Read @lizpghirsch.bsky.social‘s reflection about the current situation in Gaza and our continued calls for an end to this war featured in eJewish Philanthropy: ejewishphilanthropy.com/all-of-israe...

“One of the most penetrating questions of the Bible is expressed in the cry, ‘Am I my brother’s keeper?’ Judaism answers to all men and women with an unequivocal affirmative. Yes, we are responsible for others, for men, women, and children.”

Time and again, Women of Reform Judaism has spoken out against starvation, famine, and war. Our Jewish values are clear:

Echoing our stance since the earliest days following October 7, WRJ unequivocally states that sexual and gender-based violence must never be a tactic of war. Just like the Torah’s Dinah, many victims and survivors cannot or can no longer speak out following their abuse: tinyurl.com/98n7e7k6

WRJ and @the-rac.bsky.social strongly condemn the decision to block Medicaid recipients from accessing Planned Parenthood. Denying over one million people access to necessary medical services strips them of their fundamental right to bodily autonomy and human dignity. wrj.org/press-room/r...

As we enter Shabbat, we stand firmly with our friends, family, congregations, and communities in Israel. We also pray for the soldiers, civilians, hostages, and all people, around the world, who wish only to live in wholeness, safety, shelter, and peace.

Helpful analysis for those looking to understand this moment and what comes next for Israel, Iran, the Middle East & the hostages from Amir Tibon of @haaretzcom.bsky.social

Miscarriages affect 1 in 5 women. Since the overturn of Roe, we have seen more cases of miscarriage becoming criminal offenses. No patient deserves to be criminalized for having a pregnancy complication. WRJ continues to fight for bodily autonomy for all. www.cnn.com/2025/06/06/h...

Vote Reform received the most votes in the 2025 US #WorldZionistCongress elections--the most EVER received by a slate in WZC history. Especially in this vulnerable time, we'll use this to keep pushing for releasing the hostages and maintaining the security of Israel as a Jewish & democratic State.

Unclear definitions of “life-threatening,” versus “potentially life-threatening,” or simply “harmful to health” only causes further risk to pregnant patients. This decision to revoke guidance clarifying federal law is a direct affront to reproductive health & bodily autonomy for all.

Hearing about an attack in #Boulder #Colorado at a weekly gathering in support of hostage families, for those who demand, for over 600 days, to bring them all home! As we begin the festival of Shavuot, a holy day when we imagine everyone standing together, we stand with the hostages and the victims.

600 Days. 100 days ago, I was in Israel for the 500th day since October 7, 2023. We demand that the hostages come home - all of them, now! We demand an end to violence and war and suffering for all Israelis and Palestinians. We demand justice, equity, pluralism, security, and peace.

We've created a form to gather messages of condolence for the families of Sarah & Yaron. You can add your note here: urj.tfaforms.net/1768

Women of Reform Judaism mourns the lives of Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky, two young Israeli Embassy diplomats fatally shot last night at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. They were attending an event focused on Israeli Palestinian cooperation to bring humanitarian aid to Gaza.

״אף אחד לא מלמד אותנו מה היא ציונות״ “No one will teach us what Zionism is and what Zionism is not.” —MK Gilad Kariv This is our Zionism: a Jewish democracy that speaks up for justice & security, for pluralism & feminism, for the return of our hostages, for the future of the State of Israel.

Waking up to yet another attack on reproductive freedom. This bomb was a direct affront to IVF and other reproductive services. I am grateful that the clinic in the area was not damaged, and it only reinforces our fight for bodily autonomy for all. @wrj1913.bsky.social @the-rac.bsky.social

It’s simple: National legislation is the best way to ensure abortion access for all. We urge Congress to introduce the Women’s Health Protection Act today.

"Now more than ever, we must spread tolerance and understanding, not division and hatred."

"I had the honor of joining Rabbi Chen Ben-Or Tsfoni at her congregation in Ra'anana earlier this year. My heart goes out to those injured in the attacks, including our close partners at the Israeli Religious Action Center as well."

"Instead of peace, participants were attacked with rocks, fireworks, and racially charged slurs. These physical attacks and statements such as “Too bad Hamas didn’t take you,” are not only reprehensible, they also belittle the reality of the 59 hostages still in captivity."

"The event that the protestors bombarded was organized by two groups seeking to bring together Israelis and Palestinians who reject violence and advocate for peace, including a group of bereaved family members from both societies."

WRJ CEO @lizpghirsch.bsky.social shares, "Yesterday evening, as Israel concluded its commemoration of honoring its fallen, Beit Samueli synagogue, which houses a Reform congregation in the city of Ra'anana, was attacked by far-right extremists."

