WUPJ News

eida Olami, the global summit of Netzer leadership, took place on January 15 – 20 at Beit Shmuel in Jerusalem. The Veida is convened annually as the governing body of Netzer to share best practices in young adult education, leadership, Israel engagement, as well as provide a global networking opportunity.

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.

December may have been cold, but Netzer FSU hosted 11 children and young adult counselors for a holiday break that warmed their hearts. Camp Three Whales, as it was called, welcomed 11 participants ages 7-13 years old and counselors, ages 14-23, for a multi-day activity framework replete with informal and formal educational activities, recreational outings and Shabbat services.

Over 160 members of The United Jewish Congregation of Hong Kong (UJC) rolled up their sleeves for “hands-on Tikkun Olam” during the “UJC Make a Miracle Mitzvah Day” on December 9. The day began with breakfast at the Hong Kong Jewish Community Centre to awaken spirits with shakshuka and songs. Congregants then ventured out to locations around Hong Kong to volunteer at charities and non-profit organizations.

A lifetime of Jewish connections in one summer! The WUPJ 2018 Youth Camping Report highlights the impact of our international camping movement throughout the world, featuring statistics and locations of summer camps, counselors in key countries around the world!

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Gerard Daniel at the age of 102, on Friday, December 14th. 

Gerry served as President of the WUPJ from 1980-1988. His legacy of leadership and vision blesses us to this very day. He and his wife Ruth were lifelong builders of Reform Judaism, as you can read in the reflection shared by Rabbi Meir Azari here. 

His leadership changed the landscape of Reform Judaism in Israel. During his tenure as World Union President, Gerry partnered with WUPJ Executive Director Rabbi Dick Hirsch to design, fund and construct Beit Shmuel, the World Union’s headquarters in Jerusalem.

Gerard Daniel passed away on December 14, 2018 at the age of 102.

The world will be a different place without Gerry Daniel. Gerry’s personality, energy, wisdom and heart were larger than life. He was a natural story teller with a keen eye for detail and his memory was bar none remarkable. He related to people — so many people from so many walks of life fell in love with Gerry.

During the holiday celebrations of Chanukah, as if inspired by the light brought into our dark, winter evenings, students from the Former Soviet Union who are participating in a MASA leadership program, participated in a meaningful and purposeful evening.

The UPJ Biennial, held in Melbourne, Australia on 15-18 November, hosted more than 220 attendees from around the UPJ region (which covers Australia, New Zealand and Asia), with additional representatives from the UK, Israel and the US.

Twenty-one teens gathered from four Asian cities for the Asia Progressive Judaism (APJ) Teen Shabbaton, held in Hong Kong from 23rd- 25th November. Teens from Progressive communities in Hong Kong, Singapore, Shanghai, and for the first time, Beijing took part.