We, the young people of the Union for Reform Judaism, would like to address the movement’s efforts against the potential annexation of the West Bank.

First, we would like to thank you for passing and adopting the recent resolution urging Israel not to carry out unilateral annexation. We also deeply appreciate the list of resources that were recently published, the RAC’s action alert, and the recent URJ Youth Town Hall Meeting that has been organized in response to potential annexation. It is reassuring to see the Reform movement acknowledge the dangers of annexation, and we urge you to go beyond these words and create tangible, actionable steps to push back against annexation now and in the long term. Our participation in the URJ Youth programs have ingrained the phrases and teachings of tzedek tzedek tirdof and tikkun olam into our hearts and minds, but pursuing justice and repairing the world cannot be achieved by words alone. Our movement must fully embrace these values and promote action so we can powerfully pursue justice for the Palestinian population in the West Bank.

We are inspired in this moment by the Reform Movement’s tangible pursuit of justice on so many issues central to the creation of a more just, whole, and compassionate world.

We are heartened by the Reform Movements response to the Black Lives Matter movement. Our leaders and institutions have met this moment with tangible, long term commitments with lasting impacts. It is a moral imperative that our leaders react with similar commitments when the Israeli government annexes land in the West Bank. The opportunities for deep, nuanced learning and tangible action on so many other issues has had an immeasurably positive impact on us. However, we worry that what can be said about other justice issues cannot be said about Israel. From our experiences in the Reform Movement, we know that there is so much room for growth in our approach to the Jewish state. As a natural outgrowth of the URJ’s historic and ongoing commitment to justice, the contemporary moral failings of Israel must be treated in the same way Reform Jews are compelled to treat such failings in our North American societies.

If annexation were to occur this would be hugely problematic for a number of reasons. The URJ rightly pointed out in the recent resolution on annexation that annexation would have disastrous consequences for Palestinians. Annexation would formalize two separate systems of law for Palestinians and Jews in the West Bank, leaving millions of Palestinians disenfranchised and without citizenship. Annexation would unjustly isolate Palestinians into autonomous zones. These fractured zones make it impossible to honor the Palestinian’s basic rights for self determination. This would significantly damage the possibility of a future Palestinian state, ruining previous diplomatic relationships and the hope of a Two-State solution. Faced with these abuses, it is impossible for us to stand idly by without a more concrete action plan.

Given this information and the major consequences and injustices that would accompany annexation, we are wondering how you, and the entire URJ, plan on further responding to this crisis. What actions and steps, beyond resolution and resources, will the URJ take to oppose the threat of annexation now and in the long term? And how can we offer our support in these unprecedented times?

We are inspired by the URJ’s historic commitment to justice and driven by our deeply instilled Jewish values. Therefore, we are looking for the Reform Movement to embrace action, not just rhetoric, as the Israeli government moves to annex swaths of the West Bank. The recent resolution urging Israel not to carry out unilateral annexation and the recently published list of resources was a powerful and necessary first step. Yet, it begs the question of what will actually change for the Reform movement when Israel moves forward with annexation? As young Reform Jews, we are deeply concerned that without commitments to tangible action, the opportunity to commit to justice will pass us by.

Annexation forces us to reckon with the reality that grave injustice is being perpetuated in the name of the Jewish people and we cannot stand idly by. Therefore, we ask the URJ to consider committing to the following:

1. The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism should identify and advocate for Federal Government policies which will strengthen the prospects of a just, dignified, secure, and negotiated final status peace agreement. In particular: We must ensure the $3.8 billion dollars in annual blank check military aid to Israel is not used for occupation or annexation. We must provide humanitarian and economic aid to the Palestinian people and restore full diplomatic ties with Palestinian leadership.

2. The URJ should develop a robust Israel education curriculum for youth programs and congregations. Israel resources and programs must ensure opportunities for deep and nuanced learning and exploration of Israeli history, culture, society, and politics aimed at fostering authentic and informed relationships with the land, people and country.

3. Israel and Zionism are rich and complex topics. The URJ should therefore strive to include the full spectrum of voices on these issues. It is imperative that Jewish Israelis, Palestinians, and non-Jewish Israelis are represented in URJ youth and congregation programs.

