The Belonging Collective
In 2025, the URJ launched a six-month cohort of 18 participants to strengthen inter-community connections, empower leaders, and reflect the diversity of Reform Jewish life. Via five virtual and one multi-day, in-person gathering, cohort members deepened connections, contributed to conversations, and formulated Belonging Plans to implement in their communities.
Participants hailed from a wide range of professional backgrounds and various intersectional identities. Some of the Belonging Plans included transforming synagogue culture, designing multi-racial leadership cohorts, expanding cultural and spiritual expression in Jewish spaces, strengthening institutional strategy and accountability, and creating trust-based community spaces.
Pride Programming
The URJ’s Pride programming focused on creating spaces where LGBTQ+ Jews and allies could gather, learn, and connect. These programs created meaningful points of connection and affirmation, exemplifying the Jewish value of shared humanity, b’tzelem elohim.
Queer Torah with Joy Ladin introduced students to reading the Torah through a transgender lens, uplifting and empowering members of the LGBTQ+ community. This beginner-friendly session was held on June 18 and open to everyone who wished to explore the historical intersection of gender, identity, and Judaism.
Pride and Joy Live was a free virtual celebration of LGBTQ+ Jewish life held on June 4. The event honored those with intersecting Jewish and LGBTQ+ identities and spotlighted artists, musicians, storytellers, and drag performers while uplifting the valuable contributions of LGBTQ+ Jews to our communities.
Special Topics in Being a Parent: A Conversation with S. Bear Bergman (June 11) explored the intersection of parenting gender-expansive children and Judaism in a complex world with the author of “Special Topics in Being a Parent: A Queer and Tender Guide to Things I’ve Learned About Parenting, Mostly the Hard Way.” As laws increasingly target those who are trans, non-binary, and gender-expansive, many parents are wondering how they can honor and protect their child. Bergman’s presentation discussed how parents can navigate this reality while celebrating their children.
Ways to Support Trans Kids outlined six clear steps people could take to affirm trans and non-binary youth, providing guidance, language, and tangible ways to help create a more just and loving world for all children. This resource was aimed toward family members, community leaders, and anyone else who wanted to ensure that all young people have communities where they feel they truly belong.
Being an Ally in Challenging Times Webinar (May 15), presented together with Keshet, allowed participants to discuss being effective allies, creating safe spaces, and using Jewish values to guide their allyship.
Trans-Generations: Supporting Grandparents of Trans and Gender-Expansive Youth (April 29) was a virtual event facilitated by experts in Jewish LGBTQ+ mental health and gender identity for Jewish and Jewish-adjacent grandparents. This event provided a space for adults to share their experiences, challenges, and emotions surrounding gender identity and provided them with the tools to help the gender-expansive young people in their lives thrive.
REDI Training and Workshops
Through REDI (Racial Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) workshops and trainings, the URJ equipped more than 2,000 youth leaders, educators, and immersive experience/camp staff across North America with tools to create communities where people from diverse backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences could feel affirmed and fully included in Jewish life. The annual reach of this work extends to 10,000 young people.
World Zionist Congress Campaign
At a critical moment for Jewish life, North American Reform Jews showed up for the World Zionist Congress campaign by voting for a pluralistic, democratic future for Israel. This effort mobilized tens of thousands of voters, ensuring Reform voices help shape Israeli institutions and Jewish life around the world. This representation has already contributed to decisions within the Jewish National Fund-KKL to end funding for programs associated with extremist Hilltop Youth, reflecting the impact of Reform voices in advancing democratic values in Israel.
Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (RAC) State Campaigns
As we face rising polarization, threats to civil rights, and uncertainty about democracy, RAC state campaigns created local pathways for Reform Jews to translate their values into action. Nearly 5,600 people nationwide engaged in efforts to advance religious freedom, immigration justice, voting rights, and climate justice, connecting civic engagement with Jewish identity and communal life.
Spotlights
Consultation on Conscience
The RAC’s flagship gathering convened 400 clergy, lay leaders, and activists in Washington, DC for four days of learning, leadership development, and advocacy. Participants learned how to advance justice at the national, state, and local levels. As North America faces rising antisemitism and threats to democratic norms, the Consultation mobilized Reform Jews as a collective voice for justice.
