Oftentimes throughout Jewish history, our ancestors approached this Shabbat as they were coming out of hard times. Many in the Jewish community faced serious challenges this past week, Rabbi Rick Jacobs offers his reflections on this moment.
Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism
@the-rac.bsky.social
The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (RAC) is a hub for Jewish social justice in North America.
We have beat our goal and will be contacting over 18,000 Virginia voters to vote Yes on 1 to protect reproductive freedom for generations to come! Thank you to the hundreds of you who stepped up to order postcards. And we still have postcards you can order: urj.tfaforms.net/1988
The RAC sent a letter to U.S. House members imploring them to vote against the measure to strip Israel of aid even as it acknowledged “genuine concerns about Israel’s conduct.” Read more about it and what @jonahpesner.bsky.social has to say: religionnews.com/2026/07/16/a...
American Jews face a Democratic Party rethinking unconditional Israel support
(RNS) — A growing number of Democrats, and a growing number of American Jews, no longer want the U.S. to issue Israel a blank check.
religionnews.com
Letter to Members of Congress Regarding the Amendment to Eliminate U.S. Aid to Israel: urj.org/press-room/l...
Letter to Members of Congress Regarding the Amendment to Eliminate U.S. Aid to Israel
This harmful amendment would eliminate U.S. aid to Israel, damaging both U.S. interests in the Middle East as well as Israel’s long-term security.
urj.org
Do you want to lead through Every Voice, Every Vote? Sign up to be a Protect Our Vote Team Leader in your congregation, community, or personal network and get exclusive resources to help ensure a vibrant, inclusive, and representative democracy: rac.org/take-action/...
Protect Our Vote Team Leader
Do you want to lead through Every Voice, Every Vote?
brnw.ch
In response to the Supreme Court ruling in Trump v. Barbara upholding birthright citizenship, @jonahpesner.bsky.social, Director of the RAC, released the following statement on behalf of the URJ, Central Conference of American Rabbis, and wider Reform Movement: rac.org/press-room/r...
Reform Jewish Leader Celebrates Supreme Court Decision Upholding Birthright Citizenship
In response to the Supreme Court ruling in Trump v. Barbara upholding birthright citizenship, Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner released the following statement on behalf of the Union for Reform Judaism, Central...
rac.org
In this episode of podcast "Word on the Street Live," Rabbi @jonahpesner.bsky.social joined host Jeremy Ben-Ami as well as Orly Erez Likhovski from the Israel Religious Action Center, to discuss the Reform Movement’s advocacy work in the US and Israel, and how democracy is inseparable from Judaism.
WATCH: Why Democracy Matters to Jews
How Reform Jews in the US and Israel are linked in a shared fight
jstreetdotorg.substack.com
This morning, @jonahpesner.bsky.social joined Reps. Dan Goldman, Mike Lawler, Jared Moskowitz and other Jewish leaders on Capitol Hill for the introduction of the bipartisan Jewish American Security Act.
Urge Congress to Protect the Jewish Community
Jewish Americans are facing an unprecedented rise in antisemitism, particularly since the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel and the ensuing Israel-Hamas war. Congress must take immediate, dir...
votervoice.net
"This morning, Canadians awoke to the news that another Jewish institution had been attacked. Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom in Montreal, a historic Reform synagogue and spiritual home to generations..." 👉🏼 MORE: urj.org/press-room/s...
Statement from Reform Rabbis of Canada and the Reform Jewish Community of Canada on the Firebombing of Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom in Montreal
This morning, Canadians awoke to the news that another Jewish institution had been attacked. Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom in Montreal, a historic Reform synagogue and spiritual home to generations of J...
urj.org
This Summer, more than 570 Israelis will call a URJ camp home — nearly double the number who came in 2024 — across URJ's 14 camps in North America. ejewishphilanthropy.com/urj-to-host-...
URJ to host record 570 Israelis across 14 camps this summer as it ‘doubles down’ on Israel
The goal is 'bringing Israeli and Diaspora peers together in authentic relationships in joyfully Jewish spaces,' URJ's Melissa Frey says
ejewishphilanthropy.com
URJ President, Rabbi Rick Jacobs, joined CBS News New York to discuss the growing tensions outside Gracie Mansion, rising concerns around antisemitism, and the urgent need for civic leaders to protect every community while rejecting hate in all its forms.
"The Jewish tradition did not survive for millennia by abandoning its values when the world became hostile. It survived by embodying them more fiercely." Check out this blog post from the RAC's Rabbi @jonahpesner.bsky.social and ARZA's Rabbi Joshua Weinberg: urj.org/blog/stop-as...
Stop Asking Us to Choose
We do this sacred work because we are both proudly patriotic American Jews and proud Zionists.
urj.org
Israel can survive criticism. But can we survive silencing our moral responsibility in the face of moral inconsistency? Acknowledging that two things can be true at once is a Jewish value, says ARZA Executive Director, Rabbi Josh Weinberg. More from him with JTA News: www.jta.org/2026/05/15/i...
