Union for Reform Judaism

What Union for Reform Judaism does

The Union for Reform Judaism (URJ), founded in 1873 in Cincinnati as the Union of American Hebrew Congregations and renamed in 2003, is the central congregational and organizational body of the Reform Jewish Movement in North America. Headquartered at 633 Third Avenue, New York, it represents approximately 825 member congregations across the United States and Canada serving 1.8 million Reform Jews, alongside a network of 14 overnight summer camps, the NFTY youth movement (750 temple youth groups in 19 regions), Israel travel programs (Yallah! Israel, URJ Heller High, URJ Teen Israel Fellowship, Mitzvah Corps), and the Religious Action Center for advocacy.

URJ's core programmatic offerings include youth and immersive experiences (camps, NFTY, teen fellowships), adult and conversion education (Introduction to Judaism, Taste of Judaism, Disabilities Inclusion Learning Center), Israel engagement (URJ 4HQ curriculum, Just Zionism Initiative, ARZA), advocacy (Every Voice, Every Vote Campaign), and event programming (the biennial URJ convention). Its technology footprint centers on The Tent, a communication and collaboration platform connecting lay and professional Jewish leaders across the Reform Movement, and the URJ Marketplace, an exclusive member benefit bundling proprietary URJ content with vetted-vendor discounts across insurance, software, HR services, and technology.

URJ operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit funded primarily through Reform Movement Membership contributions from member congregations (of which 44% are remitted to Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, with 56% retained for URJ operations), individual and planned-giving philanthropy, foundation grants, and participant fees from camps and immersive programs. Distribution runs through a dedicated North American Congregation Services account-management team, the URJ Marketplace vendor ecosystem, and a federation of international affiliates including the World Union for Progressive Judaism, ARZA, ARZA Canada, the Religious Action Center, the Israel Religious Action Center, and the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism.

Name

Union for Reform Judaism

Legal name

Union for Reform Judaism

Website

https://urj.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1873

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

The Union for Reform Judaism is the central congregational body of the Reform Jewish Movement in North America, serving 825 member congregations and 1.8 million Reform Jews across the U.S. and Canada through camps, youth programs, Israel engagement, advocacy, and shared member services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Congregational Membership Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Religious Organizations (813110)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Local Congregations & Worship Communities (Churches, Mosques, Temples, Synagogues) (BPAGAJAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Faith-Based Education & Formation (Seminaries, Religious Schools, Catechesis) (BPAGAJAD)

Keywords

• Jewish congregational services
• Reform Movement membership
• Jewish summer camps
• Jewish youth programs
• Religious social advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Member Congregation Contributions: The URJ receives financial support from member congregations through Reform Movement Membership funds. Based on General Assembly policies, 44% of these funds support Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion while 56% are retained for URJ operations.
2. Philanthropic Donations: Individual donors and foundations provide additional financial support to the URJ through planned giving, annual donations, and capital campaigns.
3. Camp and Program Fees: Camps and immersive programs charge participant fees, supplemented by scholarships, generating revenue while providing youth programming.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Union for Reform Judaism is a membership-based nonprofit organization that serves as the central body for 825 Reform congregations across North America, providing congregational resources, leadership development, youth programming, summer camps, Israel travel programs, social justice advocacy, and human resources services for synagogues. It operates 14 summer camps, the NFTY youth movement, and the Religious Action Center, while partnering with rabbinical and lay organizations to strengthen Reform Jewish life.

Product overview

The Union for Reform Judaism operates a comprehensive portfolio of programs and services for the Reform Jewish Movement. The core offerings include 14 overnight summer camps across North America, youth programs (NFTY, Mitzvah Corps, Teen Fellowships), and Israel travel programs (Yallah! Israel, URJ Heller High). For member congregations, URJ provides the URJ Marketplace (vendor discounts), JHR (human resources services), The Tent (collaboration platform), and Leadership Development programs. The Religious Action Center handles advocacy, including the Every Voice, Every Vote voter engagement campaign. Educational offerings include Introduction to Judaism, Taste of Judaism, and the Disabilities Inclusion Learning Center. The URJ Biennial is the flagship gathering event. URJ serves 825 member congregations and engages over 20,000 youth, teens, and young adults annually.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• NFTY – The Reform Jewish Youth Movement: A vibrant network of temple youth groups for Jewish teenagers in grades 6-12, fostering leadership and engagement in Reform Judaism.
• Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (RAC)
• Yallah! Israel
• URJ Heller High
• Reform Pay Equity Initiative
• Just Zionism

