WUPJ News
[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.
The World Union Mourns the Passing of Michael Grabiner Z”L
The World Union for Progressive Judaism mourn with deep sorrow the passing of Michael Grabiner, Chairman of WUPJ from 2011-2015, chair of the UK Movement for Reform Judaism from 2005-2008, member of the Boards of UK Jewish Day Schools and UK Jewish Leadership Council as well as Chair of Governors at JCoSS, the first Jewish pluralist High School in the UK.
[YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS] Netzer Gathers Madrichimot From All Over the Globe for its First Ever Veida Online
Jason Bourne and Rachael Bootcov, Netzer Interim Mazkir and Mazkira share the highlights of the first Veida Online which took place from October 15th to 17th and it was centered around the theme of Redefining Connection.
[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.
[ISRAEL] Israel’s Diaspora Affairs Minister Nachman Shai receives WUPJ President Rabbi Sergio Bergman
Rabbi Bergman met with the Israeli minister to reinforce their mutual commitment to a plural Judaism, and to talk about how their work through technical teams and educational programs can help achieve that goal.
[STATEMENT] Response to the Sept 30th Ruling of the Constitutional Court of Belgium
In response to the ruling allowing for laws, passed in the regions of Flanders and Wallonia, that contain no religious exemptions but that bar the slaughter of animals without prior stunning – stunning that violates ritual slaughtering rules in both Jewish laws of kashrut and (ritual slaughtering) and Muslim laws of halal.
[PRAGUE] The Return of a Czech Torah Scroll
On September 27 the Czech Torah Scroll MST#1052 from the historic collection of the Memorial Scrolls Trust (MST) will be allocated to the Progressive Jewish Community of Prague Ec chajim, whose Rabbi David Maxa will receive it from Jeffrey Ohrenstein, Chairman of the MST, in Vlastenecký sál of Prague’s Karolinum, the seat of Charles University.
[FRANCE] Mourning the Passing of Rabbi Daniel Farhi z”l
Read below a message from Judaisme en Mouvement organization. A builder, a creator. A man who had a sense of the duties that the past imposes but who also lived for the future. Daniel Farhi has left us. Rabbi of the ULIF-Copernicus, then founder of the MJLF, he developed like no other liberal Judaism […]
[GERMANY] First University Synagogue Opens in European Progressive Center for Jewish learning
The European Center of Jewish Scholarship with rabbinical training and synagogue was opened at the German University of Potsdam on Wednesday. It is the first university synagogue in Germany. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier praised the new facility as a “gift for our country.“
Mourning 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.