Is your small congregation looking for a way to engage adults in a meaningful observance of Purim? The URJ is partnering with Reform rabbis from small congregations to offer a new opportunity for adult congregants to study the Book of Esther.

The URJ's Introduction to Judaism is an online course for adults interested in exploring Jewish life through a Reform lens. We make every effort to connect students to their local congregations, but if their local congregations do not offer an Intro to Judaism course, these students can sign up for online classes.

Supporting newcomers to Judaism and helping them find belonging is one of Rabbi Marina Yergin's greatest joys in her work at Temple Beth-El in San Antonio, Texas where she has served since 2015. Known affectionately to her students as the "Resource Queen," Rabbi Yergin designed a dynamic Introduction to Judaism program where each spring, students learned "Stepping Stones to Basic Jewish Knowledge" followed in the fall by "Choosing Judaism," a discussion-based class geared specifically for those working to become Jewish.

Three years before the COVID-19 pandemic response sheltered millions of people at home and drove us to do all things virtual, the URJ was crafting online communities of learners as they journeyed together through our 21 sessions of Introduction to Judaism Online.   

The URJ is excited to introduce Learn to Read Hebrew for Adults, a 10-session online course to teach participants to learn the shapes and sounds of the Hebrew alphabet,

Participants are invited to join Rabbi Rebecca Dubowe for this engaging, online course for Deaf adults who wish to gain a deeper understanding of Jewish life through a Reform lens. 

Amidst the urgent pastoral and practical needs of this moment, congregations have committed to the crucial engagement work of Intro to Judaism and A Taste of Judaism®, work that is necessary now more than ever.

As you begin to emerge from the rush of the High Holiday season, start off 5781 by setting an agenda for change in partnership with the URJ. Here are a few ways that you can connect to the URJ.

Americans can and do differ on many policies and candidates – but we should all join together to condemn all support for white supremacists and all efforts to undermine the election.