Public Leadership on Antisemitism, Anti-Democratic Actions, and Threats to Religious Freedom
The URJ joined more than a dozen faith denominations as plaintiffs in a major federal lawsuit, challenging the Trump administration’s rescission of a longstanding sensitive locations policy that limited ICE from immigration enforcement in houses of worship. Our lawsuit is rooted in our commitment to defending our right to fulfill the holy tenets of our faith.
6,308 registrants, 58% first-time participants
Rising to the Challenges: A Virtual Conversation on Democracy with Representative Jamie Raskin (MD-08) responded to North American Jews’ longing to get more involved with social justice when many of our core principles seem to be under attack. Representative Raskin discussed how we can protect justice, equality, freedom, and democracy.
Nearly 1,000 registrants, 24% first-time participants
Jewish Without Apology: Confronting Antisemitism and Reclaiming Judaism was a one-hour interview with Sarah Hurwitz, former White House speechwriter and author of “Here All Along,” that explored how centuries of antisemitism have shaped Jewish identity and what it means to reclaim that identity.
Intro to Judaism
The URJ’s Intro to Judaism online course gives students tools to learn more about Judaism over 20 weekly 90-minute sessions. In 2025, 666 participants across 22 cohorts deepened their connection with Judaism and helped lifelong Jewish learning journeys take root.
Jewish Discovery Hub: Mindfulness sessions, High Holidays 101, storytelling workshops
As part of the URJ’s efforts to broaden our reach and engage more individuals, we launched the Jewish Discovery Hub to serve as a gateway for people to engage with Judaism in ways that speak to them. The free online programs and tools in the Jewish Discovery Hub combine ancient Jewish wisdom with modern applications.
Jewish High Holidays 101 was an online session for people at the beginning of their Jewish journeys and those who were looking to deepen their connection with Judaism. Attendees explored Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. They discussed traditions, shared perspectives, and discovered ways to make the holidays meaningful.
The Weekly Exhale was an exclusive, eight-session opportunity offered to Jewish Discovery Hub registrants. This 20-minute weekly gathering gave 103 participants a space to center themselves and welcome Shabbat with music, reflection, and connection.
Jewish Mindfulness and Meditation was an online gathering facilitated by Rabbi Jason Rosenberg. As an experienced, trained practitioner, Rabbi Rosenberg guided participants through meeting the present moment with intention, enhancing spiritual awareness, and deepening connection to Judaism.
Israel Engagement
Across the Reform Movement, Israel remains a profound source of Jewish identity, connection, and moral responsibility. In 2025, amid moments of profound grief and fragile hope, the URJ helped communities remain connected to Israel and one another. From the return of the hostages taken on October 7th to urgent conversations about the future of Israeli society, our work ensured that connection to Israel remained rooted in Reform values.
Standing with Israel, Promoting Peace
When the remaining hostages were released after more than two years, the URJ offered tools for prayer, reflection, and unity that allowed communities to hold relief and grief at a pivotal moment.
HOLDING HOPE: A REFORM MOVEMENT GATHERING MARKING THE RELEASE OF OUR HOSTAGES
Reform Movement leaders hosted an online gathering of 2,224 North American Reform Jews to mark the historic moment with music, poetry, and prayer.
Marking this Moment: Resources for the Release of the Hostages | Reform Judaism
The URJ’s customizable service materials helped leaders comfort their communities through prayer and reflection.
Protecting Democracy in the US and Israel: A Conversation with Van Jones was held on March 31
Nearly 3,500 people gathered online to hear the renowned journalist and activist discuss how we can protect democracy in North America and the Middle East.
Jews of Color Community Network
The URJ engaged 70 congregational leaders who are Jews of Color, working with them to form a network that helped expand their leadership and influence. The network empowered leaders from diverse backgrounds, brought visibility to underserved identities, and furthered our commitment to creating communities of belonging. The initiative brought together Jews of Color for one-to-one conversations and an in-person gathering as part of the Consultation on Conscience.