4. Lastly, the URJ should ensure the accuracy of maps depicting modern day Israel. Maps must reflect the existence of an occupation and depict the modern day complexity of the land by including the green line, separation barrier, Israeli settlements, and Palestinian cities and towns.

We are keenly aware that this is a difficult time for the URJ, and we thank you for the work you have already done to combat annexation. We hope this marks the beginning of many meaningful and long-term conversations, and we look forward to future partnership on this issue.

Signed,

Aaron Soloman, URJ Camp Harlam, Temple Emanu-El: Westfield, NJ

Abigail Merritt, URJ Camp Kalsman camper and staff member 2008–2018

Adam Friedman, NFTY CWR FMVP 2015–2016, NFTY CWR SAVP 2016–2017, NFTY SAVP 2017–2018

Addie Bjornson, URJ Camp Kalsman camper, NFTY NW chapter member

Aileen McDonald, NFTY NE Recording Secretary 2019–2020; URJ Crane Lake Camp staff member and Nachshon Counselor Fellow 2020; Congregation Sha’aray Shalom youth group 2016–2020.

Alea Chedekel, URJ Camp Newman Camper, CIT & Staff 2007–2016, NFTY CWR President 2015–2016 PVP 2014–2015

Alexander Sklarz, URJ Camp Eisner camper 2015–2016; Mitzvah Corps participant 2016–2017; URJ Kutz camp participant and staff member 2017–2018, URJ 6 Points Creative Arts Academy Staff member 2019; Clark University Hillel President 2020

Alex Sher, OSRUI Camper and Staff Member 2009–2013

Alexandra Pachter, URJ Crane Lake Camp camper (2008–2013) & staff member (2014–2016)

Alicia Gallant, URJ Camp Harlam Camper and Staff Member, 2011–2018; Baltimore Hebrew Congregation staff member, 2019-present

Alicia Glassman, NFTY NO MVP 2018–2019; NFTY NO President 2019–2020

Alleana Austin, URJ Camp Newman camper and staff member 2014–2017

Allie Wainer, NFY NAR 2008–2012

Alyssa Berkson, NFTY Northeast SAVP 2014–2015; URJ Kutz Camp camper 2014

Alyssa Diller, URJ Camp Kalsman camper 2006–2015, NFTY NW 2015–2019

Anna Kurzrock, URJ Camp Newman and NFTY CWR Alumni

Anna Rosenfeld, URJ Camp Newman camper and staff member 2006–2016

Anna Sacks, Congregation Rodeph Shalom member

Anna West, URJ Camp Newman camper, NFTY CWR 2014–2015, NFTY SoCal 2015–2017, Congregation Beth Emek

Annie Brodsky, URJ Camp George camper 2004–2010, NFTY in Israel 2011, URJ Camp Kutz 2012, NFTY-NEL PVP 2012–2013

Asha Berkes, University of Puget Sound JSU

Asher Suloway-Baker, NFTY North American CVP 2017–18, Kutz and Kalsman Alum

Avery Sloan, NFTY MAR President 2020–2021

Aviva Kurash, OSRUI Alumnus

Ben Feshbach, alum of Kutz, NFTY-MAR, and Machon Kaplan

Ben Pakman, Temple Emanuel NYC member, former Hebrew Tabernacle NYC member

Ben Yanowitz, Temple Beth El, NFTY CWR 2015–2018, Camp Newman Camper 2010–2016

Benjy Kline, NFTY-MAR RCVP 2018–2019

Bettina Ernst, URJ GUCI 2012–2017, URJ KUTZ 2018, NFTY OV 2016–2020, NFTY OV SAVP 2018–2020, URJ RAC Teen Justice Fellowship 2018, 2019, L’takein 2018, Social Action Leadership Trip 2018–2019, Congregation Isaac M. Wise Temple member

Casey Bachman, NFTY NE MFVP (2016–17), Mitzvah Corps Chicago 2017

Channah Powell, NFTY Northeast Regional Board 2016–2017

Corinne Greenblatt, URJ OSRUI camper and staff member 2010–2017, Congregation Judea Reform (Durham) religious school staff member

