Central Conference of American Rabbis

05/11/2026

Mazal tov to Hebrew Union College Cincinnati campus ordainees Rabbi Jonathan Benzion, Rabbi Mark Clayton Oppenheimer, Rabbi Marisa Hillary Papel, and Rabbi Jamie Belle Starr! Welcome to the Reform rabbinate and to the CCAR!

05/11/2026

Tuesday, May 12, is the last day to take advantage of the CCAR Press Shavuot sale! Enjoy discounts of up to 40% on Torah titles, select prayer books, commentaries, Jewish life titles, and more.

• See sale titles at shavuot.ccarpress.org
• Use promo code SPRING2026 at checkout. Valid through May 12.

05/10/2026

Mazal tov to the Reform rabbis ordained today by Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati.

The CCAR welcomes you into our community of Reform rabbis.

May you enter the rabbinate with the knowledge and wisdom of all of the rabbis, teachers, and leaders who guided you along the way. And may we in turn be guided by and learn from you.

May you find deep meaning and wholeness in the sacred work ahead, in all of its challenges and infinite joys.

May you be blessed on your journey, and may you be fortified by the strength of your ancestors, prophets, sages, and our rich Jewish community and history as you help create the future of Reform Judaism.

05/08/2026

B’har-B’chukotai, this week’s double Torah portion, states that if your kin fall into debt servitude—the ancient time-limited means of debt repayment—you must redeem them. If they fall into servitude specifically to you, you may not work them harshly. The word “redeem” is the same that is used for the redemption from Egypt, and “harshly” is the same word used to describe the slavery there. We are reminded of Egypt, the rabbis note, so that time-limited service never becomes slavery and we never become indifferent to others. Servants must be freed after six years and outfitted with supplies (Deut. 15: 14-15). On Shabbatot throughout the year, the Torah calls our attention to the importance of compassion. May this be in our hearts this Shabbat.

05/07/2026

A go-to resource for students, teachers, and congregational leaders, “Voices of Torah” volumes 1 and 2 offer thoughtful commentary on each parashah for study and teaching.

• Now on sale for $13.77 each. Use code SPRING2026 at checkout. Valid through May 12.
• See all sale titles: shavuot.ccarpress.org

05/06/2026

Congregation Beth Israel - Houston, TX in Houston is the home synagogue of CCAR President David Lyon. On April 22, 2026, law enforcement officials thwarted a credible antisemitic attack against Beth Israel and The Shlenker School, arresting individuals in North Carolina and Houston.

At a time of increased antisemitism and unbridled hatred toward the Jewish community, Rabbi Lyon reflects upon the need for secure a Jewish spaces and the words of Rabbi Hillel, who said “Do not separate yourself from the community.”

Rabbi Lyon reminds us: “Religious communities, and specifically, the Jewish community, are not an obstacle to anyone’s dreams for themselves or their own communities. The real obstacles to others’ dreams are longstanding stereotypes, age-old antisemitic tropes, and one’s own ignorance about others’ religious values and the values that many faiths share.”

We are grateful to law enforcement and security officials who helped keep Congregation Beth Israel safe. And we call upon our allies to stand up to antisemitism that threatens the physical and psychological safety of our peaceful Jewish communities.

Jewish tradition teaches us to embrace the world, not fence ourselves off from it. But how do you balance that with growing antisemitism?

05/05/2026

Looking for a fresh take on the Ten Commandments? “Inscribed: Encounters with the Ten Commandments” offers contemporary insights on these foundational mitzvot.

• Now on sale for $14.67 with code SPRING2026. Valid through May 12.
• Browse all titles on sale: shavuot.ccarpress.org

05/04/2026

The holiday of Lag BaOmer, the thirty-third day of the forty-nine days between Passover and Shavuot, was originally a commemoration of the cessation of an ancient plague that had been killing Rabbi Akiba’s students. Since then, it has highlighted perseverance and resilience of all kinds. This holiday turns our attention not to past achievements but to our capacity to endure difficulties and build for tomorrow. Today, may we take joy in that capacity as it paves the ground of the future.

05/04/2026

CCAR Press’s biggest sale of the year is here! As Shavuot approaches, we're taking the opportunity to clean out our warehouse for the spring. We’re offering deep discounts of up to 40% on selected Torah titles, prayer books, commentaries, Jewish life titles, and more.

• See sale titles at http://shavuot.ccarpress.org
• Use promo code SPRING2026 at checkout. Valid through May 12.

As Shavuot approaches, we’re taking the opportunity to do a warehouse spring cleaning. We’re offering discounts of up to 40% on selected Torah titles, prayer books, commentaries, Jewish life titles,... READ MORE

05/03/2026

Mazal tov to the Reform rabbis ordained today by Hebrew Union College in New York!

The CCAR is honored to welcome you into our community of Reform rabbis.

May you enter the rabbinate with the knowledge and wisdom of the rabbis, teachers, and leaders who guided you along the way, and may we in turn learn from you.

May you find deep meaning and wholeness in the sacred work ahead, in all of its challenges and infinite joys.

May you be blessed on your journey, and may you be fortified by the strength of your ancestors, prophets, sages, and our rich Jewish community and history as you help write the next chapter of Reform Judaism.

05/01/2026

This week’s Torah reading, Parashat Emor, describes the celebration of Shabbat and the ways in which the tabernacle, the Mishkan, must be protected from impurities. Both mark the importance of creating islands of holiness and peace in our hectic world—linking creation, holy places (Mishkan, synagogues), and holy times (Shabbat). As Shabbat begins, may we create such a time and place for all those we love. Shabbat Shalom.