Related Blog Posts on WRJ YES Fund Grantee and Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion

two kids
WRJ YES Fund Grantee

The Leo Baeck Education Center: A WRJ YES Fund Story

October 14, 2022
The children went to typical summer camp activities like movement workshops, clowning, capoeira, ball games, crafts, etc., as well as special events, included a “Joker Day” in the circus, a day of culture through music and food, a day of challenges in Acco Park, a bilingual performance at the Acco Theater, and a movie at Movieland Haifa. Through all of this and more, 99 Arab and Jewish children we able to put down shared roots, create friendships, and build tolerance that will change how Arabs and Jews see and understand one another for generations to come.
Ally with WRJ Leaders
WRJ YES Fund Grantee

From the RAC to Rabbinical School: A WRJ YES Fund Story

Ally Karpel
 July 22, 2022
My relationship with WRJ began with a business card. It was June 2018, and the URJ Board of Trustees was convening in Austin, TX, for their annual Board meeting. As a recent graduate and former student leader at the University of Texas Hillel, I was asked to lead Shabbat morning services for the URJ Board before joining Board members for lunch and a discussion on how to best engage college students in the Reform Movement.
Kids concert with audience and someone playing guitar
WRJ YES Fund Grantee

Wee Jam for Justice: It's Never too Early to Start

Carla Friend
 May 31, 2022
In 2014, I founded Tkiya to create participatory music experiences that meet families where they are - physically, psychologically, and spiritually – and find their unique connection to Jewish culture and community. One thing I’ve always been proud of is Tkiya’s reputation for making Judaism welcoming, accessible, and inclusive. However, it wasn’t until a few years ago that we started to learn how to articulate and incorporate JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) in a more intentional way. This year, we received a grant from WRJ to deepen this work through our Wee Jam for Justice program. The learnings that we’ve had through this experience have had an incredible impact on Tkiya and the communities that we serve in such a short time.
2022 service with Ukrainian refugees in attendance
WRJ YES Fund Grantee

Paying it Forward: A YES Fund Story

Rabbi Igor Zinkov
 April 26, 2022
I became a YES Fund scholarship recipient during my studies at Leo Baeck College (LBC) in London from 2014 to 2019. I am deeply appreciative and endlessly grateful for your ongoing support of young rabbis like me. Your partnership goes far beyond providing financial help – your sacred work puts fundamental Jewish principles into action – the principles of community, learning, and mutual responsibility.
NFTY Photo
WRJ YES Fund Grantee

NFTY Leadership – Rising to the Challenge

Lynne Butner
 December 20, 2021
From the inception of NFTY: The Reform Jewish Youth Movement, Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ) has been helping to support Jewish life for teens in the Reform Movement. From local synagogue youth programs to regional and North American NFTY programming, WRJ’s YES Fund has helped NFTY sustain its efforts and continue to grow.