Life

Yoffie on Shabbat, Muslim-Jewish Dialogue, Health Care and Israel

By Daniel Treiman December 18, 2007

Rabbi Eric Yoffie, president of the Union for Reform Judaism, had an ambitious agenda for his synagogue movement’s biennial meeting. In his speech to the gathering, he urged a renewed commitment to Shabbat observance among Reform Jews, called for a deepening of dialogue with North American Muslims, pushed universal health care and issued an impassioned call for shoring up ties between his movement and Israel.

Also of note is the speech to the Reform biennial by Ingrid Mattson, president of the Islamic Society of North America. Yoffie had drawn national headlines — along with cheers, jeers and some things in-between from his fellow Jews — when he addressed ISNA in August.

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