Want a reason to be optimistic as we head into the New Year?

This video from the Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties introduces the remarkable winners of a remarkable program - The Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards. 

Every year, the San Francisco-based Helen Diller Family Foundation honors five Jewish teens for their exceptional community service and outstanding leadership in helping to repair the world.  The recipients of the Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards are each given $36,000 to use towards their college education or to further implement their vision of making the world a better place.

This year's recipients focus their work on cancer research, Darfur, global warming, abusive relationships and impoverished children around the world.

What a wonderful program! What powerful role models! If the future of our community, and our world, is in the hands of these remarkable teens, it is in good hands indeed.

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As creatures of habit, we like to have a plan.  On Sundays we watch football, on Yom Kippur we go to shul, on the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November we go to the polls and vote, and on Christmas we eat Chinese food and go to the movies.  But what about yesterday?  Today?  Tomorrow? What are we supposed to do on those days?  There's no specific schedule, no pre-written instructions on the calendar, no special event serving as an impetus for action.

Too often, the call to action comes too late.

Yesterday I watched the multiple award-winning documentary, "A Dream in Doubt."  It follows the aftermath of the first post-9/11 hate crime murder.  I watched the family of Rana Singh Sodhi, a Sikh who escaped religious persecution in India, deal with his brother's death and work with the community on the challenging path toward understanding and inclusion.

Afterward I had an opportunity to speak with the movie's producer.  We talked about the educational curricula associated with the film and community and college screenings he has been working on.  During our conversation he noted that unfortunately, interfaith programs to foster community and acceptance often come after tragedy.  Instead of reinforcing and solidifying structures already in place, we wait until something is broken before trying to fix it.

We shouldn't wait until Yom Hashoah to talk about the terror and destruction caused by hate, we shouldn't have to wait until Martin Luther King Day to talk about racism and inequality.

Why wait until we see a glaring problem to be mobilized to action?  There is so much we can do to mend our society and we can not expect problems to get fixed on their own.  So, throw out your calendar, don't wait for the 6 O'clock news, and go out and get to work.

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We are excited to announce that during the course of the Supreme Court term, RACBlog will be running a special series on the Future of the Court.  "Court Days" will feature postings from lawyers, Supreme Court experts, and Reform Movement activists on the cases being considered by the Supreme Court and other federal courts across the United States.  You will be able to identify the Court postings by this shiny new graphic!  Of course, if anything relevant arises on days that don't being with "Fri", we will be sure to share with you right here. 

We encourage you to stay tuned (subscribe, why don't you?) for updates and new postings.  If you are interested in being a guest blogger, have an idea, and just a comment on or for the series, please contact Jessica Weiser, Program Associate for Judicial Nominations.  

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Emily Schwartz is an intern at the Religious Action Center and a senior at The George Washington University.

When I Google the term "immigration," the first result to pop up is "Related searches: illegal immigration." The correlation is offsetting. Immigration is supposed to be a word that implies hope, a better life for the people immigrating. Yet the term has a negative stigma, and politicians don't want to talk about it.

Yesterday I attended a meeting with the Interfaith Immigration Coalition. Sitting around a conference table were a diverse group of individuals, and I was astounded by the array of different beliefs that must have existed in that room. Yet throughout the meeting, there was neither an argument nor disagreement, merely a common sharing of ideas. Everyone in that room, though coming from various backgrounds, agreed that comprehensive immigration reform was something worth fighting for.

In the past few weeks, I have been researching my family history for a class in school. Some of my grandparents and all of my great-grandparents immigrated to this country from different parts of Eastern Europe. The transition to becoming Americans wasn't easy, and it is because of their sacrifices that I enjoy freedoms and privileges today. The Torah tells us "The strangers who sojourn with you shall be to you as the natives among you, and you shall love them as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt" (Leviticus 19:33-34). Whether we are first, third or tenth generation Americans, we still owe it to those who were here before us that welcomed our families. 

In this election year, immigration has not been a hot-button topic. The Interfaith Immigration Coalition has been tirelessly working on a transition document the outlines the principles of immigration reform for the next administration. Comprehensive immigration reform, as outlined by the Reform Movement in 2006 includes requirements that all immigrants be treated justly with the basic principles of human dignity and human rights, border security reformation based on effectiveness and humanity, an earned pathway to citizenship for undocumented workers, and due process for detainees. 
 
