Reform cantors invested last year. Clockwise, from left: Cantors David Frommer, Cheryl Wunch, Jamie Marx, Joshua Breitzer, Melanie Cooperman and Mary Thomas (Photo courtesy HUC-JIR)

What's in a word? For 'ordained'
rather than 'invested' cantors, a lot

By Debra Rubin

The change in terminology recognizes the elevated professional role that cantors have in modern times and eliminates some barriers they have faced in their clergy work, say officials of the Reform movement. Read more »

See also:

• HUC-JIR: Ordination of Cantors for the
  First Time in Jewish History
• ACC: First Woman Cantor Retires
• NJ Jewish News: Cantor to be Feted for
  25 Years at Westfield Temple

REFORM MOVEMENT AND
JEWISH WORLD NEWS

• Synagogues slowly expanding inclusion
  to those with emotional, mental disabilities
• Michigan Radio: Fracking for natural gas,
  the benefits and the risks
• Soundly Jewish: Camp Kalsman offers
  kids the Jewish summer of a lifetime
• Young families bringing new life to
  Budapest synagogues
• Are Netanyahu and Barak bluffing on Iran,
  or are they already committed to war?
• Israeli airstrike wipes out terror tunnel
  in northern Gaza
• Obama proclaims Jewish Heritage Month

UPCOMING EVENTS

Jewish Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Awareness Shabbat

May 4-5:Promote inclusion of those who are deaf and hard-of-hearing in Jewish life.

See also: Just Give Us a Chance by Rabbi Robert N. Levine

Registration is now open for these popular URJ training opportunities:

• Small Congregations Kallot
  May 11-12 in South Bend, IN
  June 16 in Harrisburg, PA
• Mifgash Musicale A Musical Happening!
  July 22-July 26, in Cincinnati, OH
• Summer Learning Institute
  Aug. 8-12 in Cincinnati, OH

YOUTH ENGAGEMENT

• 10 Things to Know About the Campaign for Youth Engagement

• Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Reform Judaism Focuses on Youth

• Parenting Podcast: Dr. Shana Erenberg on The Importance of Addressing the Social-Emotional Needs of Children

• Summer is Around the Corner!

  Spaces are still available for campers and staff at URJ Camp and Israel programs!

40 Years of Women on the Bimah

Throughout May, we’ll be paying homage to the role of women in the rabbinate in advance of the 40th anniversary of the ordination of Rabbi Sally Priesand. Look to many of our resources below, join the conversations on RJ Blog, use #JewishWoman on Twitter, or comment on our Facebook wall about the Jewish leaders who have impacted your life.

A Look Back

• ABC News: Interview With First
  Female Rabbi (Nov. 1973)
• New York Times: Pioneering Rabbi
  Who Softly Made Her Way (May 2006)
• Video: 100 Years of Women of Reform Judaism

Discussions

• Men Can Be Rabbis?!
• Not More Than My Place;
  Not Less Than My Space
• Choosing to Lead
• Four Firsts

In the News

• Tribe: Ilana Mills makes history as the third of three sisters to become a rabbi
• Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Movement fights Israeli gender bias
• San Diego Jewish Journal:
  The First Lady
• Newsday: Women to celebrate Bat Mitzvah they missed as girls

The Torah: A Women's Commentary

The groundbreaking volume is the first to consider a female perspective on our sacred texts.
See also: A Sisterhood of Scholarship

HOLIDAY RESOURCES

Counting Our Blessings:
Why We Count the Omer

May 9-10: Lag BaOmer During the solemnity of the counting of the Omer, Lag BaOmer gives us a 24-hour window of festivity when weddings and special occasions are celebrated.

May 26-27: Shavuot. Shavuot is the Jewish festival marking the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. Special customs on Shavuot include reading the Book of Ruth, staying up all night to study Torah and Mishnah and eating dairy meals.

• Tikkun Leil Shavuot
• Activities for Teens and More!
• Holiday Happenings for Toddlers
• Social Action Guide

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