Related Blog Posts on Ethics Accountability and Rabbi Rick Jacobs

As our hearts continue to be with our Israeli family and friends, we are praying for their safety and the shelter of peace for all.

As we gather around the Seder table this year, let's defy the divisions of our polarized world and model a different way of being together.

The URJ Ethics Committee, chaired by URJ North American Board members Blair Marks and Dr. Steve Weitz, continues to work with URJ staff to ensure that our environments are safe, equitable, and inclusive for all.

We want to take this opportunity to share with you updates on recent developments related to our ethics accountability commitments.

During SRE Network's 2024 Convening, Rabbi Rick Jacobs, Rabbi Marina Yergin, Rabbi Mary Zamore, and moderators Dr. Alissa Ackerman & Dr. Guila Benchimol, came together for a session called "The Restorative Justice Triad" to shine a spotlight on the deeply transformative work of restorative justice to address harm within Jewish institutional life.

The URJ is deeply committed to living our values – values that were renewed and affirmed in 2022 as part of our strategic direction work. These values guide us as we seek to create a world in which Judaism enables all people to experience peace and wholeness (shalom), justice and equity (tzedek), and belonging and joy (shayachut and simcha).

A central theme of Hanukkah is Jewish sovereignty. To commemorate our independence and express our Jewish pride, we light our hanukkiyot publicly after sundown each night – outside in public spaces, or in a window or doorway at home. Doing so allows others to see the candles shining in the darkness, symbolizing the open expression of our Jewish identity.

As Yom Kippur 5784 approaches, our commitment to making amends and pursuing restorative justice remains resolute. Even as the final shofar blast sounds at the end of Neilah, we will continue to hold ourselves accountable and atone for the harm suffered by victims and survivors. We will never shirk this challenging, morally demanding work.  

The URJ recognizes that transparency must include effective communication with victims/survivors and the greater community, and we want to share our progress as we continue to implement and uphold our commitment to ethics accountability. On the URJ Ethics

The URJ is committed to ensuring that our environments are safe, equitable, and inclusive. As part of our ongoing work to create a culture that prioritizes safety and accountability, we encourage every congregation to craft and adopt a congregational ethics code.