We were honored to spend Monday on Capitol Hill with Reform Movement leaders as part of @wrj1913.bsky.social's Rabbi Marla J. Feldman Social Justice Conference. We enjoyed meeting with @slotkin.senate.gov, @friedman.house.gov, and Rep. Don Bacon. @lizpghirsch.bsky.social @jonahpesner.bsky.social

This is a weaponization of antisemitism. This does not make us safer. Let it be known: Reform Jews speak up for democracy, immigrants, & due process.

Women make only 84 cents for every dollar a man makes with the wage gap being even greater for Women of Color, LGBTQ+ women, and disabled women. Eliminating the gender pay gap is essential for promoting economic and social mobility and advancing equity and inclusion. #EqualPayDay

Education is a central Jewish value. As we approach Passover, we prepare to sit around our seder tables and fulfill the mission of the haggadah: “and you shall tell your child (Exodus 13:8)” - we continue to teach and educate the next generation.

In response to President Trump’s executive order to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education, @lizpghirsch.bsky.social, CEO of Women of Reform Judaism, released the following statement strongly condemning this misuse of presidential authority to subvert the education system in this country:

WRJ's podcast, Just For This, is back for Season 3! 🎙️ Each week, @lizpghirsch.bsky.social interviews women in leadership about women and leadership. Our first guest of the season is CNN correspondent Dana Bash. Listen to our first episode NOW at justforthispodcast.com/dana-bash-a-...

Check out this "Just For This" episode, where Rabbi @lizpghirsch.bsky.social '15 interviews CNN’s @dana-bash.bsky.social about leadership, journalism, & their shared Reform Jewish upbringing. Plus, a special shoutout to Hebrew Union College from Bash, whose mother, Frances Schwartz '96, is an alum:

"Women of Reform Judaism embraces the extended Lifshitz and Bibas families on the return of Oded, Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir for over 500 days since their violent capture." Read the full statement from our CEO @lizpghirsch.bsky.social: wrj.org/press-room/w...

Bibi is addressing a delegation of American Jewish leaders, where I am representing the Reform Movement. He’s doubling down on Trump’s Gaza proposal. We spoke out when it was announced, we oppose it now. @reformjudaism.bsky.social @reformrabbis.bsky.social

Bibi is standing before leaders of Jewish American organizations advocating for Trump’s dangerous Gaza plan. Jewish Americans know that this plan is wholly at odds with Israeli, Palestinian, & American interests. The very muted reaction from this (generally not liberal) crowd only underscores that.

“What was proposed…will not build that future; it will undermine it…Notably, yesterday’s plan also did not spotlight continuing to the next phase of ceasefire negotiations and freeing the remaining hostages, which must remain central to any conversations regarding the region.”

In honor of my teacher, Rabbi David Ellenson z”l, sharing my recent CCAR journal article: “Borowitz, Durkheim, and Ellenson: Covenantal Theology and Collective Effervescence in Conversation.” I’m asking us all: “What does it mean to be a movement?” @reformrabbis.bsky.social

Reform Jewish leaders oppose Trump’s immigration policies, advocating for compassionate, just policies protecting immigrants and refugees. https://urj.org/press-room/reform-movement-leaders-support-immigrants-and-refugees

“As Americans prepare to gather for Thanksgiving tomorrow, we give thanks that some former hostages might be able to spend the coming Shabbat with their loved ones. May that reality soon come true for the remaining hostages. Ken yehi ratzon – let it be so.” Read the Reform Movement’s statement.

On behalf of Women of Reform Judaism, the women's affiliate of the URJ, I applaud the passage of Issue One in Ohio.

Sickened by the reports coming in from Cornell university. We must call out threats of violence and antisemitism. I have not seen all outlets covering the particularly disturbing threats made against Jewish women. Haaretz has more (content warning: rape/violence)

For as long as we have recorded our stories and history, war has led to the devaluing of women’s lives and an increase in violence against women.

“What can you do now? Support broad-based efforts while looking to organizations with deep relationships that predate this conflict. Help us best listen to our partners and continue to support efforts in doing so.” My op-ed in #ejewishphilanthropy today.

A prayer for the captive women and children as we head into Shabbat.

Following reports of kidnapping, violence against women, and other crimes of war carried out by Hamas fighters during their unprecedented ambush of Israel, I released the following statement on behalf of Women of Reform Judaism [linked and in the comments]

Reform movement leadership issues this statement in response to the devastating situation in Israel. Women of Reform Judaism sends our support to Israel, today and every day. urj.org/press-room/r...

As a proud alum, thrilled to welcome Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion to the Berkshires for a weekend of learning, community, and joy! Join us! https://huc.edu/berkshires/

ואהבת לרעך כמוך Love your neighbor as yourself (Lev. 19:18) Today is Tisha B’Av, a reflective Jewish observance. The story: the Jerusalem Temple was destroyed by baseless hatred, שנאת חינם Today, in my mind, I’m on this bench in Tel Aviv, mourning what’s not yet lost. #tishabav #ahavathinam