URJ - 2007

September 2007

Visit the new website for URJ Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute
The Union's Executive Committee unanimously adopted a resolution calling for divestment from Iran, specifically from companies in the Iranian energy sector.
The Union launches a new campaign: Nothing But Nets. Fight the spread of malaria in Africa buy purchasing a bed net for $10, or start a campaign in your own community. Visit the site to learn about ways that you can help.
Visit the new NFTY Mitzvah Corps website!
On August 31, Rabbi Eric Yoffie spoke to the largest convention of North American Muslims, calling for open dialogue between Muslims and Jews and attacking those in politics, media and religious life who demonize Islam.
Excerpts from Summer 2007 CCAR Journal now available online
The Sacred Space & Synagogue Architecture from the Department of Synagogue Management has been expanded to include new resources and information for congregations involved in any phase of a building project.

August 2007

10 Minutes of Torah is now available as an RSS Feed!
A conversation with Rabbis Ellenson and Yoffie at the Joint Commission on Lifelong Jewish Learning, May 2007
Additional CCAR Responsa has been added to the CCAR website
Registration opens on September 5th for the Taglit-birthright israel: KESHER Israel Connection FREE 10 day trip to Israel
Katrina anniversary resources and the Gulf Coast recovery effort
Fall 2007 issue of Reform Judaism Magazine now online
Dear Reader: The College Chase, by Rabbi Eric Yoffie, RJ Magazine, Fall 2007
Set Sail to Biennial
- Register Now!
- Past Biennials
Seeing is believing! Catch a glimpse of what Biennial holds in store for you by watching the 2007 San Diego Biennial Video.
Sacred Choices: Adolescent Relationships and Sexual Ethics is a comprehensive curriculum designed for congregations and camps to use to teach sexual ethics to teens.
The Israel Leadership Exchange — fostering collaborative relationships between North American Judaism and Israeli Progressive congregations and centers concerned with the family; from the impact of medical technology to providing support in times of trauma and illness, to integrating those with disabilities and supporting aging with vitality and dignity.
Congregational Health and Wellness — guidelines, program ideas and best practices in creating and sustaining a congregational nurse program in your community.
Caring Community Best Practices — promoting model programs that are focused on creating and sustaining a caring community from providing support in times of trauma and illness, to integrating those with disabilities and supporting aging with vitality and dignity.

July 2007

Now you can listen online to the prayers sung and read corresponding to the Mitkadem curriculum.
The mission of the Early Childhood Educators of Reform Judaism is to provide vision, leadership, programmatic support, and resources to Reform Jewish Early Childhood Education Programs.
Information on Mishkan T'filah : A Reform Siddur
Temple Musicians—Register for the 2007 Mifgash Musicale
Prayers and Readings
The Department of Jewish Family Concerns is dedicated to creating programs of resiliency for youth & families, that embrace values of Healing, Health & Wholeness.
Kulanu, a program guide for congregations implementing LGBT inclusion.
Program ideas and guidelines for Congregational Nurses
Sacred Aging is a six part congregation-based program which looks at the impact of the changing demographics of our community and seeks to enlist congregations in developing and implementing meaningful and creative programs and services.
Disability Awareness Initiative
Reform Reflections: The Good and Bad of Chabad, by Rabbi Eric Yoffie
Torah Portion Schedule for 5767 and 5768 available online

June 2007

May 2007

Shavuot: A Celebration of Learning and Law
Excerpts from the Spring 2007 of CCAR Journal now available online

April 2007

2007 Outreach Fellows Program for Conversion Certification
Temple Musicians—Register for the 2007 Mifgash Musicale
Highlights from the Consultation on Conscience
Excerpts from the Winter 2007 of CCAR Journal now available online
As we celebrate 59 years of the establishment of Israel, the Jewish homeland, we should remind ourselves the place of Israel in our lives as Jews.

March 2007

Visit the new Web site of Union for Reform Judaism Camp Kalsman!
Visit the new Web site of Union for Reform Judaism Camp Harlam!
The Passover seder is one of the most widely observed of all Jewish customs, and at the center of every seder is a seder plate.
This Passover, spice up your seder with these modern matzah recipes.
As you prepare for Passover, which begins with the first Seder on April 2, you'll find lots of ideas for celebrating with your children or starting new traditions
New Blog: Riding4Reform fundraiser, a participant's view.
Rabbi Eric H. Yoffie, Regional Biennial Sermon, 2006-2007
Visit the new Web site of Association of Reform Zionists of America!
Visit the new Web site of Union for Reform Judaism Camp George!
How Can You Help the Darfur Refugees?
Here’s another way you can help the refugees in the Darfur region of Sudan: just $25 provides one family with two solar cookers, two pots, and training for the women, which greatly reduces the need to collect firewood and the danger of attack. Jewish World Watch - a coalition of synagogues in Southern California - is working with Solar Cookers International to purchase and provide them. For information about how you can contribute to this project, see JWW?s information page. The Save Darfur Coalition also has an action packet for Human Rights Day, December 10, 2006. More resources on the crisis:
To Honor and Respect: Addressing the Longevity Revolution
One-fifth of the North American Jewish population is over the age of 65. These individuals are members of the longest-living, healthiest, most educated, mobile and spiritually-engaged generation of older people ever to have lived. And the baby boomers are quickly joining this group. To address this new set of challenges to our community the Department of Jewish Family Concerns has created Sacred Aging,a six-part congregational program to meet the needs of our changing community.
Spring 2007 issue of Reform Judaism Magazine now online

February 2007

Celebrating Purim
- Purim Resources
- Purim Spiels (search for summary 1891)
- The Jewish Parent Page
- Social Action Guide for Purim
Sacred Choices: Adolescent Relationships and Sexual Ethics is a comprehensive curriculum designed for congregations and camps to use to teach sexual ethics to teens.
Economist Jared Bernstein on the Minimum Wage Increase
Apply for the 2007 Had'rachah Seminar for Lay Leadership in Religious Life
Save the date! Symposium on Gender and Jewish Education 12/10 - 12/12
Reform Jewish Leader Praises Creation of Human Trafficking Unit in Justice Department
Reform Jewish Leader Welcomes Senate Passage of Minimum Wage Increase
Reform Jewish Leader Commends Choice of Ghanian Leader To Head AU

January 2007