Kristof writes, “ President Bush and other world leaders have dropped the ball on Darfur. But that vacuum of moral leadership has been filled by university students, churches and temples, celebrities like George Clooney and Mia Farrow, and armies of schoolchildren.” Kristof recognizes and celebrates our efforts and sincere concern for the people of Darfur.

But what struck me most were the many comments left by readers in response to Mr. Kristof’s column in his blog, “On the Ground,” especially the stories of their own work or links to their Darfur projects. There’s information on the Darfur Wall which commemorates each victim of the violence while raising funds for humanitarian aid. There are comments from a Chadian, providing a very different perspective, and questions from a student asking what his university can do to help. In an unlikely place we find respectful discussion, exchange of ideas, frustration at our government’s lack of action, and hope for the future.

I believe that the Reform movement is at the heart of the extraordinary grassroots efforts about which Mr. Kristof writes. A former RAC Legislative Assistant at Temple Emanu El in Dallas founded Dolls for Darfur, spreading awareness and encouraging advocacy. Temple Har HaShem in Boulder, Colorado, received a grant by an inspired congregant which allowed them to sponsor the passage of 14 Sudanese refugees, create a Sudan video lending library, and help run a city wide advocacy day called the Boulder Day for Darfur. Temple Beth El in South Orange County, California, held a Day of Awareness for Sudan. And countless synagogues and congregants sent delegations to the Darfur rallies in Washington D.C. and New York in 2006, have held vigils, participated in interfaith programs, posted “Save Darfur” banners in front of their buildings, called their members of Congress and the White House, wrote op-eds and letters to the editors, and spread awareness throughout their communities.

As the RAC LA working on Darfur, I receive phone calls and emails every week, if not every day, from concerned congregants asking what they can do to help. And, as Mr. Kristof pointed out, your remarkable effort is making a difference; we must continue to pressure Sudan’s President Bashir until together, we stop the genocide.