Reform Movement Investigations - sign to pressure change
Reform Movement Investigations - sign to pressure change
The Issue
Much of the content of this petition was removed due to threats from Central Conference of American Rabbis who are invested in keeping their victims gagged and silenced so they can continue protecting offending rabbis and continue keeping victims silenced!
On May 27, 2024, The Central Conference of American Rabbis Ethics Committee was recorded agreeing to keep child abuse confidential if the witnesses would come forward and talk to them! I am in possession of this audio recording. Yes, I have turned it over to authorities in more than one state. Victims have appealed to the New York Attorney General’s office to intervene regarding threats into silence and failure to report crimes, including child abuse, as well as intimidating victims into not reporting abuse. This must stop. Please use this form to ask the New York Attorney General to intervene in this matter: NYAG contact form is here and here is a Petition with links to articles that have more information.
Update:
Press release: Anglican Watch announces major investigation into allegations of abuse, criminal conduct at leading institutions within Reform Judaism
ByAnglican Watch
March 28, 2026
Watchdog group Anglican Watch today announced an ongoing investigation into several leading organizations within the Reform Judaism Movement in North America following receipt of credible allegations of abuse, cover-up, criminal conduct, retaliation against whistleblowers, and the failure to comply with mandatory child abuse reporting laws. The investigation extends to a number of prominent faith leaders, synagogues, and several key organizations, including the:
Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR), which represents Reform Movement rabbis.
Union for Reform Judaism (URJ), which is the congregational arm of the Reform Judaism Movement in North America.
Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC), which is the largest graduate and professional school for Jewish leadership in the world.
Several state attorneys general are believed to be investigating these allegations as well.
“I want to be crystal clear: Our work in this space is in no way antisemitic. Rather, we seek to shine a light on corruption within the Reform Movement, just as we do in other faith communities,” said Anglican Watch official Eric Bonetti.
“Much like the Episcopal Church and many liberal mainline Christian denominations, the Reform Movement talks a good game. But beneath the surface, we see patterns of deceit, corruption, misfeasance, and nonfeasance that are all too familiar. Even more troubling, we have compelling evidence that many Reform leaders routinely ignore mandatory reporting statutes.
“In the coming weeks, I expect we will release a variety of materials, including case studies and supporting documentation addressing these allegations. We will also collaborate with law enforcement, attorneys general, reporters, abuse victims, and anyone else pursuing justice on these issues,” Bonetti concludes.
Founded in 2015, Anglican Watch is the unofficial watchdog of the Episcopal Church. The organization addresses both sexual and non-sexual abuse in the Episcopal Church and other faith communities.
Please email the New York Attorney General and ask them to intervene.
The contact for for the NY AG is here:
Articles regarding CCAR & the URJ's misconduct are here:
https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/author/julie-guilfoyle/
https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/author/sarah-ruth-hoffman/
Additional Petition demanding the resignation of URJ President Rick Jacobs
Email addresses of CCAR & URJ change makers are below. I encourage everyone to email these organizations.
I am aware that CCAR and the URJ are not keeping their promises regarding ethics reform, appropriate treatment of victims during the ethics process, and safeguarding the Reform Movement from dangerous rabbis.
The 2021 investigation reports demonstrate a cavalier disregard for children’s and adult’s health and safety. It is imperative that the URJ and CCAR immediately implement ongoing external reviews and public reports of these reviews. It is further imperative that CCAR and the URJ announce open all meetings regarding ethics reform, including task force meetings to the public.
Our community relies on you for its safety. The perpetrators of these crimes and those responsible for covering up these crimes need to be held accountable. The URJ and CCAR no longer have public trust. We demand immediate action and transparency.
Thank you for your consideration in this matter.
Sincerely,
Name
Address
Section II - Email Addresses of CCAR decision-makers
CCAR - Central Conference of American Rabbis
New York Charity Registration Number: 05-99-38
EIN: 13-1769747
Address: 355 Lexington Ave Floor 8, New York, NY 10017
Phone: (212) 972-3636
The Ethics Chair is also on the committee responsible for changes to the process
CCAR Ethics Chair
ccarethicschair@gmail.com
ethicschair@ccarnet.org
CCAR Executive Director:
Hara Person
hperson@ccarnet.org
212-542-8799
Section III - Email Addresses of URJ decision-makers
URJ - Union for Reform Judaism
EIN: 13-1663143
Address: 633 3rd Ave # Sc-7, New York, NY 10017
Phone: (212) 650-4000
President of the URJ: Rick Jacobs
rjacobs@urj.org
URJ VP: Melissa Johnson
mjohnson@urj.org
Phone: 212-650-4120
Section IV - Information by State to make an Attorney General report
If you have personal knowledge of misconduct by CCAR or the URJ and want to file a complaint with the Attorney General in the state where the incident occurred, it is best to do so in both the state where the incident occurred and New York, as both agencies are based in New York. You can also let them know there is a current case in Ohio.