Dani Tishkoff Chidester, URJ Camp Newman alum

Daniel Bachman, Congregation member Temple Sinai West Hartford

Daniel Feshbach, Board Member and Co-President of Haverford College Jewish Student Union 2017–2020, NFTY MAR alum

Danielle Roof, NFTY CWR participant & TYG board member 2009–2012; Touro Synagogue New Orleans member

Danny Kaufmann, URJ Camp Newman camper 2015–2019; NFTY CWR participant 2018–2020; Congregation Temple Sinai member

Danya Dubrow-Compaine, Temple Beth Elohim, NFTY NE RCVP 2019–2020

David Loeb, URJ Camp Kalsman camper 2010–2015, NFTY NW Regional President 2015–2016

Deanna Schauben, Camp Coleman camper 2006–2010, Kutz camper 2011–2012, NFTY SAR member 2008–2012, JAFTY RCVP 2010–2012

Deborah Kreithen, Congregation Shalom member

Devorah Levy-Pearlman, URJ Camp Newman camper and staff member 2006–2016, NFTY-CWR SAVP 2014–2015

Devorah Stavisky, URJ Kutz Camp alum and staff member (2012, 2015–2016); NFTY MAR alumna; Director of Youth Engagement at Temple Emanuel of Kensington, MD

Dylan B, URJ Camp Newman camper and Staff 2012–2018, Temple Emanuel member

Eiden Spilker, OSRUI camper and staff member 2006–2015; NFTY EIE Aviv 2013; NFTY NO SAVP 2013–14; NFTY NO RCVP 2014–15; RK/CK

Eli Burg, URJ Camp Newman

Eli Cohen, URJ Camp Newman camper/staff member 2008–2016; NFTY EIE Spring 2014; NFTY Northern Class of 2015

Elias Trout, WeLFTY President 2016–2017

Ella Seaman, URJ Camp Newman Member 2012–2019, NFTY CWR Member 2017–2021, NFTY CWR SAVP 2020–2021

Emelia Witt, Congregation Beth Israel in Portland member, NFTY board member 2016–2017, University of Puget Sound JSU President

Emily Levin-Rosenshine, URJ OSRUI camper, 2019–20 URJ College Service Leading Fellow

Emily Pripas, Member of Shir Tikvah, Teacher at Temple Shalom in Newton

Estlin Coates, URJ Camp Kalsman camper 2010–2018

Eva Ackerman, RYFTI Temple Israel Boston

Evan Drukker-Schardl, URJ Camp Newman camper, 2008–2013; Congregation Beth Shalom (Sacramento) Madrich, 2011–2012; Congregation Beth Shalom (Sacramento) Board Member, 2013–2015

Eve Lyons, Attended Kutz Camp 1989–1990, NFTY Texas-Oklahoma member

Francesca Rubinson, congregation member, former student and assistant teacher at Hebrew Tabernacle in New York City

Gabe Perluss, URJ Camp Newman camper; NFTY SOCAL PVP 2017–2018

Gillian Applegate, GUCI camper 2003–2010, NFTY OV 2007–2013, NFTY EIE 2010, Congregation Beth Shalom

Haley Breskin, URJ Kutz Camp Alumni and Staff 2009–2019, NFTY-MAR PVP 2011–2012, URJ Urban Mitzvah Corp 2011, Director of Youth Engagement at Congregation Beth Elohim of Brooklyn, NY

Hallie Berkson-Gold, URJ Eisner Camp 2006–2011 & NFTY in Israel 2008

Hannah Cohen, URJ OSRUI camper and staff member 2007–2015; NFTY in Israel staff member 2017–2018; Chicago Sinai Congregation staff member 2018–2020

Hannah Fajer, Temple B’Nai Chaim member, Johns Hopkins Hillel Reform Student Leader

Hannah Teller, URJ Camp Harlam camper and staff member

Harris Wohl, Temple Judea member 2003-present, former Harlam camper

Hayley Sakwa, URJ Camp George camper and staff 2002–2011, NFTY MI SAVP 2009–2010

Holden Arquilevich, URJ Camp Newman camper and staff member 2006–2019

Ilana Symons, NFTY Alum, HUC student

Isabel Silverston, URJ Camp Eisner camper and staff member 2007–2016, NFTY NE LVP 2014–2015, member of Temple Beth Elohim in Wellesley, MA

Isabella Merritt, NFTY NW SAVP 2012–2013, URJ Camp Kalsman

Izzy Cotenoff, URJ Camp Harlam camper and staff member 2010–2019, Temple Sharey Teflio Israel congregation member, Congregation Bet Haverim Staff Member, NFTY GER Central Recruitment Vice President 2017–2018

Jackson Mercer, former Camp Newman And NFTY CWR Staff

Jacob Friedman, URJ Crane Lake Camp camper and staff member 2008–2017

Jacob Hershenhouse, NFTY CAR President 2017–2018.

