The URJ and Israel

What we believe, what we do, what we envision for Israel's future... and how you can help.

Longstanding URJ Positions on Israel and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

The URJ is committed to a Jewish, democratic state of Israel, flourishing in peace and security.  

One of the URJ’s six core values, which are the moral and ethical imperatives that undergird everything we do, is Israel and Jewish Peoplehood. We believe that Kol yisrael arevim zeh ba’zeh (Shevuot 39a), “All of Israel and the Jewish people are responsible, one for the other.” We are committed to the safety and vitality of the Jewish people and to a secure and just state of Israel as a home – for all Jews and for all its inhabitants. 

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People holding signs at a protest in Israel supporting democracy

Programs

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students joyously jumping in the air during a NFTY in Israel trip

Yallah! Israel

Yallah! Israel is the URJ's network of Israel travel programs for teens. Participants hike, climb, discover, and explore with new friends from across the continent, and return home with endless personal accomplishments and meaningful memories.

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Heller High students celebrate havdallah in Israel

URJ Heller High

URJ Heller High is an accredited semester-long program for Reform Jewish high school students in grades 10 to 12. It offers an unparalleled opportunity to be immersed in the richness of the land, culture, people, and history of Israel, all while earning high school and college credit.

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4HQ curriculum illustration with the questions To Be, People, Free, In Our Land

URJ 4HQ Curriculum

All Reform Movement congregations and institutions are eligible to receive this 10-part Israel educational curriculum based on the framework of four questions inspired by the national anthem, Hatikvah, that addresses all of Israel’s complexities in a safe and thorough way, focusing on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and religious pluralism in Israel.

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People marching at a protest in Israel

Just Zionism

The Just Zionism Initiative is a new URJ Israel initiative to build a community of activists around Israel as a Jewish and democratic state emphasizing that social justice, equality, and pluralism are at the heart of our approach to Zionism. This initiative is geared towards Reform Jews in their 20s and 30s to develop leadership, change the narrative around Israel and social justice, and build on our values to be successful in the 2025 World Zionist Congress elections.

What's New

Israel: A Toolkit

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.

ARZA

ARZA strengthens and enriches the Jewish identity of Reform Jews in the United States by ensuring that a connection with Eretz Yisrael is a fundamental part of that identity.

ARZA Canada

ARZA Canada reaches out to all Reform Jews in Canada to help foster a better understanding of Israel and to support the Reform Movement in Israel.

Reimagining Jewish Travel

is proud to partner with the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ). You can now embark on a Reform Jewish Journey with J² while supporting Reform institutions in Israel and strengthening our Israel connections in North America. Enjoy the benefits of a travel company that is passionate about Jewish journeys, shares your values, and provides you the opportunity to engage and interact with Reform Jews and like-minded travelers in Israel and all around the world.

J² is a leading luxury travel brand that crafts Jewish educational and experiential journeys to Israel and around the world. On a J² journey, you will explore new places with expert educators by your side every step of the way.

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