WUPJ News
[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 […]
[Belarus] Solemnity and Solidarity at the March of Remembrance in Grodno
On March 18, more than 200 members of the Jewish communities as well as representatives of Christian congregations, non-governmental organizations, diplomats, schoolchildren, students, foreign visitors and residents of Grodno gathered at “March of Remembrence” in Grodno to honor the memory of Grodno ghetto demolition that happened 75 years ago. The event began with prayer led […]
Opening the Doors to Judaism
In May 2017, Russian-born Rabbi Alona Lisitsa presented ten conversion candidates from Spain and Portugal to the European Beit Din in London. The fi rst female Reform Rabbi in Israel to be appointed to a religious council, Rabbi Lisitsa’s comprehensive conversion course, which includes on-site meetings and counsel, has been attracting individuals interested in Judaism since its launch in May 2014. […]
Reflections on Impact: The Beutel Leadership Seminar in Jerusalem, February 2018
In February, there were 10 intense days of activities, with hands-on classes on the streets of Israel. The 18 participants, representing 13 different countries (Brazil, Australia, Zimbabwe, Belgium, Spain, the United States, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Poland, Canada, England and Germany) also had intense debates about topics proposed by the Beutel Seminar for Jewish Reform […]
[ARGENTINA] Up and Running: Reform Rabbinic Training Program Begins in Latin America
With the impressive number of 19 students from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Spain, the IberoAmerican Institute for Reform Rabbinical Education (IIFRR) began the classes of its first year of operation, after 18 months of intense planning by its founding partners: the World Union for Progressive Judaism, the WUPJ-Latin America, Fundación Judaica, and Centro de […]
[BELARUS] Gomel, Belarus Celebrates Purim – PHOTO GALLERY
This past week, the National Belorussian Jewish School – Atikva in Gomel, Belarus hosted a conference on pedagogy in formal Jewish education. Take a look below to experience the conference first hand and learn how a Jewish day school in Belarus celebrates Purim. The opening ceremony of the conference, featuring a performance by some of […]
[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, […]
[HONG KONG] Welcoming Jews on the Frontiers at the Asian Progressive Jewish Summit
Twenty representatives of six Asian Progressive communities met in Hong Kong in late January for the 2018 Asian Progressive Jewish Summit, and were joined by World Union leaders Carole Sterling, Chair, and Rabbi Daniel H. Freelander, President. Delegates from Shanghai, Singapore, Myanmar, Bali, Tokyo and Hong Kong were joined by Rabbi Fred Morgan, Regional Rabbi […]
Meet the 2018 Cohort of the Beutel Leadership Seminar
(in alphabetical order) Suzanne Anderson | Great Britain I grew up in North London and now live in Sussex. I got married in 2016 and live with my husband on the South Coast of England by the seaside. I am a Qualified Social Worker and my career has specialised in mental health and criminal justice. My role current […]
[POLAND] Statement by Beit Polska and the European Union for Progressive Judaism (EUPJ) Relating to the Polish Holocaust Law
Beit Polska – The Union of Polish Progressive Jewish Communities in Poland and the European Union for Progressive Judaism (EUPJ) are concerned about the Amended Act on the Institute of National Remembrance – Commission for Prosecution of Crimes against the Polish Nation and some other Acts as passed by Lower House of Poland’s Parliament on […]