Rabbi Rick Jacobs, the incoming president of the Union for Reform Judaism, with his family at the Movement's Biennial conference outside Washington, Dec. 17, 2011. (URJ)
Jacobs, 56, talks in the boldest of terms when he promises to open the doors of Reform Judaism — which has already taken pioneering steps to welcome gay Jews, interfaith families and the disabled — even wider. Read more »
The URJ recommitted itself to cultivating the next generation through the Campaign for Youth Engagement and announced a new emphasis on reaching North American Jews both inside and outside the walls of its congregations.
Vaclav Havel was a friend of the Jews and of Israel, but prominent Jews who mourned his passing this week said the Czech leader’s greatest legacy was his universal message of freedom. Read more »
Israel's treatment of its Palestinian prisoners is closely watched and sometimes criticized by Israeli and Palestinian human rights groups, but Israel supporters argue that the treatment reflects well on Israel and contrasts sharply with how Israeli captives have been treated by Palestinians. Read more »
Attacks by radical West Bank settlers on the Israeli army have sparked intense debate over how best to combat lawlessness in the West Bank. Read more »
New sanctions targeting Iran’s financial sector and its sale of crude give President Obama leeway to moderate their possible impact on oil markets and to use carrots as well as sticks to sway third parties into isolating the Islamic Republic. Read more »
Spotlight On: Interfaith Families
In December, the URJ will highlight resources to help congregations welcome and support interfaith members. Read more »
Contact the URJ Outreach Specialists Rabbi Victor Appell, Arlene Chernow, Stephanie Fink and Lead Outreach Specialist Vicky Farhi with any questions about Outreach to interfaith families.
In this week's parenting podcast, Dr. Paula Brody explains the issues that interfaith couples face as they make decisions about the religious identity of their children and their family as a whole. Read more »
Rabbi Zachary Shapiro declares about Chanukah: "It's not about how big lights and massive decorations make our lives beautiful. It's about how the smallest light can make a difference." Read more »
Cantor Regina Lambert-Hayut discusses ways to honor all parents, both Jewish and non-Jewish, and how to help find roles for them in congregational life that are both meaningful and comfortable. Read more »
A summer at a URJ Camp, NFTY Mitzvah Corps or NFTY in Israel program is the perfect gift. Register your child now and give them the gift that will last for years to come. Read more »
Featuring songs from world-renowned artists from inside and outside the Jewish music scene, this dynamic collection is a breath of fresh air that will infuse some of the "festive" back into your Festival of Lights. Read more »
Molly Benoit reminds us that story of Chanukah is a story "of the precious religious liberty that was denied to the Jews under King Antiochus and which Americans are so thankfully guaranteed by the First Amendment." Read more »
Deadline: Feb. 3. As part of the URJ's Campaign for Youth Engagement, the Machon Kaplan Internship, a six-week work/study internship program for college students based out of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, is FREE. From June 10-July 22, 2012, college students will experience real-world public policy work and learn about Judaism and social justice. The program provides housing and college academic credits. Read more »
URJ Congregational Representative Kate Bigam reminds us that there is more work to be done to ensure that our congregations are accessible to all. Read more »
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