MAJOR PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
OF THE UNION FOR REFORM JUDAISM
To enable the Union for Reform Judaism to fulfill its mission to strengthen Reform congregations and provide them with leadership, vision and programmatic support, the staff and lay leaders have developed programs to help in every aspect of congregational life. The following summarizes the mission of each department of the Union; please explore the various websites to gain a full appreciation of all the resources available. If you need additional assistance, please send a query to Ask the Union.

Lifelong Jewish Learning
The Department of Lifelong Jewish Learning provides resources to help synagogue educators and teachers advance the education that Reform students receive. We seek to improve our congregations' courses of Jewish education in order to create individuals and communities of Jews with a deeper and fuller commitment to Jewish living. Our mission includes educating Reform Jews from the youngest to the oldest.

Jewish Family Concerns
The Department of Jewish Family Concerns was created in recognition that Jewish family life is undergoping rapid change.Our mandate is to create programs and resources that allow and encourage congregations to meet the spiritual and systamic challenges emerging as a result of this dynamic change. The department places the importance of creating sacred relationships at the core of its work and sees the development of the Synagogue as a Caring Community as its central mission. Among the areas JFC is working with are: the revolution in longevity and the aging of the baby boomers, the impact of medical technology on decision making, creating pathways for resilience for adolescents and their families, mental health, inclusion of gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgendered Jews, raisiing awareness of disabilities and programs that promote the concept and linkage of Judaism and health.

Outreach and Membership
The William & Lottie Daniel Department of Outreach and Membership is dedicated to the mitzvot of ahavat ger (loving the stranger) and keruv (drawing near all who are far). We serve a diverse population: single adults and blended families; born Jews and religious seekers; interfaith couples; Jews by choice and those in the process of conversion; Jews of color; people of all sexual orientations. We are committed to helping our Reform synagogues actively welcome all and build vibrant, inclusive congregational communities. We assist congregations in their efforts to become sacred communities that welcome the full diversity of Jewish and interfaith families and those seeking to join or come closer to the Jewish people. We promote Membership as a mitzvah and our efforts focus on insuring that our congregations achieve effective recruitment, engagement and lifelong retention of their members. We also work with congregations to help them to empower and encourage individuals and families, including interfaith families, to make meaningful Jewish choices in the context of membership in a Reform congregation.

Reform Judaism magazine, a quarterly publication sent to every household in a Union congregation, is the official voice of the Union for Reform Judaism. Transcontinental Music Publications is the music publishing arm of the Reform Movement, offering an extensive variety of printed materials for solo voice, professional and volunteer choir, and congregational singing, plus cassettes and CDs for synagogue and home use. The URJ Press is one of the largest publishers of books and educational materials of Jewish interest for adults and children. In addition, there are a multitude of publications available in print and on-line to help with every aspect of congregational life and governance.

RJ Web-Builder
At the 2003 Biennial the Union introduced RJ Web-Builder, a simple to use Web program that enables congregations to have dynamic, robust websites with regularly updated content. A free benefit of membership in the Union, RJ Web-Builder requires no special skills, software, or hardware. Built on an easy-to-use content management system, RJ Web-Builder provides congregations with a sophisticated, content-rich website that is easy to maintain and update.

Social Action
The Commission on Social Action of Reform Judaism assists congregations in establishing programs that apply the insights of Jewish tradition to contemporary issues such as  human rights, civil liberties and economic justice. The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism(RAC) in Washington, DC, pursues social justice and religious liberty by mobilizing the American Jeewish community and serving as its advocate in the capital of the United States. The RAC follows pending legislation, alerts congregations about issues of concern to Reform Jews, and operates educational programs for youth and adults. The Commision on Social Action and the Religious Action Center implement the policy positions of the Union for Reform Judaism and the Central Conference of American Rabbis(CCAR).

Synagogue Management and Small Congregations
The Ida and Howard Wilkoff Department of Synagogue Management provides assistance to Union member congregations in all areas of synagogue management and administration. We strive to help congregations build, develop and maintain well-run spiritually fulfilling congregations, in which the sacred informs the practical and the practical enables the sacred. With the Joint Commission on Synagogue Management and in cooperation with the National Association of Temple Administrators, we develop materials for and provides consultations to congregations throughout North America. Recognizing that more than half of the congregations that constitute the Union have fewer than 250 membership units, the department provides a variety of services tailored to small congregations. 

Worship
The mandate of the Commission on Worship, Music and Religious Living is threefold: to enhance Reform worship, to integrate healing programming within the synagogue, and to foster the personal spiritual growth of every Jew. The commission and the Department of Religious Living are working with synagogues to redefine the role of the Ritual Committee.

Youth Activities
The North American Federation of Temple Youth (NFTY) provides a wide array of programming for Reform high school youth on the local, regional, and national levels. The Union for Reform Judaism operates twelve camps, each of which offers study and recreation for more than 8,000 youths of all ages every summer. Israel programs for high school and college students range from summer tours to serious study at Israeli universities.The KESHER College Department provides resources to college students and helps congregations maintain a connection with their students away from home.