Three Major Reform Jewish Organizations Pledge to Work Together for Better Future as 121st Annual Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR) Convention Comes to a Close

SAN FRANCISCO, CA--(Marketwire - March 11, 2010) - Members of Judaism's Reform Leadership Council (RLC), including leaders of the Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR), Union of Reform Judaism (URJ) and Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC - JIR), addressed of the 121st annual convention of the CCAR here. The CCAR represents nearly 2,000 Reform rabbis worldwide.

Rabbi Steven A. Fox, Chief Executive of the CCAR, underscored the important leadership role of the Reform rabbis, noting that, "With the collective wisdom of the Reform rabbinate, we are well situated to meet the myriad of challenges that lie ahead."

He added, "The joint mission of the Reform movement is to further each organization's mission in order to benefit all Jewish people."

The RLC struck a positive note for the future and articulated mutual goals: achieving a fundamental shift in the way the Reform movement does business; communicating the value of Reform life, and reasserting Reform leadership.

All of the CCAR convention attendees had an opportunity to discuss their goals and visions for the Reform movement and overall Jewish life and submit them to the CCAR, which has established a high-level task force to address these issues.

CCAR President, Rabbi Ellen W. Dreyfus, stated, "All three organizations have had a profound influence on my life." She added, "Reform Judaism has developed its own native culture, traditions and heritage. Reform is a verb and we are not finished reforming!"

To arrange a discussion with CCAR President, Rabbi Ellen Weinberg Dreyfus, please contact Itay Engelman at Sommerfield Communications, Inc. at 212-255-8386 or itay@sommerfield.com.

About The CCAR

The Central Conference of American Rabbis, founded in 1889, is the oldest and largest rabbinic organization in North America. As the professional organization for Reform Rabbis of North America, the CCAR projects a powerful voice in the religious life of the American and international Jewish communities. Since its establishment, the CCAR has a rich history of giving professional and personal support to Reform rabbis, providing them opportunities for study, professional development and spiritual growth beginning while they are still in seminary, through mid-careers, and into retirement. The CCAR is uniquely positioned to meet the ongoing needs of its nearly 2,000 member rabbis (virtually the entire Reform rabbinate) and the entire Reform Jewish community. For more information please visit the CCAR's website at http://ccarnet.org/. For the latest news from the CCAR follow @ReformRabbis on Twitter.

Contact Information: Contact: Itay Engelman Sommerfield Communications 212-255-8386 itay@sommerfield.com