Our commitment to advocating for a just world serves as a reminder that showing up through collective action can drive meaningful change. In 2024, we created resources for and disseminated statements about the URJ’s stance on topics like antisemitism, reproductive rights, immigration, environmental protection, and ensuring the rights of marginalized people everywhere.
Together with the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, the ADL, the AJC, and the National Council of Jewish Women, the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (RAC) advocated for the passage of the Countering Antisemitism Act in Congress. The RAC also supported the bipartisan Pray Safe Act, which would establish a federal clearinghouse to provide faith-based organizations and houses of worship with safety resources.
“This job put together my two passions — social justice and Judaism — to try to make America a country that lives up to the extraordinary ideals it has asserted as its identity and given to the world as a model to strive for.”
With the devastating effects of climate change escalating, social justice under threat, and democratic values being challenged, the URJ worked tirelessly to get out the vote for the 2024 election. We mobilized 12,600 volunteers across the country to reach out to more than 875,000 voters, urging them to make their voices heard at the voting booth.
12,600 Volunteers Encouraged more than 875,000 voters to make their voices heard
As the effects of global climate change have continued to increase in severity and frequency, the URJ North American Board passed a resolution in April to address climate change by calling upon all Reform Movement entities and congregations with financial investments to engage with shareholders and redirect holdings related to fossil fuels and similar industries.
“We have the ability and responsibility to use our dollars to make a positive difference on climate, rather than to continue funding investment in damaging fossil fuels.”
Countless marginalized and endangered people across the U.S. are being threatened in this very moment, which is why our Movement’s RAC state affiliates mobilize Reform Jews to advocate for human rights and champion Reform values in their states. For example, in 2024, our New York RAC affiliate partnered with national and state organizations to enshrine reproductive freedom and expand protection against discrimination in New York’s state constitution.
Guided by our commitment to ensuring that our environments are safe, equitable, and inclusive for all, we continued our ongoing work to create a culture that prioritizes ethics and accountability through training, policy implementation, and accountability measures, including staff training on abuse prevention and ethics codes for congregations. As of 2024, new North American Board (NAB) members are now required to sign a Covenant of Service that includes a commitment to abide by our Ethics Policy. By integrating this commitment into our onboarding process, we are reinforcing a culture of responsibility and integrity across our organization.
Hosted regular healing sessions with restorative justice experts to support victims and survivors of past abuse and misconduct that occurred in our spaces.
All camp staff and individuals interacting directly with campers and staff undergo training on abuse and harassment prevention, with additional staff training on discrimination prevention, inclusion practices, and mental health and wellbeing.
Encouraged every URJ congregation to craft and adopt an ethics code, providing resources including templates and assigning a coach upon request.
Facilitated training of NAB members, camp committee members, and other leaders, providing a deep understanding of our ethics code and its commitments.
