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.
ReformJudaism.org Launches Wholly Jewish, A New Podcast About Jewish Identity
The Wholly Jewish podcast from ReformJudaism.org explores what we all have in common as we live and balance complex and nuanced identities. It’s these varied identities that, when braided together, make us wholly ourselves – and “Wholly Jewish.”
More than 1,000 Jewish Teens and Adult Leaders from Across North America to Gather in Dallas at Convention Focused on How to Build Community & Enact Change
Reform Movement Decries President’s National Emergency Declaration to Build Border Wall
In response to President Trump’s decision to declare a national emergency at the southern border of the U.S., 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 institutions: “We believe that the President’s decision to declare a national emergency to build a border wall is ill-advised and should be revoked. We have consistently stated that the wall is a misguided response to the very real problems in our immigration system, including the real challenges of border security, which warrant comprehensive reform. Whether implemented through congressional or executive action, regular order or emergency declaration, the wall remains an irresponsible plan."
URJ Mourns Al Vorspan, Social Justice Leader of Reform Jewish Movement
Rabbi David Saperstein, senior advisor, Union for Reform Judaism and director emeritus, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, on behalf of the Union for Reform Judaism, issued the following statement: “Today, we mourn the passing of Al Vorspan, former senior vice president of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) and director emeritus of the Commission on Social Action of Reform Judaism, who died on Sunday, February 17, at age 95. Vorspan, who worked tirelessly to found and strengthen the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism in Washington, D.C., was one of the g’dolei hador, “great ones” of Jewish social justice work
Reform Movement Statement on Prime Minister Netanyahu's Initiative to Bring the Racist Otzma Yehudit Party into the Government
URJ's Rabbi Rick Jacobs on Hateful Comments by Jerusalem Chief Rabbi
Rabbi Rick Jacobs, President of the Union for Reform Judaism, issued the statement below in response to hateful comments about Reform Judaism by Jerusalem's chief rabbi: Although I defend Jerusalem Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar’s right to hold hateful, odious beliefs about me and the Reform Movement, what I find indefensible is that his salary is being paid by the Israeli government.
URJ Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute (OSRUI) Welcomes New Director Solly Kane And Opens Registration For Summer 2018
The Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) welcomes Solly Kane as Director of URJ Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute (OSRUI). Kane is OSRUI’s 10th Director, and the first former OSRUI camper to serve in that position.
Reform Jewish Movement Assails White House Targeting of Immigrant Youth
For Immediate Release
September 5, 2017