Jacob Kraus-Preminger, URJ Goldman Union Camp Institute camper and staff member 2005–2015, RAC/URJ Staff 2015–2018

Jacob Price, NFTY-OV President 2013–2014

Jacob Tyler Marder, Congregation Rodeph Shalom; Camp Harlam Alum

James R Klau, Crane Lake Camp camper and staff member 2008–2018

Jared Sloan, Kutz camp attendee 2017; NFTY MAR Israel Education Chair 2018–2019; Temple Beth Or, Raleigh

Jason Flatt, URJ Camp Harlam camper and staff 2006–2017, NFTY EIE 2011, Urban Mitzvah Corps 2010, NFTY GER RCVP 2012–2013

Jeff Levine, NFTY NW member 2010–2013, URJ Camp Kalsman alumni, URJ Congregation Beth Israel Bellingham WA

Jeffrey Silverstein, NFTY in Israel Mechanech 2017

Jennifer Sohn, Congregation Shalom member

Jenny Swift, NFTY-SW member 2011–2014, Machon Kaplan participant 2015, Temple Solel member and TYG president, Kutz camper 2013

Joanna Grill, NFTY NE LVP 2016–2017

Jodie Friedman, URJ OSRUI camper and staff member 2007–2015; URJ Kutz Camp alumna 2010–2011; NFTYMI PVP 2010–2012; Hevreh of Southern Berkshire staff member

Jonah Silverstein, NFTY-NW RCVP 2018–19, URJ Camp Kalsman camper and staff 2013–2018

Jonathan Edelman, RAC LA 2014–15, ARZA World Zionist Congress Delegate 2015

Jordan Klein, URJ Camp Newman camper 2010–2018, Congregation Temple Sinai member

Josh Burg, URJ Camp Newman camper and staff member 2005–2020, NFTY CWR alumn, Congregation Rodef Sholom CA

Julia Silverman, NFTY NE TYG president 2016/17

Juliana Matz, URJ Camp Newman camper and staff member, NFTY CWR participant and board member, Temple Isaiah member.

Kai Barshack, URJ Camp Newman Alumni

Kara weiner, Camp Harlam camper and staff 2003-present

Karyn Schy, NFTY-MAR Membership VP 2018–2020

Kaylah Ross, URJ Camp Harlam & NFTY in Israel 2018

Lauren Fleming, URJ Camp Harlam camper and staff member 2010–2017. NFTY PAR member 2013–2016.

Leeza Wong, URJ Camp Newman Camper 2010–2015, NFTY CWR alum 2014–2018, member Congregation B’nai Israel

Leora Greene, URJ Camp Coleman and Kutz Camp Alumnus, NFTY MV SAVP 2017–2018

Levi Gettleman, URJ Camp Newman camper and staff 2010–2020, NFTY NW Israel Chair 2017–2018, 2018–2019, Temple B’nai Israel OKC summer staff member

Lian Lucansky, URJ OSRUI camper and staff member 2005–2013, Congregation Chaim staff member 2012–2014, Touro Synagogue member 2019–2020.

