World Union for Progressive Judaism

World Union for Progressive Judaism is a global organization that represents the interests of Progressive Judaism, also known as Reform Judaism or Liberal Judaism. The organization was founded in 1926 by Claude Montefiore, Lily Montagu, and other prominent figures in the Jewish Reform movement, with the goal of promoting Progressive Jewish values and practices worldwide, in collaboration with Hebrew Union College, Central Conference of American Rabbis, and Union for Reform Judaism. The World Union for Progressive Judaism has its roots in the Jewish Enlightenment and the Haskalah movement, which emphasized the importance of Jewish education, social justice, and interfaith dialogue, as promoted by Abraham Geiger, Samson Raphael Hirsch, and Zecharias Frankel.

● History

The history of the World Union for Progressive Judaism is closely tied to the development of Reform Judaism in Europe and North America, with key events such as the Frankfurt Conference and the Pittsburgh Platform. The organization was established in 1926, with the first international conference held in London, attended by prominent figures such as Rabbi Stephen Wise, Rabbi Abba Hillel Silver, and Rabbi Leo Baeck. During World War II, the World Union for Progressive Judaism played a significant role in supporting Jewish refugees and advocating for human rights, in collaboration with the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, and the International Red Cross. In the post-war period, the organization continued to grow and expand, with the establishment of new congregations and institutions in Israel, United States, Canada, and other countries, including the World Union's partnership with Hadassah, B'nai B'rith International, and the Jewish Agency for Israel.

● Organization

The World Union for Progressive Judaism is governed by a board of directors and a president, who is elected by the membership, with notable past presidents including Rabbi Richard Hirsch and Rabbi David Rosen. The organization has a strong partnership with the International Council of Christians and Jews, the World Council of Churches, and other interfaith organizations, such as the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue and the World Jewish Congress. The World Union for Progressive Judaism is also a member of the European Union of Jewish Students and the World Jewish Relief, and has worked closely with Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, and Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis on various initiatives.

● Beliefs and Practices

The World Union for Progressive Judaism is committed to promoting Progressive Jewish values and practices, including egalitarianism, inclusivity, and social justice, as reflected in the Pittsburgh Platform and the Columbus Platform. The organization supports the use of gender-inclusive language in prayer and liturgy, and advocates for the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals and women in Jewish life, in line with the principles of Rabbi Sally Priesand and Rabbi Angela Warnick Buchdahl. The World Union for Progressive Judaism also emphasizes the importance of Jewish education, community service, and interfaith dialogue, as promoted by Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, Rabbi Harold Kushner, and Rabbi David Wolpe.

● Membership and Affiliations

The World Union for Progressive Judaism has a global membership of over 1,200 congregations and institutions, representing more than 1.8 million Jews worldwide, with a strong presence in Israel, United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, and South Africa. The organization is affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism, the Central Conference of American Rabbis, and the Hebrew Union College, and has partnerships with the Jewish Agency for Israel, Hadassah, and B'nai B'rith International. The World Union for Progressive Judaism is also a member of the World Jewish Congress and the European Jewish Congress, and has worked closely with Rabbi Israel Meir Lau, Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau, and Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz on various initiatives.

● Activities and Initiatives

The World Union for Progressive Judaism is involved in a wide range of activities and initiatives, including conferences, seminars, and workshops on topics such as Jewish education, social justice, and interfaith dialogue, often in collaboration with the American Jewish Committee, Anti-Defamation League, and the Simon Wiesenthal Center. The organization also supports the development of new congregations and institutions, and provides resources and services to its member communities, including the World Union's partnership with Hillel International, Chabad, and the Jewish Federations of North America. The World Union for Progressive Judaism has also been involved in various humanitarian and advocacy efforts, including supporting Jewish refugees and advocating for human rights, in collaboration with the International Rescue Committee, UNICEF, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

● Notable Figures

The World Union for Progressive Judaism has been led by many notable figures, including Rabbi Richard Hirsch, Rabbi David Rosen, and Rabbi Uri Regev, who have played a significant role in shaping the organization's vision and mission, often in collaboration with Rabbi Shlomo Riskin, Rabbi Avi Weiss, and Rabbi Marc Angel. Other notable figures associated with the World Union for Progressive Judaism include Rabbi Sally Priesand, Rabbi Angela Warnick Buchdahl, and Rabbi Denise Eger, who have made important contributions to the development of Progressive Judaism and the advancement of social justice and human rights, as reflected in the work of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan, and Rabbi Eugene Borowitz. The World Union for Progressive Judaism has also honored the legacy of Theodor Herzl, Chaim Weizmann, and Golda Meir, and has worked closely with Shimon Peres, Yitzhak Rabin, and Benjamin Netanyahu on various initiatives. Category:Jewish organizations