These principles of comprehensive immigration reform come from a Jewish and a human concept of basic rights. The entire interfaith coalition agrees upon the need for reform based on these rights. The negative stigma surrounding "immigration" deserves to be changed. America is a country of immigrants. 

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I'm an I Love Lucy aficionado. I have seen every episode, can recite by heart the Vitametavegamin routine that ends with Lucy sloshed on the alcohol-laced health tonic, and know that the longest laugh the show recorded came when Lucy did the tango with a shirt stuffed full of raw eggs. But for my money, the funniest episode is called "Job Switching," where Lucy and Ethel get jobs in a candy factory. Watching Lucy-as-candy-wrapper try and keep up with the ever-faster conveyor belt of chocolates is watching a master comedian at her best.

Sometimes, I feel a bit like Lucy at Kramer's Kandy Kitchen. That's particularly true this week as Congress tries to work through myriad bills that have languished for months, while also dealing with the economic challenges on Wall Street, and trying to leave town to campaign before Election Day. The legislative team at the RAC has been busily strategizing, posting action alerts, firing off letters to members of Congress, issuing press releases, and trying to make sure that social justice values are reflected in our laws.

There's still much more to be done, but already we've seen some significant victories in the last four days. After years of failed attempts, the House and Senate have both passed identical mental health parity bills. Pressure needs to be put on Congress to make sure the bill gets to the President, but all signs look promising. And speaking of bills signed by the President, after 18 years of misguided court rulings limiting the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), today saw enactment of the ADA Amendments Act. Under the guidance of Rabbi Lynne Landsberg, the RAC has helped lead the Jewish community's advocacy on this bill, which will provide greater protection for those who face discrimination because of a disability. Today's victory, just before Rosh Hashanah, seemed sweeter than honey.

We're also happy about something that's NOT happening: namely, a Senate vote on a bill that would repeal a host of gun control laws in Washington DC. Our advocacy against the bill wasn't enough to stop its House passage last week, but working with a strong group of Senators, it looks as though a Senate vote isn't in the cards. We coordinated a joint effort of groups in the faith and civil rights communities to demonstrate the broad opposition to this bill, and it is gratifying to see positive results.

But above all, we were heartened by the decision this week of the U.S. Supreme Court to stay the execution of Georgia death row inmate Troy Davis. Mr. Davis was convicted of killing a police officer over 15 years ago. Yet there was no physical evidence linking him to the crime, and the prosecution's case was based entirely on the testimony of witnesses who have since recanted their statements. Many witnesses say their statements were, in fact, coerced by the police. For the past two years, we have weighed in with the Georgia State Parole Board to encourage them to review Mr. Davis's case, though Mr. Davis was again scheduled to be executed this past Tuesday. With two hours to go, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a last-minute stay, and this coming Monday will decide whether to hear his appeal. There are no second chances when it comes to the death penalty, and the Supreme Court's decision gives us hope that justice will truly be served.

This blog is already longer than Lucy's nose when she disguised herself to meet movie star William Holden, but I hope it gives you a taste of just a few days at the RAC this week. The victories have indeed been sweeter than any chocolate Lucy wrapped could be.

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Tuesday, in his opening statements at a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee, Senator Leahy declared, "I've tried as Chairman to have a series of hearings showing how court decisions . . . affect Americans' everyday lives." To this end, Tuesday's hearing was an exploration of how last year's Supreme Court decision in Ledbetter v. Goodyear will affect women across the country. The hearing also highlighted the Court's troubling trend of favoring employers over employees in discrimination cases.

In Ledbetter v. Goodyear, the Supreme Court defined a statute of limitations of 180 days on pay-discrimination cases.  They also abandoned a long-accepted precedent that each pay check could be considered an independent discriminatory act.   Essentially, this ruling severely limits the ability of individuals to take their cases of discrimination to court and it awards employers who effectively hide the discrimination that they are committing against their employees.

