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Learn more about the work of the Rabbinical Assembly, the global association of Conservative/Masorti rabbis, shaping and strengthening Jewish life worldwide through scholarship, leadership, and service since 1901.
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Explore our RA bookstore, articles on Exploring Judaism, teshuvot of the Committee on Jewish Law & Standards (CJLS), our Tzedek Center, holiday guides, and more.
You Shall Strengthen Them: A Rabbinic Letter on the Poor
You Shall Strengthen Them: A Rabbinic Letter on the Poor, was derived from earlier published essays
Purim Song Sheet
This 1-page song sheet, prepared by Yossi Hoffman, contains the text, transliteration, and translation of popular songs for Purim.
Al Ha-nissim
This ready-to-use text, which includes commentary and kavanot, has been excerpted from Or Hadash: A
Lighting the Hanukkah Candles: Blessings & Songs
Text, translation, and transliteration of the blessings and popular songs to accompany the lighting
Tishah B'Av Resources
Most of these resources have been excerpted from Siddur Tisha B'Av PDF, Copyright 2003, The Rabbinical Assembly.
בדיקת חמץ: The Search for Hameitz
This one-page sheet includes text, instructions, and transliteration for the ritual of searching for hameitz and the destruction of hameitz.
RA's Oldest Member to Turn 100
By Arthur Lavinsky, Beth El Congregation of Phoenix
Excerpted from a sermon delivered on December 17, 2011.
Pictured below: Rabbi Louis Barish in uniform.
Rabbi Louis Barish, a long time member of Beth El Congregation and...
Statement on the Negative Atmosphere in Israel
English | עברית
By Mauricio Balter, president of the Masorti Movement
In recent weeks we witnessed radicalization in the name of religion perpetrated by Jews whose actions desecrate God’s name. The religious extremism and...
Statement on the Recent Violent Attacks by Israeli Jewish Extremists
The Rabbinical Assembly reacts with horror at the increasing and wanton violence carried out by extremist Israeli Jews last week. Their attacks on the IDF last Tuesday at an army base in the West Bank, and the torching of a mosque in Jerusalem on...
A Funeral for a Jewish War Veteran
By Dina Shargel, Ritual Director, Temple Israel Center, White Plains, NY
On November 21, my family and I had the sad task of burying my father-in-law, Burton Projansky, of blessed memory. Dan Liben and I co-officiated at the graveside...
Investing in Camp Ramah
By Julie Schonfeld
Camp Ramah registrations are arriving in mailboxes around the country. Mine arrived last week.
In August, on the last day of Camp Ramah Nyack, I attended the annual רקודיה, “Festivale,” as a parent. Perhaps the most...
Hidden Light
By Jonathan Wittenberg (excerpted from his book The Eternal Journey)
Even the darkness is not too dark for Thee,
But the night shines as the day;
The darkness is even as the light.
Ps. 139:11–12
It is held that...
Julie Schonfeld Receives JWI’s 2011 Women to Watch Award
Pictured below:
Julie Schonfeld and Susan Turnbull, JWI Board of Trustees Chair (Photo: Michael Kress)
Washington, DC – Jewish Women International (JWI) honored Rabbi Julie Schonfeld yesterday with its 2011 Women to Watch award. Rabbi...
Seeds of Hope: Couples Struggling with Infertility
By Analia Bortz, Congregation Or Hadash, Atlanta, GA
The Project:Seeds of Hope is a support group for those dealing with infertility and pregnancy loss. The program started as a request from a member of my congregation, Congregation...
Israelis Lost Sight of a Meaningful Jewish Identity in the Diaspora
By Julie Schonfeld
Originally posted in Haaretz
The recent ad campaign by Israel's Absorption Ministry shows how Israelis fall short in trying to articulate a respectful way to relate to Diaspora Jews, because they don’t know...
Grappling With Tradition
By Julie Schonfeld
Originally posted as a letter to the editor in The Forward
With regard to a December 2 Forward article, “Conservatives Grapple With Gay Wedding Rite,” we wish to clarify our position on the draft of a new...