List of Charity Investigators by State: HERE
Include the Ohio investigator information on the form for any state you file:
The Ohio Attorney General’s Investigator:
Conika Brooks
Investigator Unit Supervisor – Charitable Law Section
Office of Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost
Directions for filing:
Ohio: Ohio Attorney General
New York: New York Attorney General
New York is where these nonprofits are physically located and registered. On the New York form, you should choose “Wrongdoing by Charitable Organization.”
Anonymous Contact Form - You can provide volunteers with any information anonymously: Here
You may also contact these volunteers at: CCAR.URJ.Reporting@protonmail.com
Section V - Email Templet & Information by State to write/email your Attorney General
Attorney General Contact Information by State: Here
Dear Attorney General,
I can no longer trust that myself and my children are safe in the State of ______. I am both outraged and disturbed by what is contained in these reports:
Union for Reform Judaism (URJ)
Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR)
As a resident of the state of _____, I ask and implore you to conduct an independent investigation into ongoing crimes being committed by clergy and being covered up by the URJ and CCAR. Serious criminal acts against both children and adults are still being committed. You can find information on recent cases on this blog.
These reports demonstrate a cavalier disregard for children’s and adult’s health and safety. It is imperative that the investigation include the following three factors: 1) be independent and separate from the church, 2) employ subpoena authority, and 3) compel testimony under oath.
Our community relies on you and other organizations of law enforcement for the safety of our community. Perpetrators of these crimes, and those responsible for covering up these crimes, need to be held accountable. This initiative will protect future children from sexual assault in our great state. We need to make the very strong statement that there will be criminal consequences for protecting an institution over the safety and well-being of a child.
These reports are replete with story after story of how the URJ and CCAR turned their back on their victims. Please don’t do the same to these victims. These survivors deserve more from this great state.
Thank you for your consideration in this matter.
Sincerely,
Name
Address
--------------------------------------------------------
____________________________________________
The URJ refuses "ethical oversight" in Reform synagogues but accepts dues and is the very agency that allows them to stay in the movement. Their self congratulatory "Ethics Reform" does not include holding synagogues accountable for abuse! Their solution is to have synagogues implement "completely voluntary ethics codes" with no accountability from the Reform Movement!
Central Conference of American Rabbis, AKA CCAR
CCAR "Ethics" Committee Intimidate Vicim's & Complaints Into Silence To Protect and Shield Offending Rabbis!
Executive Director Hara Person recently was told that the CCAR Ethics Committee was mistreating and intimidating victims and will do nothing!
The URJ, despite all of Rick Jacob's back-patting for their "Ethics Reform" have stated no intent to change the bylaws to hold synagogue abusers accountable! The URJ will not release victims from their non-disclosure agreements to tell the world what they think about their "T'Shuvah" efforts and ethics reform! If you are serious, remove the gags and let us speak!
The ethics process to report abusing rabbis is not safe therefore REFORM SYNAGOGUES ARE NOT SAFE.
In 2024 - Victims are still being mistreated by CCAR "Ethics" Committee and CCAR "Ethics" Committee continues to cover up for and protect rabbis! The Ethics Committee is a wolf in sheep's clothing. They are only interested in protecting rabbis who are harming people. The "Ethics" Committee and the current "Ethics" Chair are willing to mistreat and bully complainants to protect rabbis!
Per an article linked below:
"This lack of regard for the value of human life should not be surprising given that the CCAR's ethics committee originally named themselves the "well-oiled zipper committee." Enough said." (link to article below)
In 2024 CCAR "Ethics" Committee is still functioning as the "well-oiled zipper committee," mistreating victims and complainants while going out of their way to protect rabbis perpetrating abuse.
"Inadequate procedures to protect communities. In addition to outright cover-ups and lack of timely warning, the CCAR has come under fire for their "unheard of" ethics committee procedures." Link.
