VAYIKRa – Calling out vs merely happening | Parashat Vayikra

What book would you use to begin teaching Judaism to a child? According to tradition, it is none other than "Leviticus." This middle book of…

Read More

Strategies for Sisterhood Success: It’s a Small World!

K’lal Yisrael – one Jewish people. It is not surprising that WRJ offers us an opportunity to connect and partner with the World Union for Progressive Judaism (WUPJ). You may think of Argentina or Australia as places where Jews live, but do you also think of China or the Czech Republic? Would you guess that the Progressive Jewish community is experiencing resurgence in Germany, Spain, and Russia? It is WUPJ’s goal to ensure that all Jews have access to a vibrant and personally meaningful Jewish life.

Read More

United Congregation Mikvé Israel-Emanuel (Reconstructionist)

Congregation Mikvé Israel-Emanuel is a Liberal Sephardic Community with a rich history dating back to 1651. It is situated on the cosmopolitan, multi-lingual and multi-cultural island of Curaçao in the Dutch Caribbean. Our Community’s and Synagogue’s historic significance and heritage are well-documented and our Synagogue and Jewish Cultural Historical Museum draw thousands of foreign and […]

Read More

The World Union Responds: Mourning Notre Dame and Sacred Spaces for All

The World Union representing nearly 2 million members across five continents is devastated to see the destruction of the most symbolic building in Christendom.For 850 years the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris has seen the extraordinary development of Christianity throughout Europe and has housed some of the most beautiful works of art that humanity has been inspired to create.

Read More

[PORTUGAL] Rosh Hashanah in Lisbon: A Tale of Discovering Connections and Family

Earlier this year, while I was diarising our summer cruise dates, I realised that we would land in Lisbon the morning before Rosh Hashanah. I knew we had a Progressive/Reform kehillah there – Ohel Jakov – as I had had the pleasure of meeting some of the community members four years earlier; and so I contacted their passionate leader and champion – Adriana de Souza – and arranged for us to join them for dinner and a service on Erev Rosh Hashanah, in their proudly sacred space– a five room apartment (up three flights of stairs, in an old building, hidden away in a suburb of Lisbon), which they had recently reorganised, repainted and refreshed. They had a “synagogue”, library, meeting/dining room, office and kitchen with a small balcony.

Read More

A Message from a Fellow Traveler

Are you aware of the many opportunities that our global Reform Movement provides for all of us?  Because your congregation is part of the larger Reform Community, you belong to the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) here in North America or a similar national organization and to the World Union for Progressive Judaism (WUPJ) connecting Jews around the world.  Our new Find a Community app – currently in app stores for iPhone and Android users – gives you all the information you need to find a Reform Congregation anywhere from Wheeling, West Virginia here in the USA to Warsaw Poland, or even from Buenos Aires to Budapest.

Read More

[Argentina] A Journey Back Home… A New Story to Tell

On May 25, 1908, the Opera House in Buenos Aires, “Teatro Colon,” opened its doors in its current location. This monumental and majestic theater required three different architects and the most refined woods, marble, tile, etc. from Spain, France, and Italy, as well as other countries, for its construction. Luciano Pavarotti would say about the […]

Read More

[St. Thomas] Coming Together in (and for) Reform Communities in the Caribbean

I have just returned from an amazing trip to the Caribbean with the World Union for Progressive Judaism. We visited congregations in San Juan, St. Thomas, Curacao, and Aruba, some of the oldest congregations in the Western hemisphere. We shared our stories, our music, and our prayers with each of these communities. As you know, […]

Read More

Travel with the World Union & Experience Reform Judaism Around the World

Looking to travel this year? And interested in experiencing and exploring Reform and Progressive Judaism around the world? In partnership with Ayelet Tours, the World Union is leading two exciting tours in 2018 – and you’re invited to join! Igniting the Musical Jewish Soul, February 17-24 A seven day Caribbean cruise aboard the Royal Caribbean […]

Read More