Tuesday's hearing featured testimony from Lily Ledbetter herself as well as testimonies from two lawyers with expertise in areas related to the case.  Cyrus Mehri brought to the Committee's attention a new and incredibly interesting study entitled "Employment Discrimination Plaintiffs in Federal Court: From Bad to Worse," which explores how the courts are treating employment discrimination plaintiffs.  Among other findings, the study revealed that 41% of cases won by plaintiffs (those being discriminated against) in the district courts are reversed when they are appealed while only 8.7% of cases are reversed if the defendant (employer) won the case.  In other words, the courts are nearly five times more likely to rule in favor of an employer on appeal.

This finding does not bode well for individuals who are attempting to be compensated for pay discrimination.  And, if there is one thing that we have learned from the Ledbetter case it's that, in the words of Senator Feinstein, "discrimination in the workplaces still exists."  In testimony and speeches, Ms. Ledbetter tells the stories countless women who have shared their experiences of discrimination with her and who are hoping for their chance to be treated equally to their male counterparts.

The words of Senator Durbin to Ms. Ledbetter were perhaps the most poignant and timely of the hearing, "you have also dramatized why elections are important.  Presidents pick judges.  Judges interpret laws.  If a President picks a judge who comes to it with a certain prejudice, people like you lose.  And that's what happened."

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In South Dakota this November, voters will be asked for the second time since 2006 to outlaw almost all abortions. Initiative Measure 11 would prohibit abortions except in cases where the mother's life or health is at a substantial and irreversible risk, and in cases of reported rape and incest. Voters rejected a more restrictive measure in 2006, but polls suggested voters would have supported an abortion ban if it included exceptions. 

A recent Washington Post article that interviews both supporters and opponents of the South Dakota ballot initiative illustrates the real threat that such a measure might pass, making abortions almost entirely illegal. Read the article here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/20/AR2008092002144_2.html?hpid=moreheadlines.

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As Congress is close to deciding whether or not to pass the Jubilee Act, which would expand eligibility for debt relief for developing countries and further clear the way for poverty reduction, I thought it would be an appropriate time to bring up one of my favorite topics: studying abroad in Ghana.

While I was in Ghana, I was fortunate enough to volunteer with the Maine-Ghana Youth Network, a community-led organization that seeks to give opportunity to students in the poor community of Kissehman.

Every day community members work with Kissehman students on their school work and they also teach them skills like basket weaving and traditional dancing and drumming. The students sell their baskets to raise money to help them pay for school supplies and exam fees and their dancing, drumming and basket weaving program. While these activities sound almost like a fun URJ camp, they are actually an important way to make sure the students can afford to go to school (rather than work full-time) and gain marketable skills for the future. Many of the teen girls who befriended me were reading at a first or second grade level and had very little education until recently. Without the Maine-Ghana Youth Network, it is likely that the barriers to education would be too high, and many students would be unable to attend school at all.

School attendance is relatively high in Ghana. Developing countries with school fees are in an even more dire situation regarding education. School fees are often required when countries are making debt payments, but debt relief allows countries to refocus funds towards education, eliminating school fees. After Tanzania received debt relief and school fees were eliminated, 1.5 million children returned to school! The Jubilee Act will expand eligibility for debt cancellation and calls for an audit of odious and illegitimate debts. It is an important step in the effort to reduce debt and reduce international poverty. You can urge the Senate to pass the Jubilee Act here.

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We live in a world obsessed with technology, speed, and efficiency. When I hear about people in our society taking intentional steps towards a slower, more traditional way of life, I tend to take notice.That is exactly what is happening with the 'walk to school' movements popping up in Massachusetts and around the world. Parents and children are making the conscious decision to walk more and drive less, and are doing so at a time when speed and safety are both paramount concerns for families.

Why is this happening right now? Sure, walking is great exercise, gives children time to spend outside with their peers and parents, and helps school districts cut budgets for fueling up buses. All of these are great reasons to walk, and to ensure that walking is safe by coordinating public programs for kids. However, the movement is also driven by (surprise surprise!) a desire to conserve energy and lower our carbon footprint. According to Sierra Magazine, "If every American spent 30 minutes a day walking or cycling instead of driving, the citizenry would collectively cut carbon emissions by 64 million tons." The leaders of this movement are literally walking the walk by teaching their kids to go green with their everyday life choices. And this is wonderful news for all of us, serving as a reminder that we all can take small steps towards a cleaner, more livable world.

