Blog

Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim (KKBE) is celebrating its 275th anniversary in 2024. Established in Charleston, South Carolina in 1749, KKBE's synagogue is the second oldest synagogue building in the United States and the oldest in continuous use.

To continue to meet the needs for clergy coverage for our smaller congregations, the URJ, CCAR, and ACC, in consultation with HUC-JIR, have created the Small Congregation Clergy Collaborative.

Over the past 150 years, the impact of our youth has been nothing short of remarkable. As we reflect on the past, we can't help but take pride in the transformative influence of programs like URJ camps, NFTY, Heller High School in Israel, Yallah! Israel powered by NFTY, and L'Taken Social Justice Seminars.

In December 2023, nearly 1,000 leaders gathered in Washington, D.C. to honor the URJ's 150 th anniversary, reflect on our Movement's inspiring history in North America, and recommit to our mission.

Rabbi Rick Jacobs delivers his Shabbat sermon at the URJ's 150th anniversary gathering.

Like you, I’m more than a little curious about the vision that launched the URJ 150 years ago and what will inspire us for the journey ahead.

This past Sunday, our Movement laid to rest one of our most brilliant and beloved teachers. Tonight, with full hearts, we remember Rabbi David Ellenson, z”l. 

At the URJ, we aim to provide you with timely tools you can use in your congregations and communities. In this moment, we know that resources for discussing and understanding Israel are more important than ever.

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.