WUPJ News
Calling all Ex-Pat South Africans! Vote Reform Today in the WZC Elections!
An appeal from Reeva Forman, Honorary Fellow WZO. “It is our duty as part of the Jewish Diaspora to do all in our power to ensure the democratic governace of Israel is not threatened. That ALL its citizens are treated equally according to the law.”
Vote Reform in the World Zionist Congress Elections
The World Zionist Congress Election is here, and we need every single Reform Jew to vote for the Reform slate! Voting is open now until March 11, 2020. Watch the video with Rabbi David Saperstein, President of the World Union, for more information and to know how to vote.
[ROME] Rabbi David Saperstein Visits Italian Federation for Progressive Judaism (FIEP)
The President of the World Union met in Rome representatives of the Italian Federation for Progressive Judaism (FIEP) and of Beth Hillel, the progressive community in the city. This was the second official visit of the World Union to Italy in the last two years.
[ARGENTINA] 5th Kinus of the Ibero-American Institute for Reform Rabbinical Education
The fifth rabbinic student meeting of Institute took place at Mishkan, in Buenos Aires, with the presence of Rabbi Sergio Bergman and leaders of Reform communities in Argentina. The kinus brought 12 students together in an environment of study, learning, and growth under the direction of its Dean, Rabbi Damian Karo.
Calling Our Friends Around the Globe to Help Australia Bushfire Survivors, Firefighters and Wildlife
Record-breaking temperatures and months of severe drought have fuelled a series of massive bushfires across Australia. At least 24 people have died nationwide during this fire season, and nearly half a billion animals have been affected by the fires. Learn how to help.
Rabbi Naamah Kelman and Rabbi Levi Weiman-Kelman Honored with Rabbi Richard G. Hirsch Award
On December 11th, the World Union proudly welcomed more than 300 people to its Gala Dinner in Chicago, part of the URJ Biennial festivities. During the event rabbis were honored with the first Rabbi Richard G. Hirsch Award, named for WUPJ Honorary Life President, Rabbi Richard Hirsch, considered a chief architect of WUPJ’s efforts to build and support Progressive Judaism in Israel and around the world.
[NORTH AMERICA] Torah Scroll Rescued from the Holocaust To Be Returned Home To New Czech Republic Congregation
The sacred artifact of Jewish history will be returned home as a symbol of the rebirth of Jewish life in Central Europe. Reform Jewish Movement leaders chanted from this remarkable Torah scroll during Shabbat worship services at the URJ Biennial 2019.
[INDONESIA] Shabbat with the Jewish Community of Jakarta
Rabbi David Kunin, chair of the Council of Australian, New Zealander and Asian Progressive Rabbis, shares his impressions of the first Shabbat he spent with the Jewish Community of Jakarta, Indonesia.
[LATIN AMERICA] First Ordination at the IberoAmerican Institute for Reform Rabbinical Education
The historical rabbinical leaders of the Reform Movement in Latin America constituted in Beit Din (Rabbinical Court) granted the first smichah to a graduate of the IberoAmerican Institute for Reform Rabbinical Education. Mazal Tov, Rabbi Diego Elman!
[BRAZIL] Tikkun Olam Seminar brings together young Reform Jews to help Rio Doce community
The 4th Tikkun Olam Seminar – an initiative of the Union of Reform Judaism in Latin America and Tamar, the young adult movement of Netzer Olami of the World Union – brought together 25 young Brazilian Jews from Porto Alegre, Sao Paulo, Rio and Brasilia and architecture students from Espírito Santo to renovate the community center of the indigenous community of Vila do Areal.