Israel can survive criticism. But can we survive silencing our moral responsibility in the face of moral inconsistency? - Jewish Telegraphic Agency
Acknowledging that two things can be true at once is a Jewish value, writes a rabbi.
jta.org
This morning, Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism and Senior Vice President of the Union for Reform Judaism, joined Interfaith Alliance for a press briefing ahead of the Rededicate 250 event on the National Mall this Sunday.
As part of the URJ’s ongoing commitment to the safety and health of every person in our community, we are pleased to announce that Marlo Goldstein Hode, LL.M., Ph.D., has been retained as the new Ombuds. More: urj.org/blog/introdu...
Introducing the new URJ Ombuds: Marlo Goldstein Hode
As part of the URJ’s ongoing commitment to the safety and health of every person in our community, we are pleased to announce that Marlo Goldstein Hode, LL.M., Ph.D., has been retained as the new Ombu...
urj.org
Last month, a blatantly antisemitic candidate statement was published in California's Official Voter Information Guide for the June 2026 Primary.
RAC-OH leader, Terry Susskind, gave an interview to the Ohio Statehouse News Bureau about her experience voting by mail. Vote-by-mail systems should be able to function as smoothly and efficiently as possible! www.statenews.org/government-p...
Voting rights advocates report problems with new Ohio law on absentee ballots
A new Ohio law requires mail-in ballots be received by county board of elections offices by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day.
statenews.org
From RAC Director, Rabbi @jonahpesner.bsky.social Dov via The Forward: "Reform Judaism helped craft the Voting Rights Act. Its evisceration gives Jews a new mission." Read in full: forward.com/.../voting-r...
On Friday, the 5th Circuit granted Louisiana's request for patients to only receive mifepristone in person. While Justice Alito has temporarily halted this order, WRJ continues to fight for abortion access without barriers, as individuals should decide what care is best for them.
The RAC was on the ground today as a co-sponsor of a Jewish community Day of Action for immigration justice. Our own Rabbi Esther L. Lederman spoke out, demanding a just immigration system that reflects the humanity of all people.
We are deeply dismayed by today's Supreme Court decision weakening voting rights protections for People of Color. Read our statement from RAC Director Rabbi @jonahpesner.bsky.social ky.social and @wrj1913.bsky.social sky.social CEO @lizpghirsch.bsky.social rac.org/press-room/r...
Reform Movement Condemns Supreme Court Decision Undermining Voting Rights
"By narrowing how states can use race when drawing electoral maps, today’s ruling undermines the voting rights of people and communities of Color."
rac.org
We are deeply disturbed by the California Secretary of State’s decision to publish an antisemitic diatribe by a fringe candidate for Governor in the upcoming election. Along with our allies, RAC-CA is conveying our concerns to the Secretary and working to ensure such incidents never happen again.
California Jewish groups decry antisemitic conspiracy theories printed in governor’s race voter guide
One candidate, Don J. Grundmann, accused Israel of assassinating Charlie Kirk, perpetrating 9/11 and planning to “suitcase nuke” the United States
forward.com
The RAC has proudly joined as one of 35+ cosponsors of an upcoming Jewish community Day of Action for immigration justice: 'Jews Demand: ICE OUT' on April 30. Full list of actions: truah.org/events/jews-...
Jews Demand: ICE OUT! – National Day of Action | T'ruah
truah.org
We’re gathering in Philadelphia! With clergy. With organizers. With educators. With leaders. With changemakers. With YOU. 🎟️ Tickets for URJ Biennial are officially on sale. Join us → events.urj.org/event/2026Bi...
From @jonahpesner.bsky.social: "One of Matan’s unique gifts was his unending smile and constant offer to hug; which helped everyone he encountered fall in love with him but also overcome any stigma they might of felt - which in turn created a culture of love even beyond inclusion."
Matan Koch, disability advocate who urged Jewish communities to 'let everyone in,' dies at 44 - Jewish Telegraphic Agency
Koch died after a short battle with stomach cancer.
jta.org
Yesterday, we cosponsored a Multifaith Earth Day Celebration on Capitol Hill. Interfaith advocates joined together to recommit to the sacred work of caring for our planet and urge policymakers to adequately fund natural disaster preparedness to protecting communities amidst a changing climate. 1/2
URJ Statement on the DOJ Indictment of the Southern Poverty Law Center urj.org/press-room/u...
URJ Statement on the DOJ Indictment of the Southern Poverty Law Center
We are watching with concern the Department of Justice’s indictment of the Southern Poverty Law Center.
urj.org
This week, Rabbi Rick Jacobs joined podcasters Mijal and Noam on their show "Wondering Jews." Hear what they have to say about many hot-button issues on Apple Podcasts or Spotify (where you can also WATCH the conversation!) open.spotify.com/episode/4JUG... podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i...
Is Reform Judaism About Modernity Or Tradition? With Rabbi Rick Jacobs
Spotify video
open.spotify.com