2026-09-16 12:04:AM <br/> Tags: #WorldJewry #organization #LeftwingJewry ![[image-304.png|614]] # World Union for Progressive Judaism (WUPJ) - The World Union For Progressive Judaism (WUPJ) is the primary global umbrella organization representing "the international network of the Reform, Liberal, Progressive and Reconstructionist movements, serving an estimated 1.8 million members worldwide in more than 1,250 congregations in over 50 countries."[^1] - WUPJ [describes](https://wupj.org/about-us/mission-statement/) itself as "the central hub that connects Reform, Liberal, Progressive, and Reconstructionist Judaism around the world while upholding the State of Israel as the center of the Jewish people and Jewish identity." - WUPJ was founded in London in 1926. - The organization is headquartered in Jerusalem today. #### Structure - The World Union for Progressive Judaism represents seven regions, each subsequently represented by a major religious Jewish organization.[^3] *The seven regions (table below) generally outline the major modern Jewish population centers in the world.* - WUPJ is governed by two distinct bodies; the Governing Board and the International Leadership Council.[^8] - The Governing Board (currently 7 members) is responsible for organizational operations and decision making. - The International Leadership Council (currently 40 members) elects the members of the Governing board, passes resolutions, and its members serve as ambassadors for the organization. | Region | WUPJ Affiliate Organization | | -------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------- | | Australia, Asia, and New Zealand | Union for Progressive Judaism (UPJ) | | Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine | WUPJ FSU (former Soviet Union) | | Europe | European Union for Progressive Judaism (EUPJ) | | Israel | Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism (IMPJ) | | Latin America | Union for Reform Judaism for Latin America (UJR AmLat) | | North America | [[Union for Reform Judaism (URJ)]] | | South Africa | South African Union for Progressive Judaism (SAUPJ) | #### Activities - The first WUPJ international convention was held in Berlin in 1928 - WUPJ was headquartered in London until a move to New York in 1960 and later to Jerusalem in 1973.[^7] - WUPJ boasts that it was the first international religious Jewish organization to affiliate with the [[World Zionist Organization]] and the [[Jewish Agency]].[^7] - After [[October 7th]], WUPJ partnered with Arzenu (liberal Judaism's representative organization in the [[World Zionist Organization]]) to organize a "solidarity mission to Israel."[^4] - The 5-day mission, which had a $2,500 price tag per attendee, included meeting with Knesset members, touring the October 7th attack sites, and meeting with Israeli WUPJ affiliates. - Netzer Olami and Tamar Olami, are progressive Zionist youth organizations organized under WUPJ. - In WUPJ's 2025 annual report they highlight "expanded cooperation" between Netzer, Tamar, and [[Moishe House]], Yallah! Israel, and NFTY (the [[Union for Reform Judaism (URJ)]]'s youth group).[^6] - Among WUPJ's listed partners are the [[Jewish Agency]], the Israel Embassy, the [[JCC Association of North America|JCC]], the [[American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC)]], and [[Hillel International]].[^6] #### Funding and Donors - WUPJ is a tax exempt religious organization, so it is not required to report annual financial information.[^5] - In October 2024, WUPJ launched its "Centennial Campaign" to raise funds in celebration of the organization's hundredth year and in support of Israel during the [[Gaza War]]. - The campaign, which funded the restoration of the WUPJ headquarters raised slightly over six million dollars.[^6] - Centennial Campaign donors included the [[Jacob Blaustein]] Foundation. - WUPJ has received funding from the [[Jewish Communal Fund]], [[Harold Grinspoon Foundation]], and [[Charles Schusterman]].[^11][^12][^13] #### Notable Figures - Claude Goldsmid Mointefiore - Founder[^7] - Lily Montagu - Founder[^7] - [[Maurice Eisendrath]] - WUPJ president from 1972-1973[^7] - Richard G. Hirsch - WUPJ president from 1973-1999.[^9] - Hirsch "was an active leader in the [[Jewish Agency]] for Israel and the [[World Zionist Organization]]." - From 1962-73 Hirsch served as the founding director of the [[Union for Reform Judaism (URJ)]]'s [[Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (RAC)]]. - David Saperstein - WUPJ president from 2019-2020[^7] - Saperstein is director emeritus of the [[Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (RAC)]].[^10] - Under President Obama, Saperstein was appointed United States Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom. He served in this position from 2015-2017. - Saperstein was a board member at the [[NAACP]]. - Rabbi Sergio Bergman - Current WUPJ president[^2] - Bergman is an Argentine born rabbi, member of the [[Central Conference of American Rabbis]], and a graduate of the [[Jewish Agency]]'s Jerusalem Fellows Program. #### References [^1]: World Union for Progressive Judaism, “About Us,” [https://wupj.org/about-us/](https://wupj.org/about-us/). [^2]: World Union for Progressive Judaism, “Leadership & Staff,” [https://wupj.org/about-us/leadership-staff/](https://wupj.org/about-us/leadership-staff/). [^3]: World Union for Progressive Judaism, “WUPJ International Communities,” [https://wupj.org/wupj-international/](https://wupj.org/wupj-international/). [^4]: World Union for Progressive Judaism, “WUPJ/Arzenu Solidarity Mission to Israel,” [https://wupj.org/news/2024/01/59998/wupj-solidarity-mission-to-israel/](https://wupj.org/news/2024/01/59998/wupj-solidarity-mission-to-israel/). [^5]: “World Union for Progressive Judaism,” _Nonprofit Explorer_, ProPublica, [https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/131930176](https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/131930176). [^6]: World Union for Progressive Judaism, _2025 Annual Report_, [https://wupj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/ANNUAL-REPORT-WUPJ.pdf](https://wupj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/ANNUAL-REPORT-WUPJ.pdf). [^7]: World Union for Progressive Judaism, “History,” [https://wupj.org/about-us/history/](https://wupj.org/about-us/history/). [^8]: World Union for Progressive Judaism, “Governance,” [https://wupj.org/about-us/governance/](https://wupj.org/about-us/governance/). [^9]: World Union for Progressive Judaism, “Rabbi Richard G. Hirsch: Biography,” [https://wupj.org/rabbi-hirsch/bio/](https://wupj.org/rabbi-hirsch/bio/). [^10]: Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, “Rabbi David Saperstein,” [https://rac.org/about-religious-action-center-reform-judaism/leadership-and-staff/rabbi-david-saperstein](https://rac.org/about-religious-action-center-reform-judaism/leadership-and-staff/rabbi-david-saperstein). [^11]: Schusterman Family Foundation (or Schusterman Interests), “Charles Schusterman: He Lived the American Dream,” May 9, 2011, [https://www.schusterman.org/statement/charles-schusterman-he-lived-the-american-dream](https://www.schusterman.org/statement/charles-schusterman-he-lived-the-american-dream). [^12]: ProPublica, “Harold Grinspoon Foundation,” [https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/46685725](https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/46685725). [^13]: ProPublica, “Jewish Communal Fund,” [https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/237174183](https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/237174183).