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 President Rabbi Rick Jacobs: We Condemn President Abbas' Recent Statements
Rabbi Rick Jacobs, President of the Union for Reform Judaism, responds to recent statements by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas: We condemn unequivocally President Abbas’ recent statements rejecting the Jewish people’s connections with Israel, denying the legitimacy of a Jewish State of Israel, and promulgating conspiracy theories about the creation of the State of Israel.
Reform Jewish Movement Statement on Expulsion of Asylum Seekers from Israel
Organizations of the Reform Jewish Movement, the largest movement in Jewish life, issued a statement strongly urging the Israeli government to reverse its decision and recognize the legitimate status of the 37,885 asylum seekers in the country.
Rabbi Rick Jacobs’ Podcast “On the Other Hand: Ten Minutes of Torah” on ReformJudaism.org Celebrates Third Anniversary with First Live Studio Audience Recording
ReformJudaism.org, the flagship website of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) reaching 3.2 million visitors annually, is celebrating the third anniversary of the On the Other Hand: Ten Minutes of Torah podcast featuring Rabbi Rick Jacobs, the President of the URJ with its first episode recorded before a live audience. The special anniversary episode, “Courageous Leadership,” focusing on parashat Yitro, was recorded at the sold-out URJ Biennial convention in Boston last month.
URJ’s Rabbi Rick Jacobs: Statement on Polish Government’s Proposed Holocaust Law
Rabbi Rick Jacobs, President of the Union for Reform Judaism, issued the statement below in response to the Polish government's approval of a new law barring discussion of Polish responsibility during the Holocaust:
We were deeply disheartened by the Polish government’s approval of a new law that not only bars reference to “Polish death camps” but to discussion of the responsibility of Polish citizens during the Holocaust.