The State of Israel and the world’s Jewish Diaspora communities have a relationship built on a common history and shared values. The reality of a ruling coalition in Israel that will include dozens of Knesset members who freely express racist, homophobic and anti-democratic beliefs is frightening and is an anathema to Progressive Judaism. It has […]
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Stepping into one’s power: how Rachel and Leah model female empowerment | Vayetze
While two women, Rachel and Leah, are central to this week’s Torah portion, it is not until the middle of the narrative, once they are…
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[PRAGUE] WUPJ Senior Vice Chair Sonja Guentner receives inaugural Isaac Mayer Wise Award
The Progressive Jewish community of Prague, Ec chajim, has awarded its first-ever Isaac Mayer Wise Award to the Senior Vice Chair of WUPJ and Co-Chair of the European Union for Progressive Judaism. The award recognizes contributions to the development of the Progressive Jewish community of Ec chajim and the Renewal of Reform Judaism in the Czech Republic.
Read MoreWUPJ Connections 2023
World Union distributes Russian language Plaut Chumashim to displaced Ukrainian Jews around the world
For more than 30 years the WUPJ has supported communities in Ukraine, Russia and Belarus by translating many of Judaism’s sacred texts into Russian – texts that were left behind as people had to flee their homes and communities.
Read More[ISRAEL] Beutel and Bergman Seminars bring together participants from ten different countries
This year’s seminars took place in Israel from July 5-14 in line with the theme “Startup Progressive Jewish Leadership: From Vision to Reality”. They gathered day school teachers, rabbis, religious school directors, community leaders, and community directors to learn together, form collaborative relationships and strengthen the bonds of friendship that all Israel is responsible for one another.
Read More[ISRAEL] Family and Friends Gather in Jerusalem for Rabbi Richard (Dick) z’l and Bella z’l Hirsch Memorial Service
Family, friends, and Reform / Progressive movement representatives came together last March 21 in Jerusalem to pay final respects to our adored and esteemed leaders.
Read MoreWorld Union’s Chair receives UPJ President’s Award
Carole Sterling received the award during the WUPJ Executive Board meeting in last December. To date only 13 people have received this recognition, and Carole is only the 2nd person who’s not a UPJ member to have been granted the honor.
Read More[BRAZIL] Latin American Reform Movement Launchs Portuguese Edition of Plaut Chumash
Afet seven years of work, the Portuguese translation of “The Torah – A Modern Commentary”, edited by Rabbi Gunther Plaut and first published in 1981, is now available to all Reform congregations in Brazil.
Read More[STATEMENT] Lobby for Freedom of Religion and Pluralistic Jewish Renewal in Israel
We yearn for the day when religious freedom, equality, and pluralism for all Israeli citizens are recognized by the Israeli government as the fundamental Jewish values that they are.
Read MoreMourning the passing of Rabbi Richard Hirsch Z”L
With heavy hearts, we are writing to share the news of the loss of our honorary life president, mentor, leader, friend, and visionary builder of the world Reform movement, Rabbi Richard (Dick) G. Hirsch Z”L. We embrace his family, his four children, 11 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, and join millions of Reform and Progressive Jews around the world in mourning.
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