The Union For Reform Judaism

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The URJ provides vision and leadership to Reform Jews and congregations on spiritual, ethical, social justice and management issues. It provides programmatic support to Reform Jewish congregations and offers opportunities for individual growth and identity that few congregations could provide by themselves, such as camps and Israel programs for youth and young adults, study kallot and North American and regional biennials.
 
What the Union Stands For
 
As the congregational arm of the Reform Movement, the Union for Reform Judaism strives to create and sustain vibrant Jewish congregations wherever Reform Jews live in North America. The synagogue is at the very center of Jewish life, transforming individual members into caring, committed Jews, inspiring them to live Jewish lives. The synagogue is the door through which members encounter a larger entity, K'lal Yisrael, the people of Israel.
 
The Reform Movement is the largest Jewish religious movement in North America, with 1.5 million Reform Jews and more than 900 congregations that are part of the Union for Reform Judaism. Although each congregation is autonomous and very individual in its programs, worship style, and culture, all are characterized by the same core values:

• A God-centered Judaism that combines respect for Jewish law and Jewish tradition with a progressive religious outlook designed to remain relevant and meaningful to contemporary North American Jews.
• A commitment to Torah (lifelong Jewish learning), Avodah (worship of God through prayer and observance), and G’milut Hasadim (the pursuit of justice, peace, and deeds of loving kindness) – expressed in lifelong study of the sacred Jewish texts, creativity and spirituality in worship, and social action fulfilling the vision of the Prophets.
• A commitment to klal Yisrael, the entirety of the Jewish people, with special focus on the people and the state of Israel, and on world Jewry, particularly on the needs of Progressive congregations everywhere.
• A community-focused religion that honors the personal autonomy of the individual and the institutional autonomy of the congregation, within a framework of egalitarianism and inclusiveness.

 
The URJ has partnered with the Daniel Centers and BINA in the Tikkun Olam in Tel Aviv-Jaffa program for young adults. This exciting partnership will give young Jews an opportunity to explore social justice and co-existence issues within a Jewish context in Israel.