Products and services

• URJ Summer Camps A network of 14 overnight summer camps across North America offering immersive Jewish experiences for youth and teens, including regional camps (Camp Harlam, Eisner Camp, Camp George) and specialty camps (6 Points Sci-Tech Academy, 6 Points Creative Arts Academy, 6 Points Sports Academy). The camps serve more than 10,000 campers annually.
• NFTY: The Reform Jewish Youth Movement A vibrant network of temple youth groups for Jewish teenagers in grades 6-12, fostering leadership and exploration of Reform Judaism through teen-powered weekends and social justice ventures.
• Yallah! Israel Network of Israel travel programs for teens, featuring hiking, climbing, discovery, and exploration across Israel.
• URJ Heller High Accredited semester-long program in Israel for Reform Jewish high school students in grades 10-12, with participants earning high school and college credit.
• URJ Teen Israel Fellowship Transformative program for Jewish teens ages 14-18 to explore Israel, grow as leaders, and make a difference in their communities, available in both Israel-based and U.S.-based formats.
• Mitzvah Corps Social justice travel programs for youth and teens combining service learning with Jewish values.
• Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (RAC) The hub of Jewish social justice work, mobilizing around federal, state, and local legislation, supporting congregational leaders, and organizing communities for justice, compassion, and peace. A joint instrumentality of the URJ and CCAR.
• Every Voice, Every Vote Campaign A nonpartisan campaign to increase voter access and participation to strengthen democracy, engaging congregations at national, state, and local levels.
• Introduction to Judaism Formal introduction to Judaism classes sponsored by URJ-affiliated congregations with extensive support from URJ staff, for individuals exploring Jewish connection.
• Taste of Judaism Introductory classes welcoming those curious about Judaism to explore Jewish life and connection.
• URJ Marketplace An exclusive benefit for URJ member congregations offering proprietary URJ content and discounts from trusted vendors including insurance (Berkett, Felsen Insurance), software (Easyshul, Zoom, TechSoup), HR services (JHR), and consulting (BoardSource, Hudson Ferris).
• JHR (Jewish Human Resources) Human resources services for congregations integrating Jewish values with organizational health and employee well-being, providing back-office HR support and Fortune 500-style benefits.
• The Tent A communication and collaboration platform connecting lay and professional Jewish leaders across the Reform Movement to share ideas, resources, and innovations.
• Inclusion & Disability Youth Programs Programs providing personalized intake, communication, and support to ensure an optimum experience for campers with disabilities at URJ camps.
• Disabilities Inclusion Learning Center A complete archive of webinars, videos, and written resources on disabilities inclusion, available to congregations and communities.
• Leadership Development Programs Training and engagement opportunities including the Scheidt Seminar and Essential Tools for URJ Congregations toolkit series for lay and professional leaders.
• J² Journeys A luxury travel brand in partnership with URJ crafting Jewish educational and experiential journeys to Israel and around the world, supporting Reform institutions and strengthening Israel connections.
• URJ 4HQ Curriculum A 10-part Israel educational curriculum based on the Hatikvah framework addressing Israel's complexities, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and religious pluralism.
• Just Zionism Initiative An initiative building a community of activists around Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, emphasizing social justice and pluralism, geared towards Reform Jews in their 20s and 30s.
• URJ Biennial A major four-day gathering of the Reform Movement bringing together Reform Jews, camp alumni, clergy, and congregational leaders for inspiration, learning, and spiritual renewal.
• North American Congregation Services & Account Management The primary URJ contact for congregational leaders, providing information, guidance, and connections to help navigate all aspects of congregational life through the North American Congregation Services team.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 20,000 youth, teens, and young adults engaged annually through URJ youth programs
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Religious Action Center (RAC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe RAC is a joint instrumentality of the URJ and CCAR, serving as the hub of Jewish social justice work for nearly six decades. It mobilizes around federal, state, and local legislation, supports congregational leaders, and organizes communities for justice, compassion, and peace as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
• Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Reform Movement's North American seminary and the first and largest Jewish seminary on the continent, with four campuses in the U.S. and Israel. HUC-JIR ordains rabbis and cantors and trains Jewish educators and nonprofit professionals. 44% of URJ member contributions support HUC-JIR.
• Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe oldest and largest rabbinic organization in North America, with 2,200 rabbis serving more than 2 million Reform Jews worldwide. CCAR is a joint instrumentality with the URJ through the Commission on Social Action.
• World Union for Progressive Judaism (WUPJ)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe international umbrella organization of the Reform, Liberal, Progressive, and Reconstructionist movements, serving 1,250 congregations with 1.2 million members in more than 50 countries.
• Association of Reform Zionists of America (ARZA)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerARZA strengthens and enriches the Jewish identity of Reform Jews in the United States by ensuring connection with Israel is fundamental to that identity. Rabbi Josh Weinberg serves as Executive Director of ARZA and Vice President of URJ for Israel and Reform Zionism.
• ARZA CanadamajorGTM or Marketing PartnerReaches out to all Reform Jews in Canada to foster understanding of Israel and support the Reform Movement in Israel. Comprises more than 6,000 members with connections to 25 URJ-affiliated congregations across Canada.
• Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEstablished in 1913, WRJ strengthens the voice of women worldwide, empowers them to create caring communities, nurtures congregations, promotes personal and spiritual growth, and advances progressive Jewish values. Coordinates the Reform Pay Equity Initiative.
• American Conference of Cantors (ACC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWith almost 600 members, ACC cultivates excellence among ordained and certified cantors and strengthens Reform Jewish life in North America through support for congregational spiritual leadership.
• NFTY – The Reform Jewish Youth MovementcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFostering leadership at national, regional, and congregational levels for more than 75 years, NFTY offers young people the opportunity to explore and live Reform Judaism through teen-powered weekends and social justice ventures. Comprises 750 Temple Youth Groups in 19 regions.
• Israel Religious Action Center (IRAC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe public and legal advocacy arm of the Reform Movement in Israel, founded in 1987 with goals of advancing pluralism in Israeli society and defending freedoms of conscience, faith, and religion.
• Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism (IMPJ)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe umbrella organization of all Reform communities and institutions in Israel, representing the progressive Jewish movement within Israel.
• J² (Jewish Journeys)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerJ² is a leading luxury travel brand partnering with URJ to offer Reform Jewish Journeys to Israel and around the world. The partnership supports Reform institutions in Israel while strengthening Israel connections in North America through educational and experiential journeys.
• Secure Community Network (SCN)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for the URJ's new suite of safety and security resources for congregations. SCN provides expertise and support for ensuring the safety of clergy, staff, and congregants in addressing unique challenges of this moment.
• National Association for Temple Administration (NATA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded in 1941, NATA is the professional organization for more than 400 members from North America and Australia who serve synagogues as executives, administrators, or managers.
• Association of Reform Jewish Educators (ARJE)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe professional organization of Jewish educators of the Reform Movement, serving a wide variety of Jewish organizations by working to strengthen Reform Jewish religious education.
• Reform Pension Board (RPB)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerServing congregations, institutions, and professionals of the Reform Movement since 1944, RPB responds to the needs and concerns of participating organizations and their professionals, including retirement benefits.
• Men of Reform Judaism (MRJ)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded in 1923, MRJ encourages local Brotherhoods to engage in projects that provide meaningful services to congregations and sponsor community-building projects.
• Leo Baeck Day SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReform Jewish day school in Canada, part of the Reform Jewish Community of Canada network alongside URJ Camp George and other Canadian affiliates.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Orthodox Union (OU): The Orthodox Union is the largest Orthodox Jewish congregational umbrella in North America, paralleling the URJ's role for Orthodox synagogues. It offers kosher supervision, youth programming (NCSY), advocacy, and member services — the same category of services URJ provides for Reform congregations.
• United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ): USCJ is the congregational arm of Conservative Judaism in North America, directly parallel to URJ's role for Reform. It operates youth programs (USY), summer camps, and member services for Conservative synagogues, competing for the same institutional and donor pool.
• Chabad-Lubavitch: Chabad is a global Hasidic movement with thousands of outreach centers across North America competing directly with URJ congregations for unaffiliated, interfaith, and young Jewish families through low-barrier programming, holiday services, and educational engagement.
• Reconstructing Judaism / Jewish Reconstructionist Communities: The Reconstructionist movement is a smaller but ideologically adjacent North American Jewish denomination, also affiliated with the World Union for Progressive Judaism alongside URJ. It operates congregational support, rabbinical training (RRC), and youth/camp programs competing for similar progressive Jewish constituents.

