[SOUTH AFRICA] Sandwiches in the Sukkah in the Heart of Hillbrow

For several months now, in response to the distress of the COVID pandemic in an area already distressed, Beit Emanuel Progressive Shul and Temple Israel Hillbrow have been handing out sandwiches and fruit to those in need in Hillbrow. Every Thursday morning, Rabbi Sa’ar Shaked heads to Hillbrow in the Beit Emanuel shul-mobile, filled with […]

#6for6 Netzer Olami Campaign: Report Hate Speech Online in Honor of Israel Remembrance Day

What if everyone we knew stood up against the spread of hate? This year, in honor of Israel’s Holocaust Remembrance Day (Yom HaShoah) on May 1, we are asking our leaders, congregations, and youth movement members and graduates worldwide – and everyone who stands against the prevalence of hatred and incitement online – to report six incidents of hatred on social media.

[HONG KONG] UJC Members Give Back to the Hong Kong Community on Mitzvah Day

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.

[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 […]

[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, […]

Thoughts and Prayers: What’s In Those “Prayers,” Anyway?

[On February 14th] the town of Parkland, Florida made the news because of a school shooting that left 17 people dead—most of them teenagers. There are now about 5 such shootings each month in America. Since 20 first graders were killed in Newtown, Connecticut in 2012, there have been some 239 school shootings, taking 138 innocent lives, injuring and traumatising countless more. That is, since I’ve been with you here in Sydney, 240 school shootings have taken place in America, and many more at large public venues, like music concerts and night clubs.