17 Facts About Eric Yoffie

Eric H Yoffie is a Reform rabbi, and President Emeritus of the Union for Reform Judaism.

Eric Yoffie was the head of the URJ denomination from 1996 to 2012.

Rabbi Yoffie was raised in Worcester, Massachusetts, where his family belonged to Temple Emanuel, and he was involved in the North American Federation of Temple Youth.

Eric Yoffie received his semikhah from Hebrew Union College in New York in 1974.

Eric Yoffie served congregations in Lynbrook, New York and Durham, North Carolina, before joining the URJ as director of the Midwest Council in 1980.

On June 10,2010, Rabbi Eric Yoffie announced his intention to step down from the post of president of the URJ at the age of 65, in June 2012.

Rabbi Eric Yoffie has promoted increased traditionalism within Reform Judaism, encouraging greater focus on Jewish text study and prayer.

Eric Yoffie supported lifelong Jewish study by helping synagogues develop programs to enhance adult Jewish literacy.

Eric Yoffie has stated that a religiously grounded Judaism is essential to the future of the Jewish community.

Rabbi Eric Yoffie initiated dialogue programs between the URJ and both Christians and Muslims.

Eric Yoffie spoke about ignorance of Islam among Jews and Christians in North America and called for mutual understanding.

Eric Yoffie suggested that Jews and Muslims educate each other about their respective faiths and work to overcome stereotyping.

Eric Yoffie opposed the death penalty, supported LGBTQ+ rights, and advocated for gun control.

Rabbi Yoffie has focused much of his public efforts on supporting the State of Israel and strengthening the relationship between Israel and American Jews.

Eric Yoffie has been an advocate for religious freedom and pluralism in Israel, maintaining that Judaism should be promoted through education and persuasion rather than coercion.

In 2014, Rabbi Eric Yoffie questioned presidential candidate Reuven Rivlin on whether he would address Reform rabbis by their title.

Rabbi Yoffie has written on belief and spirituality in American life, addressing topics such as sin, atheism, community, immigration, health care, and economic justice from a progressive religious perspective.