Today, Rabbi David Saperstein addressed the tens of thousands amassed at Denver's Invesco Field for the Democratic National Convention. The full text of Rabbi Saperstein's invocation follows after the jump and full video is here:

Eternal God, you ennoble our lives by empowering us to do your work here on earth in creating a world of justice and peace for all. We pray for America, that it may ever be a light unto the nations, a beacon of freedom, human rights and economic opportunity. The protector of this precious earth, which you have entrusted to our care, may your name be invoked only to inspire and unify our nation but never to divide it.

We ask your blessing on all the leaders of our nation, that they may lead wisely and with civility and work together for the common good, and we ask especially that you be with that mighty guardian of the contemporary American conscience, Edward Kennedy. We ask that you send your blessing on Joseph Biden and now, on this historic day, upon Barack Obama, as candidate for the highest political office in our nation. Guide him that he may ever be a champion for justice.

These things we ask of you, Eternal God, in the sunshine of renewed dreams, committed that the torch of hope shall pass from hand to hand, from heart to heart, until the radiance of peace and righteousness for all God's children shines to the ends of the earth. Amen.

Posted by Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism at 4:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Rabbi Don Goor of Temple Judea in Tarzana, CA, forwarded this video to a colleague of mine. Called "Jewish Mother on Proposition 8," it features 88-year-old Molly Pier, the mother of a gay doctor who passed away in 1989, as she recounts the story of his love for his partner - whom she considers a fourth son.

This November, Californians will have the opportunity to vote on Proposition 8, a ballot initiative that, if passed, would amend the state constitution to define marriage as being solely between a man and a woman. Two other states face similar initiatives: Florida's Amendment 2 and Arizona's Proposition 102 would both amend their state constitutions to ban same-sex marriage.

It seems impossible not be affected by stories like Molly's. At the end of the video, she says, "I support marriage equality to the nth degree." If you're a Californian, Floridian or Arizonan who feels the same way, I encourage you to vote no on the proposed ballot initiatives in your state come Election Day.

Posted by Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism at 4:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

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Posted by Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism at 4:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Rabbi David Saperstein will invocate the DNC's headline program on Thursday night! Much better than his previous plans of milling about Denver looking for tickets to the big event. (I kid, I kid...)

There's more! Orthodox and other Rabbis were on deck as well at the Interfaith Caucus, as were leaders from a ton of different faith groups.

Many folks felt that this was too much mixing of religion and politics, etc. Others disagreed. This post isn't about that - it's about Rabbi Saperstein's receiving such an honor!

Posted by Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism at 4:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I didn't exactly grow up in the most open-minded of cities myself, but yesterday's MSNBC story on a Florida high school principal's blatant discrimination against a gay student absolutely floored me.

When the teenage girl, a lesbian, went to her principal at Ponce de Leon High School to ask him to help put an end to her classmates' teasing, MSNBC reported, "he told her homosexuality is wrong, outed her to her parents and ordered her to stay away from children." When her friends showed their support for her by wearing pro-equality t-shirts, they were suspended.

At the behest of the mother of one of those suspended student supporters, the American Civil Liberties Union stepped in to sue the school district and won. Still, many Ponce de Leon residents have sided with the (now former) principal - they don't understand what he did wrong and don't like being criticized for their opposition to homosexuality.

This sad story serves as yet another reminder of how far this country has to go in the fight for equal rights, highlighting the importance of the work being done by pro-equality organizations such as the Religious Action Center. As we anticipate the November elections, I've got my fingers crossed that no matter who sits in the Oval Office come January, he will encourage our lawmakers to enact laws that both protect and respect GLBT individuals.

Posted by Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism at 3:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I'm a bit behind in my reading, and have only just now had a chance to read Richard Just's devastating cover story in the 8/27/08 issue of the New Republic, "The Truth Will Not Set You Free: Everything we know about Darfur, and everything we're not doing about it."  

Just's essay is an extended review of ten recent books about conflict in Darfur - histories, reporting on recent diplomatic activities, and memoirs.  Although he offers a valuable review of the large and growing literature his main point, made none too subtlety, is this:

"the sheer volume of historical, anthropological, and narrative detail available to public about the genocide [in Darfur] is staggering.  In the case of genocide in Darfur, ignorance has never been possible.  But the genocide continues.  We document what we do not stop.  The truth does not set anybody free."

Just writes quite interestingly about the Save Darfur "Movement," giving it credit for sparking a new wave of activism in America and around the world.  He also offers this powerful critique of the activists (including, I suppose, our own work):

"It is not enough for a constituency demand that the government act.  It must be willing to demand that the government act in ways that will actually stop the killing.  It must be willing to support the use of power."  (Emphasis in original)

This is essential reading, especially for those like me, who thought that we understood the magnitude of the tragedy.  Just shows us exactly how wrong we were.

Posted by Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism at 12:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

It is hard to think of anyone who is playing a more interesting role in American public life today than Rick Warren, who is the subject of a cover story in Time Magazine this week.

Warren's day job is as Pastor of one of the nation's largest churches - Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, CA.  He is also a best-selling author, and, as the Time article makes clear, an increasingly important voice in addressing global poverty.  Some readers might also remember his presentation at the Union for Reform Judaism's Biennial Convention in San Diego.  If you missed it, or just want to see it again, the video is here.

I had the opportunity to spend some time with Warren in San Diego.  He was just off a much-delayed cross-country flight, and he was by far the most energetic person in a room of 5,000 people!  I certainly don't agree with Warren on every issue (including critical ones such as abortion and gay rights), but I am impressed with the work he is doing to expand the agenda of not only his own church, but of the broader Evangelical community.

Later this month, Warren will host the Saddleback Civil Forum on the Presidency, with special guests Senators McCain and Obama.  I am not sure that anyone else could bring the two Presidential candidates together right now.  For us political junkies, it is truly "must see TV."

Posted by Religious Action Center at 9:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)