NFTY teens march with Torah on Shabbat (Union for Reform Judaism)

Reform youth convention focuses
its love on Israel, warts and all
By Ben Harris

PHILADELPHIA (JTA) — Americans may love a hero, but will they still love a hero showing all its warts?

The North American Federation of Temple Youth is betting they will.

The 1,200 Reform teenagers who gathered Feb. 19 in downtown Philadelphia for NFTY’s 2007 convention talked about Israel in a way few American Jews do, acknowledging its bewildering complexity and what they see as its frequent failures.

Touching on everything from the Jewish state’s treatment of Reform Jews to Israeli hip-hop, the convention’s hourlong sessions were preceded by a high-tech extravaganza linking the Philadelphia facility with a kibbutz in Israel where several Reform teens are spending the semester. Full Story

Isn’t It NFTY? Teens Tackle Zionism in Philly
The lyrics to "Am Yisrael Chai" grew louder as the song leaders’ folksy guitar strummings became faster, and the voices of more than 1,100 teens from nearly every state in the country — in addition to nations such as Canada, Germany, Mexico and, not surprisingly Israel — filled the ballroom of the Marriott Philadelphia Downtown Hotel. (Jewish Exponent)

Criticism of Israeli Policy v. Anti-Semitism
"To deny Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state is anti-Semitic; to be critical of Israeli policy is not," writes Rabbi David Saperstein, director of the Relious Action Center of Reform Judaims in the Newsweek/Washington Post column "On Faith." (Newsweek/Washington Post)

New Congress, New Momentum for Liberals
The Democratic takeover of Congress did more than just shake up party politics in Washington. It also encouraged some liberal Jewish organizations to flex their political muscle. (j. the jewish news weekly of northern california)

Can you help? Rabbinical student needs bone marrow transplant ASAP
Rabbinical student and Camp Ramah Music Director Joel Shickman was diagnosed with AML, a form of leukemia, at the beginning of February and has been undergoing chemotherapy treatment at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. In addition, he has just learned that he needs a bone marrow transplant as soon as possible. (Jewish Journal)

An Archeologist’s Legacy
A few weeks ago, I was invited by Rabbi Woll to visit him at Temple Avoda in Fair Lawn. We sat in his office and discussed several ideas and plans when I noticed a book on his desk. "Rabbi," I said, "I was not aware that you are interested in biblical archeology." I pointed to the book on the desk: a biography of Nelson Glueck. (New Jersey Jewish Standard)

To Russia with Love for Judaism
The Jewish community appears poised to join a growing movement of city and state legislatures, universities, religious organizations and other groups in calling for a targeted economic boycott of the Sudan. (Cleveland Jewish News)

Reform’s ‘Taste Of Judaism’ Arrives
In 1994, the Union for Reform Judaism initiated a program that has become a roaring success. The goal was to give people a "taste" of Judaism, according to Kathy Kahn, national director of outreach and membership for the union, who originated the program. (Jewish Times)

The Purim Parent Page
With the wacky and silly holiday of Purim only one week away, Jewish parents around the globe are planning Purim festivities for their families. Visit the Jewish Parent Page for wonderful ideas to enrich your family’s celebration. Throw a Purim Ball for children, learn to recite the blessings over the holiday food or just do something crazy…it’s Purim! Scroll down to Purim to learn more.

Havdalah at Home, Israeli Style
One Saturday each month, Kehillat Tzur Hadassah, a Jerusalem-area congregation affiliated with the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism, conducts its Havdalah services in members’ homes rather than in the prefabricated structure it usually uses for worship and activities.

Activist/Actor Honored by NFTY
Scott Wolf, of Party of Five, Everwood and The Nine fame, is now also known as Scott Wolf of NFTY Social Action fame. Last Saturday he was presented with the 2007 NFTY Social Action award for his work with the Cheir Foundation, which is dedicated to helping refuges from Darfur and southern Sudan.

And the Youth Shall See Visions of Leadership
Do you know extremely motivated and deeply committed Reform Jewish 10th graders? If so, the Meitav Youth Fellowship for Reform Jewish Leadership may be just the program for them. Under the auspices of the Union, highly engaged youth join with similarly qualified peers from across North America to engage in significant Jewish study and leadership training over a two-year period. Learn more today.

Calling All Writers to the SOFER Jewish Writers’ Workshop
Whether you write fiction or non-fiction, professionally or personally, plan to attend the upcoming SOFER Jewish Writers’ Worship from March 8-11 at Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute in Oconomowoc, WI. Learn from outstanding writers and teachers, sharpen your skills and share your work with others who can support your efforts. Whether you write about Jewish themes or simply are connected to the Jewish thread in your heritage, your writing will benefit from the personal attention.

Kallah-fornia Dreaming on a Winter’s Day
Even though it’s still winter, it’s time to start planning to attend this summer’s kallah in Pomona, CA, a five-day program of intensive study, worship, and celebration with like-minded Reform Jews. Sign up today and start packing your bags for some great Jewish learning.

God: Near or Far?
This week Rabbi Rifat Sonsino explores the difficult question of God’s existence. Where does God exist? How? In our weekly parashah we learn that divine revelation will take place "from between the two cherubim." But, what does that really mean? Learn more today by downloading the MP3 or reading the d’var Torah online.

For more information, see Union for Reform Judaism http://www.urj.org.

Groups oppose Bush agenda
With an adversarial Congress wielding its power for the first time since President Bush’s ascension to power, Jewish groups are positioning themselves against Bush administration policies — from Iraq and Mideast peace to gay rights and tax cuts. Full Story

There’s no place like home, Israel says
In the early decades of the Jewish state, Israelis abandoning the homeland were scorned as weaklings and traitors. But the government for some time has been wooing the growing number of citizens abroad. Full Story

A YouTube Purim for troops
A New Jersey synagogue has seized upon the popular YouTube to send the Purim message to far-flung U.S. Jewish troops and raise funds for gift packages. Full Story

Hamlet hits home for Israelis
In Israeli theater’s version of "Hamlet," the audience and actors are acutely aware of how relevant the centuries-old tale of corruption and tragedy feels at a time of deep national malaise due to government scandals and questions about how the Lebanon war was handled. Full Story

Is closure of Diaspora Affairs office a snub?
Some say the closure of the Diaspora Affairs office shows that Israeli leaders aren’t attuned to the concerns of Jews abroad. But others note that with the government beset by scandal and Iran’s advancing nuclear program, Diaspora affairs naturally take a lower priority. Full Story

Differences over U.K. anti-Semitism data
Anti-Semitic incidents either soared in Great Britain last year, dipped a bit or dropped significantly — it depends whom you ask. Full Story