The 2019 Consultation on Conscience brang together Jewish congregational and communal leaders and built meaningful connections, learning and expanding the skills needed for social change, and deepen the knowledge of critical issues facing the north american communities.
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Ancient Reform Judaism | Parashat Emor
The congregation where I grew up was the oldest congregation in the State of Illinois – yet steeped in 1960’s style social justice activism. I…
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The World Union Responds to Shooting at Synagogue in California: Senseless Acts of Hate Must Stop
The World Union for Progressive Judaism join other groups of good faith in condemning the senseless and murderous shooting in the Chabad Synagogue in Poway California.The world has now seen hundreds of deaths just in recent months, of people at prayer.
Read MoreRemembering Al Vorspan z”l: A Giant of ‘Jewish Social Justice’
The World Union mourns the passing of Al Vorspan, former senior vice president of the of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations (UAHC), now Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) and director emeritus of the Commission on Social Action of Reform Judaism, on Saturday, February 16th, at the age of 95.
Read MoreThe World Union Mourns the Passing of Betty Golomb z”l
January 15, 2019 – It is with deep sadness that the World Union for Progressive Judaism (WUPJ) shares the news of the passing, today, of Betty Golomb, our much-loved visionary leader and philanthropist who helped ensure the future of Progressive Judaism worldwide. Funeral services are scheduled for Wednesday morning, January 16th at Central Synagogue in New York City.
Read MoreOn Struggles, Wholeness and Peace | Parashat Toldot
t is, in fact, quite a powerful image to imagine. The foundations of Israel and its enemy people originating in the same womb, struggling for power, quarreling with one another from their pre-birth days. But the narrative could have been told differently. We, Israel, the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob could have been born by ourselves without quarrel or contention – without having to share ancestry or even a womb. The narrative could have been anything under the sun.
Read More[UPDATE] Global Responses to Pittsburgh: Our Fates are Intertwined
It is with profound sadness that the World Union for Progressive Judaism reaches out to the Jewish community of Pittsburgh to send its condolences. We stand with you. We share your pain and shock. Please find resources from across our regions and way you can stand in solidarity against anti-Semitism.
Read MoreIn Memory of Rabbi Aaron David Panken z”l
We are a proud, strong and supportive global Jewish family. On May 5, 2018, a leading and much loved member of our family – our beloved teacher, mentor, friend, visionary inspiration and partner, Rabbi Aaron D. Panken, died tragically and prematurely in a plane crash. Rabbi Panken has served as the President of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute […]
Read MoreParashat Acharei Mot-K’doshim 5778
Virtually, the entire book of Leviticus imagines God speaking to Moses. It is all instruction and no action. One significant departure into narrative is a striking little tale begun in Chapters 9 and 10, the ordination of Aaron and his four sons as priests (kohanim) for the people Israel, and the disastrous action of two of the sons that lead to their fiery death. The story concludes six chapters later, with the Torah portion, Acharei Mot. Depicted here—almost hidden among the thicket of priestly laws and regulations—is one of the most dramatic scenes in Torah: the first Day of Atonement.
Read More[Israel] Making Their Voice Heard, Dayenu: Reform Young Leadership Takes a Stand
The March 24 March for Our Lives coincided with the annual international Netzer Leaders Assemby (Veida), sponsored by ARZENU, KKL and WZO, where teen delegates from over 14 countries gathered to discuss the future of the Progressive Youth Movement. This year’s conference focused on Tikkun olam: As Reform Jews, does it require action or is […]
Read MoreParashat Vayikra and Shabbat HaChodesh
This Shabbat has a special name. It is called Shabbat Ha-Chodesh, the Sabbath of The Month, the month being Nissan when we will celebrate the beginning of Jewish history, as we participate in the celebration of Passover, two weeks from now. According to Tractate Rosh Hashanah of the Mishna Rosh Chodesh Nisan is one of […]
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