RJ Blog

L’hitraot, for Now...

After four years of bringing you a new episode nearly every week, this podcast is taking a little break. Listen to this episode to learn more about our hiatus and where to find us in the meantime.

The Antidote to Kvetching

Most of us today aren’t tasked with wandering through the desert, like the ancient Israelites were... but we still find plenty to kvetch about! What if, instead of focusing on small annoyances, we turned to community-building and togetherness? This episode first aired in May 2018.

URJ Youth

Listening to Our Calling

Listening to Our Calling

D'Var Torah By: Rabbi Karyn D. Kedar

jstern October 10, 2021
The spiritual journey is not a destination but rather it is a manifestation of our life’s purpose. It is now and here that we can listen to the quiet beyond the quiet.

The Window of Noah’s Ark

The Window of Noah’s Ark

D'Var Torah By: Rabbi Karyn D. Kedar

jstern October 4, 2021
We will never know the historicity of this great flood. Other cultures write of devasting floods, most notably the Babylonian narrative of the Epic of Gilgamesh.

On the Other Hand

RAC Response to Offensive Statement from Sunrise Movement

"The failure of the Sunrise movement to speak clearly in condemnation of the offensive statement this week from their Sunrise DC hub that sought to erase the presence of the RAC, NCJW, and JCPA from the fight for voting rights, is shameful. "

Reform Jewish Movement Statement in Support of Filibuster Reform

In response to the Senate filibuster of the motion to proceed to the consideration of the Freedom to Vote Act, Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, director of the Religious Action Center, issued the following statement on behalf of the Union for Reform Judaism and the Central Conference of American Rabbis in support of filibuster reform that achieves a proper balance between majority and minority rights in the Senate.

RJ Blog Social Justice

The 2022 Jews of Color (JOC) JewV’Nation Fellowship Cohort: Apply Now!

The 2022 Jews of Color (JOC) JewV’Nation Fellowship Cohort: Apply Now! urjadmin October 7, 2021

Racial Justice
Jill Housen, Yolanda Savage-Narva, and Tamar Ghidalia
The Union for Reform Judaism’s (URJ) is now accepting applications for the 2022 Jews of Color (JOC) JewV’Nation Fellowship Cohort, the second cohort led exclusively by and for Jews of Color.

Film Review: Golden Voices

Film Review: Golden Voices urjadmin October 4, 2021

Arts and Culture
A scene from the film Golden Voices - VIctor and Raya on a bus
In Evgeny Ruman’s bittersweet new film, Golden Voices, a pair of aging voice actors find their lives in upheaval after immigrating to Israel from the former Soviet Union. Victor and Raya, (Vladimir Friedman and Maria Belkin), are not only in a new land with an altogether new language, but also at a crossroads in both career and marriage.

RJ Blog Jewish Life

Why We Need a “Spiritual Co-conspiratorship” for Justice

Why We Need a “Spiritual Co-conspiratorship” for Justice jstern July 12, 2021

Tishah B'Av
40 days of teshuvah - a story of bringing hewish spiritual practice into the fight for racial justice
During the 2020 uprising for Black lives, Yehudah was the lead organizer of the 40 Days of Teshuvah action that created a space of mourning the destruction of Black communities and crying out to the Heavens for spiritual co-conspiratorship in the fight for racial justice.

Social Justice in My Bones

Social Justice in My Bones

D'Var Torah By: Cantor Evan Kent

jstern June 16, 2021
This week’s parashah deals with all forms of justice: establishment of courts, rules for bearing witness, laws of military engagement, and treatment of captives. Its most quoted line, particularly in the Reform Movement, is Deut. 16:20 - “Tzedek, Tzedek tirdof” (Justice, Justice shall you pursue).

RJ Blog Practice

The URJ Reflection Project: Go Deeper on “The Spiritual”

The URJ Reflection Project: Go Deeper on “The Spiritual” kbkaput August 15, 2021

Elul
Person wearing a purple prayer shawl and holding a prayer book
As part of the URJ Reflection Project, a new set of offerings and experiences for the High Holidays in a time of social distance, we’ve also developed three short essays that allow you to go deeper into the essence of Jewish wisdom that grounds these rituals.

Our Needs Are a Gift of God

Our Needs Are a Gift of God jstern May 26, 2021

Jewish Learning
Dictionary entry for grateful
This prayer from Birkot HaShachar, the traditional morning blessings, reminds us to be grateful when we awake for every day.

RJ Blog Learning

Temporary Structure, Perpetual Joy

Temporary Structure, Perpetual Joy urjadmin October 4, 2021

Sukkot
Cantor Lauren Phillips Fogelman and family in their sukkah
Sukkot is known in Hebrew as Z’man Simchateinu – the time of our joy. It’s

Sukkot Breads in Fall Colors

Sukkot Breads in Fall Colors jstern September 13, 2021

Challah
RJ_feature-pumpkinchallah
Decorate your Sukkot table with Ethiopian, North African, and Sephardi breads full of fall colors and tantalizing spice mixes and broaden our palates to the customs of worldwide Jewish communities. Laden with seasonal honey, pumpkin, or orange, they don’t need braiding, and they make perfect gifts.

RJ Blog Jewish Holidays

Why Israel’s Next Government Gives Me Hope

Why Israel’s Next Government Gives Me Hope jstern June 15, 2021

Israel Peace and Security
israel parilment building
On Sunday, Israel’s Knesset narrowly voted in Israel’s 36th government with Naftali Bennett as the nation’s 13th prime minister, unseating the incumbant Benjamin Netanyahu.

The Ethical Conundrum of a Jewish and Democratic State

The Ethical Conundrum of a Jewish and Democratic State jstern June 8, 2021

Israel Peace and Security
When the State of Israel was established in 1948, its secular founders envisioned a nation that would be both Jewish and attuned to the values of liberal democracy. They were confident that a country with an overwhelming Jewish majority could maintain a Jewish character and ensure civic equality for all its inhabitants.

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