Blog Filtered | Union for Reform Judaism

Three panel cartoon of a moderator asking a crowd Who wants change with all hands up and then who wants TO change with all hands down and then Who wants to lead change with the room suddenly emptied out

Reflecting on COVID-19: A New Tool to Support Change in your Congregation

Amy Asin

October 20, 2020

The URJ Covid-19 Reflection Tool is available now. It gives your leadership team an opportunity to go through a multi-step process on your own or, if you choose, with a URJ facilitator.

Silver Star of David against a blurred greyish background

Strengthening Congregations

Congregational Leadership in a Time of a Shifting Paradigm

Rabbi Fred Guttman

October 7, 2020

Jewish tradition teaches that if we return to God halfway, God will meet us in the middle – and I believe this is how we are currently being summoned as congregational leaders.

Outdoor worship services happening against a very lush evergreen setting

Strengthening Congregations

The Why of Worship: It’s Not About Size or Platform if You Create Worship Models That Provide Meaning

Cantor Rosalie Will

September 24, 2020

Congregants – our partners in this sacred work – want to be in conversation with their congregational leadership. In this isolating time, they want to feel seen and directly involved in their spiritual practice.

Aerial view of people standing spaced apart with line connecting them as if to represent connectivity despite distance

Strengthening Congregations

Examining New COVID-19 Data from Reform Congregations: Engagement is Up, Finances are Challenged

Amy Asin

Maxie Kalish

September 15, 2020

Ninety-three percent of respondents from Reform synagogue members would recommend their synagogue to a friend - even during the COVID-19 pandemic, while synagogue programming isn't physically happening in the building.

Teen girl blowing a shofar while a group looks on in front of a large outdoor structure as if at summer camp

Rosh HaShanah

Sound the Shofar: Announcing Summer 2021 Plans for URJ Camp & Israel Programs

Ruben Arquilevich

September 8, 2020

This summer was unlike any in our lifetime. While we’re incredibly thankful that Jewish youth were able to experience camp from home, we're thrilled to announce plans for in-person programming in summer 2021.

Four teens wearing Judaica and posing with their arms around one another

NFTY

Announcing NFTYx: A Space for Teens to Create

Fletcher Block

Michelle Shapiro Abraham, MAJE, RJE

August 18, 2020

For NFTY teen leaders and staff, this summer has been all about brainstorming, strategizing, and planning for the future of NFTY. We are thrilled to announce the launch of NFTYx, a space where teens can turn their ideas into experiences for others.

COVID-19

What We’ve Learned about Congregations and Movements During the Pandemic

Amy Asin

July 20, 2020

We’ve been supporting congregations in ways that are both practical and aspirational, driven by their desire to respond to this moment and also to use it as a jumping-off point for deeper change.

A smiling couple and their young son waving happily at a computer screen while sitting together on a couch inside a home

Journal of Youth Engagement

New Paths Toward a Very Jewish Summer: Announcing RJ on the Go and Other Digital Programming

June 16, 2020

While nothing can replace the feeling of being together in person, the URJ is pleased to introduce several exciting opportunities to connect families to Jewish life in a new way this summer – to all those who seek Jewish meaning, purpose, and joy in their homes.

COVID-19

Lamenting and Mourning the 100k Americans Who Have Died of COVID-19

Reform Movement Leadership

May 26, 2020

As faith leaders we must help to lead our congregations, communities, and country in this time of grief and lament in a way that will lead us forward more united as a country to address the very real challenges we face ahead. And that we must do together.

Back of a mans head wearing a rainbow kippah in front of a blue curtain background

COVID-19

How Your Congregation Can Celebrate Pride Month During COVID-19

C.E. Harrison

May 19, 2020

With no large gatherings or festive parades through the streets, how do we celebrate? It’s important to remember that LGBTQIA+ Pride itself is not something that can be cancelled, and there are many ways your congregation can safely celebrate and honor LGBTQIA+ Jews and our families.

Related Blog Posts on COVID-19