URJ

The Union for Reform Judaism 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, study kallot and North American and regional biennials.

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