Lily Alexandroff, URJ OSRUI Staff Member 18–19

Lindsay Shuster, URJ Camp Harlam Camper, CIT and Staff Member (2014–2019), Congregation Rodeph Shalom Staff Member

Linnie Ulick, NFTY-MAR RCVP 2020–2021, URJ 6 Points Sports Academy NC camper 2013–2019

Liora Silkes, Camp Kalsman camper 2007–2012, counselor 2015–2016; Urban Mitzvah Corps 2013, Mitzvah Corps Israel 2014; NFTY-NW SAVP 2014–2015

Lizzie Stein, RAC Staff 2016–2020; NFTY-SW SAVP 2011–2012; EIE Spring 2011

LJ, NFTY GER Board Alumni, Kutz Alum, UMC Alum

Lucy Brown, Commission on Social Action, URJ College Leadership Team 2019–2020, NFTY MAR 2012–2016, URJ Kutz Camp 2015–2016

Lucy Goldman, URJ Camp Jacobs camper and staff member 2006–2016, NFTY-SO 2012–2016, NFTY in Israel 2013, Congregation Temple B’nai Israel Member

Macey Goldstein, URJ Camp GUCI camper and staff member 2009–2019; NFTY MV TYG RCVP and PVP 2016–2017; Congregation Shaare Emeth staff member

Maddie Koumelis, URJ Camp Newman camper and staff member 2011–2019 NFTY participant 2014–2018

Maddy Winard, URJ Camp Newman camper and staff member 2004–2017; NFTY EIE 2010 2010; NFTY SoCal RCVP 2010–2011; Congregation Beth Am Director of Teen Engagement 2016–1017

Makena Barshack, URJ Camp Newman camper 2010–2020; NFTY CWR RCVP 2010–2021

Mandy Bach, Camp Newman camper 2010 and counselor 2014; NFTY-CWR CVP 2013–2014; Temple Isaiah youth group board member 2010–2011 and 2012–2013.

Mattan Berner-Kadish, Temple Shalom of Chevy Chase member, Camp Harlam alum 07–16, Mechina in Jaffa 14–15, NFTY in Israel 17–18

Maureen Flaherman, Congregation Sherith Israel (San Francisco) madricha (2010–2014) and member (1996-present)

Max Spivak, NFTY SoCal RCVP 2013–2014, NFTY RCVP 2014–2015

Maya Emerson, NFTY-NE 2014–16, Temple Chayai Shalom Staff Member

Maya Griswold, NFTY-SW alumni, UA Hillel Shabbat Committee chair 2016–2019.

Maya Hamberg, NFTY NE 2013–2017, Temple Isaiah Lexington Ma

Maya Pollack, URJ Camp Newman camper 2005–2013, NFTY CWR alum, Shnat Netzer 2015–2016.

Maya Seckler, NFTY NE alum, Eisner alum (Olim 14) and Eisner counselor, EIE 2015

Megan Wallace, NFTY CWR President 5780–5781

Megan Wells, GUCI camper and staff member 2004–2013, NFTY OV TYG board member 2009–2011, life long member of Isaac M Wise Temple

Michaela Asher, URJ Camp Newman camper and staff member 2012–2018, NFTY SW

Mikey Latner, Former URJ Camp Newman Sr. Assistant Director

Mimi Molotsky, UPS JSU 2018–2020

Miranda Ward, NFTY CWR CVP 2020–2021

Molly Schulman, URJ Kutz Camp 2009–2010, URJ Camp Eisner 2012, NFTY in Israel 2011, NFTY NE NFTY Representative 2011–2012, Central Synagogue educator 2018–2019

Naomi Caplan, URJ Camp Harlam alumni, NFTY MAR alumni

Naomi Hornstein, URJ OSRUI (2001–2007, camper; 2009–2012, staff), NFTY EIE Spring 2009, Temple Israel Minneapolis Sunday School Teacher

Natalie Guthrie, Congregation Emanu-el of San Francisco

Nate Ellis, Am Shalom Congregation, Glencoe IL

Nathan Elbaum, NFTY NE participant and PVP 2013–2017

Netanya Perluss, URJ Camp Newman camper 1997–2013; URJ Kutz Camp camper 2014; URJ Camp Newman staffer 2015; NFTY EIE Spring 2013; Machon Kaplan Summer 2016; NFTY SoCal participant 2010–2015; Leo Baeck Temple member

Nina Heller, URJ Camp Newman camper and staff member 2009–2020; NFTY in Israel 2017, NFTY CWR CVP 2017–2018, NFTY CWR SAVP 2018–2019

Olivia Taub, URJ Eisner Camp camper and staff member 2007–2015; NFTY GER 2012–2014

Ollie Rokhsar, NFTY CWR PVP 2020–2021, Kutz 2019 Camper

Petra Reyes, URJ Camp Newman camper and staff member 2010–2011, 2014; NFTY EIE 2013, Temple Isaiah staff member