Learn about and support petitions like these: Website
373
The Issue
Much of the content of this petition was removed due to threats from Central Conference of American Rabbis who are invested in keeping their victims gagged and silenced so they can continue protecting offending rabbis and continue keeping victims silenced!
On May 27, 2024, The Central Conference of American Rabbis Ethics Committee was recorded agreeing to keep child abuse confidential if the witnesses would come forward and talk to them! I am in possession of this audio recording. Yes, I have turned it over to authorities in more than one state. Victims have appealed to the New York Attorney General’s office to intervene regarding threats into silence and failure to report crimes, including child abuse, as well as intimidating victims into not reporting abuse. This must stop. Please use this form to ask the New York Attorney General to intervene in this matter: NYAG contact form is here and here is a Petition with links to articles that have more information.
Update:
Press release: Anglican Watch announces major investigation into allegations of abuse, criminal conduct at leading institutions within Reform Judaism
ByAnglican Watch
March 28, 2026
Watchdog group Anglican Watch today announced an ongoing investigation into several leading organizations within the Reform Judaism Movement in North America following receipt of credible allegations of abuse, cover-up, criminal conduct, retaliation against whistleblowers, and the failure to comply with mandatory child abuse reporting laws. The investigation extends to a number of prominent faith leaders, synagogues, and several key organizations, including the:
Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR), which represents Reform Movement rabbis.
Union for Reform Judaism (URJ), which is the congregational arm of the Reform Judaism Movement in North America.
Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC), which is the largest graduate and professional school for Jewish leadership in the world.
Several state attorneys general are believed to be investigating these allegations as well.
“I want to be crystal clear: Our work in this space is in no way antisemitic. Rather, we seek to shine a light on corruption within the Reform Movement, just as we do in other faith communities,” said Anglican Watch official Eric Bonetti.
“Much like the Episcopal Church and many liberal mainline Christian denominations, the Reform Movement talks a good game. But beneath the surface, we see patterns of deceit, corruption, misfeasance, and nonfeasance that are all too familiar. Even more troubling, we have compelling evidence that many Reform leaders routinely ignore mandatory reporting statutes.
“In the coming weeks, I expect we will release a variety of materials, including case studies and supporting documentation addressing these allegations. We will also collaborate with law enforcement, attorneys general, reporters, abuse victims, and anyone else pursuing justice on these issues,” Bonetti concludes.
Founded in 2015, Anglican Watch is the unofficial watchdog of the Episcopal Church. The organization addresses both sexual and non-sexual abuse in the Episcopal Church and other faith communities.
Please email the New York Attorney General and ask them to intervene.
The contact for for the NY AG is here:
Articles regarding CCAR & the URJ's misconduct are here:
https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/author/julie-guilfoyle/
https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/author/sarah-ruth-hoffman/
Additional Petition demanding the resignation of URJ President Rick Jacobs
Email addresses of CCAR & URJ change makers are below. I encourage everyone to email these organizations.
I am aware that CCAR and the URJ are not keeping their promises regarding ethics reform, appropriate treatment of victims during the ethics process, and safeguarding the Reform Movement from dangerous rabbis.
The 2021 investigation reports demonstrate a cavalier disregard for children’s and adult’s health and safety. It is imperative that the URJ and CCAR immediately implement ongoing external reviews and public reports of these reviews. It is further imperative that CCAR and the URJ announce open all meetings regarding ethics reform, including task force meetings to the public.
Our community relies on you for its safety. The perpetrators of these crimes and those responsible for covering up these crimes need to be held accountable. The URJ and CCAR no longer have public trust. We demand immediate action and transparency.
Thank you for your consideration in this matter.
Sincerely,
Name
Address
Section II - Email Addresses of CCAR decision-makers
CCAR - Central Conference of American Rabbis
New York Charity Registration Number: 05-99-38
EIN: 13-1769747
Address: 355 Lexington Ave Floor 8, New York, NY 10017
Phone: (212) 972-3636
The Ethics Chair is also on the committee responsible for changes to the process
CCAR Ethics Chair
ccarethicschair@gmail.com
ethicschair@ccarnet.org
CCAR Executive Director:
Hara Person
hperson@ccarnet.org
212-542-8799
Section III - Email Addresses of URJ decision-makers
URJ - Union for Reform Judaism
EIN: 13-1663143
Address: 633 3rd Ave # Sc-7, New York, NY 10017
Phone: (212) 650-4000
President of the URJ: Rick Jacobs
rjacobs@urj.org
URJ VP: Melissa Johnson
mjohnson@urj.org
Phone: 212-650-4120
Section IV - Information by State to make an Attorney General report
If you have personal knowledge of misconduct by CCAR or the URJ and want to file a complaint with the Attorney General in the state where the incident occurred, it is best to do so in both the state where the incident occurred and New York, as both agencies are based in New York. You can also let them know there is a current case in Ohio.