There is a Native American proverb that has come to wide use within the environmental community, which explains that "We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children." The walk to school movement reminds us that we are connected both to each other and to our earth, and can act everyday to keep this connection strong, so that our children may inherit a planet to be proud of. So take a walk, or a bike ride, to school or work or worship this week, and remember that your steps, and the footprints they leave behind, make a difference.

Posted by Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism at 10:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Sandi Kleinman is the RAC's Administrative Director.

For the past nine months, I've been working on trying to change our electricity at the RAC from brown to green power while staying within our budget. I'm now pleased to report that we were able to contract for 100% green (wind) power, which is reflective of our environmental concerns and the reality of our budget. This has been an interesting process, one I thought I'd share in the hope of helping those looking to do the same.

Since the deregulation of electric companies, there are now many to choose from. After contacting a number of suppliers and receiving quotes, I settled on working with Constellation NewEnergy, one of the largest suppliers in the area - no hard sell, lots of patience, and lots of time spent explaining how this crazy business works.

Then came the aggravating part, and I realized why I never aspired to a career on Wall Street. Power prices fluctuate according to market conditions, changing daily and seasonally. The challenge is to try to lock in a price for a contracted period of time when you think the price is at the lowest point. Who knew in December that oil prices would continue to climb to historic rates? Each quote I received as time went on got higher. Finally, oil prices began to come down, and I locked in to a price that was comparable to what we're presently paying for brown power.

Unsurprisingly, I learned that the greener the power, the higher the cost. I also learned, though, that when you purchase green power, that amount of green power goes into a big grid of all the customers, so the more people who buy green, the higher the probability that the power entering our building will actually be green.

Did I lock-in the lowest price? (Who said the market is nothing but a crap shoot?!) I don't know, but I did make an informed decision that accomplished the RAC's and my goal of going green and saving a little green (the monetary kind!) of our own.

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Emily Schwartz is an intern at the Religious Action Center and a senior at The George Washington University.

Picture this: giant solar panels powering skyscrapers, dirty coal plants shaping up or shutting down, less traffic on the roads, rooftop gardens filled with trees and flowers as far as the eye can see. Sound like a dream?

It is. This is my dream and the dream of millions of people like me who want to see real change in order to preserve a sustainable future. Now, thanks to the hard work of scientists, politicians and environmentalists, this dream is in reach. Late last week, Mayor Richard Daley of Chicago announced a new multi-faceted plan of action to combat global warming. 

This aggressive plan will turn the Windy City into one of the greenest cities in the country, with more energy-efficient buildings, clean and renewable energy sources, improved transportation, and reduced waste and industrial pollution.

The plan complies with emission reductions outlined in the Kyoto Protocol, saying we need to reduce the emissions of heat-trapping gases 25 percent from their 1990 levels. These levels were determined by a group of experts who researched area-specific effects of climate change. 

Encompassing everyone, there are initiatives for big businesses as well as individual households. Chicago skyscrapers will be competing for the most efficient buildings; private consumers will learn ways to save hundreds of dollars while reducing harmful emissions.

A highlight of the plan includes an $800 savings challenge. There are dozens of easy, environmentally friendly ways to save money that quickly add up to a whopping $800 a year! Speaking as a college student who needs to make her dollars count, this is great news. 

Chicago has taken a bold and necessary step in the fight against global warming. Mayor Daley and other environmental leaders want the city to serve as a model for the rest of the country. They set the bar in new environmental policy; it is time for the rest of the nation to follow. This dream is attainable in Chicago, in America, and the entire world. 

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The first Monday in October is fast approaching and as the Supreme Court prepares for its upcoming term, the newspapers have once again started to focus their attention on its activities.  The following three articles are definitely worth reading if you want to stay up-to-date:

Court Seeks Briefs on Rehearing Capital Case. 
Washington Post: September 9, 2008
The Court is considering rehearing a case from last term that ruled that the death penalty cannot be imposed for the crime of child rape.  When making their decisions, the Justices were unaware that Congress had approved the death penalty as punishment for child rape in the military context in 2006. 

U.S. Court is Now Guiding Fewer Nations. 
New York Times: September 18, 2008
Foreign high courts seem to relying less and less on United States jurisprudence when making their own legal rulings.  And the Supreme Court Justices remain divided over whether to cite foreign law in their own legal opinions.