Rachel Klein, Temple Sinai (Oakland) congregation member, URJ Camp Newman camper and staff member 2007–2016

Rachel Levy, NFTY SW Alum, Machon Kaplan Alum

Rachel McKinnon, URJ Camp Newman camper and staff member 2009–2016

Rachel Rosner, NFTY-OV board member 1987–88

Raina Scherer, URJ Camp Newman alumna 2006–2019

Rakhel, Machon Kaplan Participant Summer 2017

Rebecca Asher, URJ Camp Newman camper and staff member 2010–2016, NFTY-SW member 2012–2016, Temple Chai member

Rebecca Hornstein, OSRUI camper 2000–2005, EIE alum, spring 2007

Rebecca Moffa, NFTY-SAR Member 2011–2012

Robin Kopf, URJ Camp Newman camper and staff member 2006–2017, NFTY SoCal Alumnus 2011–2015

Sally Rifkin

Sam Cohen, former member of Temple Sinai in Newington, CT

Sam Friedman, URJ Camp Eisner camper and counselor 2004–2016; RYFTI Co-President 2013–2014

Sam Leibnef, URJ camp harlam camper and staff, nfty in Israel participant

Sara Migler, Member of Temple Beth Amin

Sarah Freyd, Camp Kalsman camper and staff member 2007–2019

Sareta Gladson, URJ Camp Newman camper 2013–2016, NFTY SoCal Alumna, Temple Beth El (San Pedro, CA) Board of Directors Youth Representative 2015–2016

Sarina Elenbogen-Siegel, former Osrui camper, first year HUC cantorial student

Sarit Cahana, NFTY NW, URJ Camp Kalsman

Seth Wohl, Camp Harlam 2013–16

Shaina Zins, URJ Camp Newman camper and staff member, NFTY EIE/Heller High 2017, member of Temple Beth Emek (Pleasanton)

Shane Adams, NFTY-MAR, Temple Beth Or

Shani Haquin, Israeli emissary for URJ camp Newman 2017.

Sharona Kleinman, URJ Camp Newman Alum

Shayna Howitt, NFTY EIE 2011, NFTY SoCal 2008–2012, Temple Sinai of Glendale staff member

Shira Yudkin Tiffany, Daughter of Rabbi Marjorie Yudkin, z”l, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion ’83 and rabbi for Reform synagogues in Rye, NY, Easton and West Chester, PA, as well as Lafayette College Hillel and Princeton University Hillel

Sophia Luskin, URJ Camp Newman camper 2016–2017

Sophia Nachmanoff, NFTY CWR, Congregation Bet Haverim member

Sophie A Kaplan, NFTY-PAR Alum, URJ Camp Harlam Alum and Camp Council member, NFTY in Israel Alum

Sophie Foxman, URJ Camp George camper and staff member 2007–2017; NFTY NEL SAVP 2013–2014

Sophie Mason, URJ Camp Kalsman camper 2011–2015, NFTY NW 2014–2016, Congregation Temple De Hirsch Sinai in Bellevue WA, L’Taken participant 2016

Talia inbar, URJ GFC Staff member and former camper

Talia Jaffe, URJ Eisner Camp camper and staff member 2004–2017; NFTY EIE Spring 2013; NFTY NE RCVP 2013–2014

Tamara Stein, URJ camp Newman, URJ OSRUI, NFTY CWR

Taylor Stover, Temple Beth Zion member (Buffalo, NY)

Tyler Martin Benjamin, NFTY North American Programming VP (09–10); Southern Tropical Region (STR) President (08–09); Kutz Camper & Staff (07–10); NFTY in Israel (07); Coleman Camper (03–06)

Vanessa Chermak, NFTY SoCal participant; LBRTY MCVP 2018–2019, SAVP 2019–2021

Willow Higgins, NFTY-NW, URJ Camp Kalsman, and URJ Kutz Camp alum

Yonit Friedman, Temple Israel of Boston, 1994–2010

Zachary Herrmann, NFTY President 2017–18

More than 200 people have signed this letter and if you would like to add your name, you can do so at: bit.ly/urj-annexation-response