Broad incumbents

• World Union for Progressive Judaism (WUPJ): WUPJ is the international umbrella for Reform, Liberal, Progressive, and Reconstructionist movements, connecting 1,250 congregations in 50+ countries. It is both a URJ partner and a broader incumbent operating one level up, coordinating global Reform infrastructure.
• American Jewish Committee (AJC): AJC is a leading global Jewish advocacy and diplomatic organization operating across denominations. It competes for Jewish donor attention, advocacy bandwidth, and Israel-related political influence alongside URJ's Religious Action Center.
• Anti-Defamation League (ADL): ADL is a major Jewish civil rights and anti-hate organization with overlapping advocacy scope to URJ's Religious Action Center, including fighting antisemitism, lobbying government, and coalition-based social justice work across North America.

Others

• Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR): HUC-JIR is the Reform Movement's seminary and core URJ partner; it receives 44% of URJ congregational contributions and ordains rabbis, cantors, and educators. It is the upstream talent pipeline for URJ congregations and a deeply intertwined institutional peer.
• Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR): CCAR is the professional rabbinic association of 2,200 Reform rabbis and a joint instrumentality with URJ through the Religious Action Center. It is the rabbinic peer/governance body adjacent to URJ's congregational focus.

Regional players

• Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA): JFNA is the central fundraising and community-planning body for North American Jewish federations, overlapping URJ in fundraising, Israel engagement, and social justice coordination but at the community-wide rather than denominational level.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/urj
• Facebookfacebook.com/reformjudaism
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/union-for-reform-judaism

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Union for Reform Judaism