Resolution Hono[u]ring Cherished Ties Across the U.S.-Canadian Border

The North American Reform Jewish Movement takes tremendous pride in being home to congregants, members, communities, clergy, and congregations across the United States and Canada. Although some practices may differ between U.S. and Canadian Reform Jews, shared devotion to the tenets of Reform Judaism have bound us to one another for more than a century, irrespective of the side of the border on which we live. More than 30,000 Canadians and 25 congregations are among the more than 2 million congregants and 815 congregations with the URJ. Among the URJ’s 14 summer camps, Ontario’s Camp George welcomes approximately 450 campers each summer. Reform Jewish prayerbooks include prayers for the well-being of both nations and their leaders.

The close relationship between Canadian and American Reform Jews reflects the relationship between Canadians and Americans more broadly. Americans and Canadians are intertwined in areas such as religion, education, recreation, entertainment, and, crucially, through familial ties and friendships.  These ties have benefitted both nations. The United States and Canada share the world's longest international border, running more than 5000 miles and nearly 8000 kilometers from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean. Security cooperation has helped keep both countries safe throughout the decades. Canada is currently the United States’ second largest trading partner and was for many years the largest.

In recent months, President Trump and members of his administration have repeatedly suggested that Canada is or will become a vassal state or fully part of the United States.[1] Comments referring to the Prime Minister as “Governor”[2] and references to Canada as the 51^st state[3] have caused understandable alarm and anger among Canadians.  

Disputes between neighboring nations are common. In the 21^st century, addressing such disputes through diplomacy and negotiation rather than aggression is essential. Allowing divisions to deepen threatens the fabric that has tied the two countries together for over 200 years and further threatens the ability of Reform Jews and people of other faiths to fully practice our faith traditions, including joyful and painful lifecycle events, alongside loved ones who live on both sides of the border.

We aspire to build a world that balances justice and compassion, law and order, with kindness and care. We learn in midrash: “There was a leader who had a collection of delicate glass cups. She said to herself, ‘If I pour hot water into them, they will expand and burst; if I pour cold water into them, they will shatter.’ So, what did she do? She mixed hot water with cold water and poured it into them, and they did not break. So it was with God. When it came time to create the world, God reflected, ‘If I create the world with the attribute of chesed, lovingkindness, alone, there will be disorder and chaos. But if I create the world with din [justice] alone, how could the world endure? It would shatter from the harsh measure of justice.  So, I will create it with both justice and compassion, and it will endure.’” (Genesis Rabbah 12:15, adapted.)

In addition, mutual respect, whether among sovereign nations or within our diverse Reform Jewish communities, is a foundational value in Jewish tradition. As our sages taught, “Who is hono(u)red? One who hono(u)rs others” (Pirkei Avot 4:1). And as Rabbi Akiva proclaimed, “Love your neighbo(u)r as yourself - this is a great principle in the Torah.” (Yevamot 62b).

Therefore, the Union for Reform Judaism resolves to:

• Continue building a strong future for North American Reform Judaism, rooted in shared values and reflective of the diversity of history, experience, and Jewish practice among Canadian and American Reform Jews;
• Oppose any measures, actions, or comments by the U.S. or Canada or their political leaders that disrespect or unduly infringe on the rule of law, national sovereignty and borders;
• Affirm the importance of resolving international disputes through negotiation and diplomacy; and
• Hono[u]r the more than 150 years of allyship and friendship between the U.S and Canada.

[1] https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/07/world/canada/trump-trudeau-canada-51st-state.html
[2] https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-trump-mocks-governor-trudeau-of-great-state-of-canada/
[3] https://apnews.com/article/canada-gulf-america-super-bowl-bret-baier-musk-7e1959c7d430899b01629c800db6f17b