List of Charity Investigators by State: HERE
Include the Ohio investigator information on the form for any state you file:
The Ohio Attorney General’s Investigator:
Conika Brooks
Investigator Unit Supervisor – Charitable Law Section
Office of Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost
Directions for filing:
Ohio: Ohio Attorney General
New York: New York Attorney General
New York is where these nonprofits are physically located and registered. On the New York form, you should choose “Wrongdoing by Charitable Organization.”
Anonymous Contact Form - You can provide volunteers with any information anonymously: Here
You may also contact these volunteers at: CCAR.URJ.Reporting@protonmail.com
Section V - Email Templet & Information by State to write/email your Attorney General
Attorney General Contact Information by State: Here
Dear Attorney General,
I can no longer trust that myself and my children are safe in the State of ______. I am both outraged and disturbed by what is contained in these reports:
Union for Reform Judaism (URJ)
Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR)
As a resident of the state of _____, I ask and implore you to conduct an independent investigation into ongoing crimes being committed by clergy and being covered up by the URJ and CCAR. Serious criminal acts against both children and adults are still being committed. You can find information on recent cases on this blog.
These reports demonstrate a cavalier disregard for children’s and adult’s health and safety. It is imperative that the investigation include the following three factors: 1) be independent and separate from the church, 2) employ subpoena authority, and 3) compel testimony under oath.
Our community relies on you and other organizations of law enforcement for the safety of our community. Perpetrators of these crimes, and those responsible for covering up these crimes, need to be held accountable. This initiative will protect future children from sexual assault in our great state. We need to make the very strong statement that there will be criminal consequences for protecting an institution over the safety and well-being of a child.
These reports are replete with story after story of how the URJ and CCAR turned their back on their victims. Please don’t do the same to these victims. These survivors deserve more from this great state.
Thank you for your consideration in this matter.
Sincerely,
Name
Address
--------------------------------------------------------
____________________________________________
The URJ refuses "ethical oversight" in Reform synagogues but accepts dues and is the very agency that allows them to stay in the movement. Their self congratulatory "Ethics Reform" does not include holding synagogues accountable for abuse! Their solution is to have synagogues implement "completely voluntary ethics codes" with no accountability from the Reform Movement!
Central Conference of American Rabbis, AKA CCAR
CCAR "Ethics" Committee Intimidate Vicim's & Complaints Into Silence To Protect and Shield Offending Rabbis!
Executive Director Hara Person recently was told that the CCAR Ethics Committee was mistreating and intimidating victims and will do nothing!
The URJ, despite all of Rick Jacob's back-patting for their "Ethics Reform" have stated no intent to change the bylaws to hold synagogue abusers accountable! The URJ will not release victims from their non-disclosure agreements to tell the world what they think about their "T'Shuvah" efforts and ethics reform! If you are serious, remove the gags and let us speak!
The ethics process to report abusing rabbis is not safe therefore REFORM SYNAGOGUES ARE NOT SAFE.
In 2024 - Victims are still being mistreated by CCAR "Ethics" Committee and CCAR "Ethics" Committee continues to cover up for and protect rabbis! The Ethics Committee is a wolf in sheep's clothing. They are only interested in protecting rabbis who are harming people. The "Ethics" Committee and the current "Ethics" Chair are willing to mistreat and bully complainants to protect rabbis!
Per an article linked below:
"This lack of regard for the value of human life should not be surprising given that the CCAR's ethics committee originally named themselves the "well-oiled zipper committee." Enough said." (link to article below)
In 2024 CCAR "Ethics" Committee is still functioning as the "well-oiled zipper committee," mistreating victims and complainants while going out of their way to protect rabbis perpetrating abuse.
"Inadequate procedures to protect communities. In addition to outright cover-ups and lack of timely warning, the CCAR has come under fire for their "unheard of" ethics committee procedures." Link.
Learn about and support petitions like these: Website
373
The Decision Makers
Petition created on August 30, 2023