What the Union Stands For
The primary mission of the Union for Reform Judaism, the congregational arm of the Reform Movement, is to create and sustain vibrant Jewish congregations wherever Reform Jews live in North America. The synagogue is at the very center of Jewish life, transforming individual members into caring, committed Jews, inspiring them to live Jewish lives. The synagogue is the door through which our members encounter a larger entity, K'lal Yisrael, the people of Israel. We welcome as members all congregations that share our vision and want to join us in our sacred work.

The Reform Movement is the largest Jewish religious movement in North America, with 1.5 million Reform Jews and more than 900 congregations that are part of the Union for Reform Judaism. Although each congregation is autonomous, and very individual in its programs, worship style, and culture, all are characterized by the same core values:

• A God-centered Judaism that combines respect for Jewish law and Jewish tradition with a progressive religious outlook designed to remain relevant and meaningful to contemporary North American Jews
• A commitment to Torah (lifelong Jewish learning), Avodah (worship of God through prayer and observance), and G’milut Hasadim (the pursuit of justice, peace, and deeds of loving kindness) – expressed in lifelong study of the sacred Jewish texts, creativity and spirituality in worship, and social action fulfilling the vision of the Prophets
• A commitment to klal Yisrael, the entirety of the Jewish people, with special focus on the people and the state of Israel, and on world Jewry, particularly on the needs of Progressive congregations everywhere
• A community-focused religion that honors the personal autonomy of the individual and the institutional autonomy of the congregation, within a framework of egalitarianism and inclusiveness.

What the Union Does
The Union provides leadership and vision to Reform Jews and Reform congregations on spiritual, ethical, and public policy issues as well as program materials and consultation. It is the voice of Reform congregations, speaking on behalf of our values in North America and throughout the world. The Union is a major patron of the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion and a partner in the World Union for Progressive Judaism, the worldwide organization of liberal Jewish congregations.

The Union provides opportunities for individual growth and identity that most congregations and individuals cannot provide by themselves, including camps and Israel programs, study kallot, advocacy and social justice programming through the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism and North American and regional biennial conventions. Our innovative programming and progressive outlook have given rise to a Judaism that is welcoming, evolving as well as involving, and relevant to the lives of North American Jews and their families in the 21^st century.

 
Benefits to the Congregation of Union Membership
When you affiliate with the Reform Movement, your congregation gains:

Service and counsel from Union staff in both our headquarters and regional offices Priority participation (and lower fees) at the Union’s network of camps Youth programs in North America and in Israel Placement services for professional personnel (rabbis, cantors, educators, administrators, program directors) Affinity programming for congregations with like needs and interests (small congregations, large congregations, membership chairs, finance chairs, etc.) Discounts through collective purchasing  A voice in developing Reform movement priorities and positions  Union support and guidance in many areas, including: Architectural consulting services Fund-raising and endowment issues Jewish family concerns (aging, diversity, children with special needs, and more) Leadership development Lifelong Jewish Learning (pre-school through adult) Membership recruitment, integration and retention  Music, worship and religious living Outreach and conversion Religious school curricula and textbooks Social action/ tikkun olam Strategic planning Synagogue management Participation in online discussion groups on matters of congregational practice Eligibility to attend North American and regional biennial assemblies Subscriptions for members to the highly acclaimed Reform Judaism magazine Assistance in resolving clergy-congregation disputes

Reform Partners and Affiliates
You’re not just joining the Union, you’re joining a Movement!

• American Conference of Cantors (ACC)
• Association of Reform Zionists of America (ARZA)
• Berit Mila Board of Reform Judaism
• Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR)
• Early Childhood Educators of Reform Judaism
• Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion
• Israeli Movement for Progressive Judaism
• Israel Religious Action Center
• Men of Reform Judaism
• National Association of Temple Administrators
• National Association of Temple Educators
• North American Federation of Temple Youth (NFTY)
• PARDES (Progressive Association of Reform Day Schools)
• Program Directors of Reform Judaism
• Reform Pension Board
• Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (The RAC)
• Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ)
• World Union for Progressive Judaism

Deciding to Affiliate
The Union strongly believes in affiliation, both for Jewish individuals and for congregations, in keeping with the words of Hillel:

Al tifrosh min hatzibur, Do not separate yourself from the community.
(Pirke Avot 2.5)

In considering affiliation your congregation must answer these basic questions:

1. Do we wish to be identified with a particular religious stream, and if so, which?
2. Do we wish to be affiliated with a religious movement?

Answering the first may be a matter of ideology and preferences in worship style; answering the second may be based on a desire for support services or community networking.

Some congregations are already identified as Reform when they join the Union; others have been identified with other movements where they no longer feel at home; some will be dually affiliated; and some, especially those that are just starting, have not previously identified themselves denominationally. We’ll be glad to work with you to help you determine whether the Reform movement and the Union for Reform Judaism are the right fit for your congregation.

Contact Us Please contact the Department of Synagogue Management at 212-650-4040, or synagoguemgmt@urj.org. A staff member will answer any questions you may still have regarding the benefits of affiliation with the Union for Reform Judaism and will put you in contact with the regional director for your geographic area, the individual who will guide your congregation through the Union’s admissions process.