Drug Label, Maimed Patient and Crucial Test For Justices. 
New York Times: September 19, 2008
An upcoming case will explore the question (in the words of the article): Do the F.D.A. and other federal regulators set minimum safety standards that states are free to augment? Or do they make judgments about the optimal balance between risks and benefits that states must follow?

These articles are only the first of many that will follow the Supreme Court through its term, beginning on October 6th.  We will do our best to use the blog to provide you with links to the most interesting and relevant material that we find on the web.

 

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In the history of televised presidential debates, only two questions have ever been asked regarding the candidates' stances on global poverty. This election season, the ONE Campaign aims to increase that meager number by ensuring that presidential hopefuls John McCain and Barack Obama are confronted with "Just ONE Question" about their plans to combat issues of global poverty.

Regardless of who you plan to vote for this November, the only way to be informed of the candidates' views is to ensure that they answer questions on issues that matter the most to you. Yesterday, the One Campaign launched its Just ONE Question initiative, circulating a petition that urges debate moderator Jim Lehrer to make sure a question about global poverty is included in the first Presidential debate, held September 26th debate in Oxford, Mississippi. The One Campaign's goal is to gather 100,000 petition signatures; in one day alone, more than 50,000 Americans have already signed on, including me.

Our tradition teaches us, "There is nothing in the world more grievous than poverty -- the most terrible of sufferings. Our teachers said: All the troubles of the world are assembled on one side and poverty is on the other," (Midrash Rabbah Exodus 31:12). With that in mind, this week the Union for Reform Judaism took part in an interfaith initiative called Fighting Poverty with Faith, a week of action designed to bring attention to issues of global poverty through various forms of advocacy and programming. But just because the week is over doesn't mean our obligations to tikkun olam end with it. I encourage you to sign the Just ONE Question petition to help bring crucial issues of global poverty to the forefront of American political discussion.

Posted by Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism at 11:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

On September 17^th, Israeli members of the Kadima party headed to the polls to select a leader to replace Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni won a narrow victory over Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz. So what's next? As the new leader of the Kadima party, Livni will now attempt to form a new government coalition; failure to do so will lead to early elections, most likely in March 2009. 

Posted by Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism at 10:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Can't figure out where the quote that lends title to this blog comes from? Here's a hint- imagine it spoken with a British accent on, say, a pirate ship in the Caribbean. Unfortunately, unlike the "guideline" of parlay on a pirate ship, the new guidelines handed down by FBI Director Mueller and Attorney General Mukasey are in fact rules, not merely guidelines.

The guidelines, technically called the Attorney General Guidelines for Domestic FBI Operations, in theory seem alright. Says Mueller: they will help "ensure that suspicious behavior is investigated," they "replace five separate sets of guidelines with a single set of rules to govern the domestic activities of our employees", and finally, they "are not designed to give, and do not give, the FBI any broad new authorities."

If only it were that simple. There are two factors that have many organizations and Members of Congress concerned about potential civil rights and civil liberties violations. Factor one: the process of creating and unveiling the guidelines. Factor two: the guidelines themselves.

There has been a significant lack of transparency on the part of the FBI and Department of Justice on the guidelines themselves. The guidelines still have yet to be made public. After pleas for public review of the guidelines, the FBI held a briefing this past Friday for journalists and civil-rights and civil-liberties groups. Unfortunately, the briefing operated under "strict rules for those attending. The officials provided numbered copies of the roughly 50-page draft guidelines and allowed those in the briefing to read the document for 30 minutes before they were allowed to ask questions. Officials said the documents were still considered "drafts," and journalists were prohibited from quoting specific portions of the guidelines or from naming the officials who conducted the briefing."

This morning, Director Mueller testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee, and yesterday did so before the House Judiciary Committee. However, his appearance before the committees was scheduled only after members of Congress expressed outrage over being kept in the dark, unable to perform their constitutionally mandated oversight responsibilities.

As for the guidelines themselves, there is a concern that they will lead to abuses of civil rights and liberties, such as racial profiling. In yesterday's hearing, Mueller "told the House Judiciary Committee that FBI agents would no longer need solid evidence or allegations of wrongdoing to spy on Americans even before opening investigations." In the hearing this morning, Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) summarized a few of the objections to the guidelines such as the lack of supervisory structure laid out by the guidelines to review these new investigations.

