Named in memory of Rabbi Maurice N. Eisendrath, the executive director and President of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations from 1943 – 1973, this award is the highest honor bestowed by the Reform Movement.

Rabbi Eisendrath began his leadership of the Union as executive secretary, a position which was later changed to president. In 1951 Rabbi Eisendrath moved the Union’s headquarters from Cincinnati to New York, dramatizing the adoption of a more dynamic program of leadership within the Movement. The Union purchased its first camp in the early 1950s, and the Movement’s emphasis on social action began in earnest, culminating with the 1961 founding of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism. Under Rabbi Eisendrath the Movement experienced tremendous growth, as congregations were formed in the new suburbs populated by returning GIs. By 1956 there were 536 congregations in the Union, and by 1970 the number reached 706.

Every two years at the Union for Reform Judaism’s Biennial, the Maurice N. Eisendrath Bearer of Light Award is conferred in two categories: Service to Reform Jewry and Service to the World Community.

The 2007 Eisendrath Award recipients are:

• Dr. Jeffery D. Sachs, leading international economic advisor, and one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential leaders in the world
• Michael J. Fox, political activist and award winning actor

Named for the second President of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, this award honors an individual who has shown a passion, leadership and commitment in relation to World Jewry.

During Rabbi Schindler's 23 year tenure as president, the Union experienced exceptional growth and significant developments in organizational policy. The visionary father of the Union’s acclaimed Torah Commentary, Rabbi Schindler recognized and worked toward meeting the Movement’s need for enriched religious school studies as well as stimulating and meaningful adult Jewish education. A true Ohev Yisroel, lover of Israel, he prodded the Reform Movement to participate fully in the Zionist world and was a prime mover in the creation of ARZA and ARZA Canada.

Rabbi Schindler called on the Reform community to become “Champions of Judaism.” He urged the Movement to welcome those who chose Judaism as their spiritual home and those who married into our faith and became involved in Jewish homes. Just as tenaciously, he promoted patrilineality, acceptance of Jewishly educated children of Jewish fathers as Jews and urged Reform Judaism to fortify the inner life of every Jew. In pushing for “inreach,” spiritual self-actualization, he said: “What purpose of outreach, pray tell, if there is nothing within?” Rabbi Schindler repeatedly called upon Reform Jews to take pride in their faith and make Judaism a meaningful enterprise in their lives.

Rabbi Schindler was a remarkably compassionate humanitarian, devoted to social justice and religious action, always seeking to better the human condition, to gain rights for the disenfranchised, and sustenance for the destitute and the downtrodden.

The inaugural recipient of the Union for Reform Judaism’s Alexander M. Schindler Distinguished Service Award is:

• Debbie Friedman, notable composer and performer of popular Jewish music

This year marks the 7^th presentation of the Belin Outreach Awards established by David Belin, the founding chairman of the UAHC-CCAR Commission on Reform Jewish Outreach. These awards honor congregations for their exceptionally innovative, effective, and reproducible outreach programs.

Peruse a list of award recipients.

These awards were established in 1983 to recognize congregations that had undertaken significant community service programs during the previous two years. The criteria for being selected have evolved since that time, reflecting the tremendous number of creative social action programs throughout the Reform Movement that have had an impact on the community and synagogue and demonstrate Judaism’s commitment to making the world a better place in which to live. The certificates of recognition were presented to the recipients at the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism’s Consultation on Conscience, held earlier this year. Check back soon for a list of Fain Award winners.

Peruse a list of award recipients.

The Congregation of Learners Award, presented by the Union’s Department of Lifelong Jewish Learning, was established in 2003 to recognize synagogues that provide an atmosphere of exceptional, varied, and comprehensive adult learning opportunities. Applicants are judged on their effectiveness in fulfilling adult Jewish learning goals and on their creativity, inclusiveness, Judaic content, educational method, replicability, and integration with the values and vision of the congregation. The winning congregations, which vary in size from 145 members to 1,400 members, will receive $150 worth of books and merchandise supporting adult Jewish learning from the URJ Press, and their initiatives will be included in a program guide to be released next year.

Peruse a list of award recipients.

Communicate! is a computerized encyclopedia of easy-to-use ideas, program expertise, contacts, and resources that has been used successfully in Union synagogues throughout North America for nearly 12 years. Recently, Communicate! was given a brand-new look and a more powerful, easier-to-use search engine. To increase awareness of Communicate! and build its ever-growing database (now containing more than 2,000 summaries), four Epstein Communicate! Awards are presented at each Union Biennial, chosen from the outstanding ideas that have been submitted since the prior convention. Each award includes a $1,000 grant to the congregation, to be earmarked for expanded programming. The awards are named in honor of Paddy and Barry Epstein, longtime leaders of the Union and founders and primary supporters of the Communicate! program.

Peruse a list of award recipients.