbis and the wider Reform Movement:
We are deeply disappointed by the Senate’s vote today to confirm Senator Jeff Sessions as the next U.S. Attorney General. As a Movement that has worked for civil rights for over 50 years, we opposed Senator Sessions’ nomination because his record in public life displays an insufficient commitment to advancing voting rights, criminal justice reform, immigration reform, LGBTQ equality, women’s rights and religious liberty, all issues for which we would expect any Attorney General to be a champion.
URJ President Rabbi Rick Jacobs: President Trump's "Abdication" Of Two-State Solution Could Devastate Israel's Prospects For Peace
Reform Jewish Movement Opposes David Friedman’s Nomination for U.S. Ambassador to Israel
"This is a critical moment. Never before have we opposed the nomination of a U.S. Ambassador. We do so now because of the imperative need for us to voice our concerns about this critically important appointment. Our statement comes from our deep love for Israel and our fear that longstanding bipartisan support for Israel hangs in the balance.”