Reform Movement

In the shadow of October 7: How Yom Kippur has changed for some secular Israelis

The October 7 attack has affected all Israelis somehow. Some have questioned God’s existence. Others have gotten closer to religion, and sought connection to spirituality.

The empty streets in Tel Aviv, on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, and the holiest of Jewish holidays. Israel came to a standstill for 25-hours during the high holiday of Yom Kippur when observant Jews fast and Israelis are prohibited from driving, October 2, 2025.
A damaged window at Kol HaNeshamah synagogue in Jerusalem.

Jerusalem Reform synagogue egged on Rosh Hashanah in second attack in a month

Demonstrators from the group Jewish Voice for Peace hold an emergency Passover Seder outside of ICE headquarters on April 14, 2025 in New York City. The group is calling for freedom for Palestine, the release of Mahmoud Khalil, and to protest President Trump.

Fringe rabbis recruit Jewish clergy to lobby against US military aid to Israel, halt weapons sales

 Re-CHARGING Reform Judaism conference on May 31, 2023

Banning anti-Zionist rabbis is the enlightened and liberal position - opinion


Jewish Diaspora groups blast Ben-Gvir, while others remain silent on election

In the election that just happened in Israel, many Jewish organizations decided to remain silent, while others expressed their concern.

 Itamar Ben-Gvir gestures following the announcement of exit polls in Israel's general election, at his party headquarters in Jerusalem November 1, 2022.

3 things Ben-Gvir will attempt to promote as Israeli minister

So what does Itamar Ben-Gvir, the most colorful and controversial senior Israeli politician, plan to do if he actually joins a Benjamin Netanyahu-led coalition?

 Head of the Otzma Yehudit Party MK Itamar Ben-Gvir speaks to supporters as the results of the Israeli elections are announced, at the party's campaign headquarters in Jerusalem, November 1, 2022.

Prominent rabbi abused power but can still teach - German university

The University of Potsdam's investigation examined allegations that Rabbi Walter Homolka had tolerated “sexually harassing behavior by his life partner…  which were not confirmed.”

Rabbi Walter Homolka

Extreme Religious Zionists willing to dialogue with Reform Jews

“The Reform Jew is my brother, I would vouch for him if needed,” said Rabbi Amichai Eliyahu, a member of the extreme-right Otzma Yehudit Party.

 Ruderman Foundation event at the Anu Museum.

Israel must be open home to all Jews, Lapid tells American Jewish leaders

Lapid on Wednesday afternoon met with representatives of 50 Jewish organizations from all denominations at the office of the United Jewish Appeal in New York.

 Prime Minister Yair Lapid meets with US Jewish community leaders in New York on September 21, 2022

Secular and Reform Israelis more religious than their American counterparts - analysis

If the Israeli branch of the Reform movement won’t recognize patrilineal descent Jews as Jewish, then something substantial needs to happen in order to bridge this gap.

 MEN PRAY at the Western Wall on the eve of Tisha Be’av, earlier this month. ‘The New York Times’ wrote last year that ‘The Western Wall is now used mostly by Jewish worshipers despite its also being important to Muslims.’

US Reform, Conservative rabbis had enough of anti-Zionist rhetoric

DIASPORA AFFAIRS: A rabbinical coalition in the US is countering the growing trend of incoming Reform and Conservative rabbis who feel they need to avoid or criticize Zionism.

 MEMBERS OF the Zionist Rabbinic Coalition at a Washington conference

US Jewish narrative of the Western Wall controversy - opinion

Israel should be weary of embracing an American brand of liberalism that, demographically speaking, is something short of a success story.

 HAREDI PROTESTORS scuffle with police as the Women of the Wall movement holds Rosh Hodesh prayers at the Western Wall, in March.

An Orthodox, Conservative and Reform rabbi spend Shabbat together

For years Orthodox rabbis maintained that working with Conservative and Reform rabbis lends legitimacy to their movements and views of Judaism.

 OFFICES OF the Chief Rabbinate: Issues like conversion, kashrut supervision and civil marriages make cooperation between the different movements surprising, says the writer

Jewish institutions call on Lapid to prevent violence at Western Wall

Heads of Jewish institutions to PM Lapid: "Concrete actions should be taken so that Jews of all streams feel at home at the Kotel."

 HAREDI PROTESTORS scuffle with police as the Women of the Wall movement holds Rosh Hodesh prayers at the Western Wall, in March.