It seems that Congressional objection regardless, the guidelines will go into effect October 1st, and despite being in "draft" form, there are reports that agents are already being trained on the new guidelines. As a pirate might say, "Arghhhhhh."

Posted by Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism at 6:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Even pessimistic Stephen Colbert can get excited about netraising. Just $10 can save a life by sending a bed net to Africa to prevent malaria! Check out Stephen Colbert's interview with Rick Reilly from Nothing But Nets and get involved with the Union for Reform Judaism's netraising team.

Thanks to the efforts of B'nai Mitzvah, congregations and other creative netraisers, the URJ is almost halfway to its goal of sending 50,000 nets to stop the spread of malaria in Chad and the Central African Republic. Send a Net, Save a Life!

 

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Millions of Americans spent their August nights glued to the TV watching Michael Phelps obtain a record-breaking eight gold medals and Nastia Liukin prove herself to be the best gymnast in the world. This month, such feats of athletic achievement continue in Beijing and are just as amazing as they were last month - except this time, the Olympians are all individuals with disabilities.

The 2008 Paralympics began last weekend in Beijing and will continue until through tomorrow. Olympic enthusiasts, take heed - although these athletes aren't generating the media attention Phelps, Liukin and their fellow August athletes did, their stories are just as - if not more - incredible. Here's a sampling:

• United States swimmer Melissa Stockwell is one of 15 disabled military veterans competing in the Paralympics. She began swimming competitively four years ago after losing a leg in a roadside bombing in Baghdad.
• Great Britain's David Roberts, an athlete with cerebral palsy, is aiming to win a whopping five gold medals in swimming, having won seven titles at the last Paralympics.
• United States Paralympian Barbara Buchan sustained a brain injury after a cycling accident 26 years ago. Last week, the 52-year-old Buchan (the U.S. Paralympics team's oldest athlete) broke a world record and won a gold medal in her disability class' individual 3,000-meter cycling pursuit.

Paralympics stories like these are innumerous, and the reception these athletes have received in China, a country not known for inclusivity of its disabled population, has been downright surprising - in the best way possibly. And although it's a likely but unfortunate assumption to say that we probably won't see any of these athletes on the side of a Frosted Flakes box or making $100 million in post-games endorsements, the accomplishments of the Paralympics athletes are nothing short of phenomenally inspiring - I hope you'll join me in watching the closing ceremony tomorrow evening.

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It has not taken me long to learn that, in Washington, nothing is as simple as it seems, and nothing comes easily. There are countless important issues facing our nation- from economic security to the War in Iraq to the climate crisis- and all demand immediate attention from our elected officials. 
These complex challenges provide amazing opportunities for activism, and I know that this is why the other legislative assistants and I already love our life at the RAC. However, this also means a constant need for compromise for Congressmen, coalition partners, and constituents alike.

As Congress came back from summer recess last Tuesday, the buzz around town surrounded the upcoming House energy bill. Things seemed to be moving at breakneck speed as Speaker Pelosi promised a bill extending tax credits for solar and wind power, possibly by compromising on demands for offshore drilling, and Republicans countered with their own proposals. However, as of this morning no official bill text is available. There are several energy ideas floating around the Senate as well, with little certainty about what will come to the floor for a vote in the upcoming weeks.

As scarce as information seems, the window for action is equally short- Congress adjourns at the end of the month and will not return (if they decide to come back this year at all), until after the November election. As economists explain, we are stuck in a situation of information asymmetry- we, and our representatives, are expected to decide where we stand on the issues without full knowledge of the content of the debate. Just as our representatives compromise to get things done, we as advocates must compromise our desire to wait for perfect information, or risk losing our opportunity to speak out on important issues when it matters most.

Luckily, we know what to ask for- a comprehensive energy package that uses tax incentives to encourage clean, renewable energy and discourage further development of fossil fuels, even those produced at home. We also demand protections for the poor, who are most vulnerable to rising energy costs, especially as we head into the winter months. These issues will move forward rapidly in the next couple weeks, and I encourage everyone to take action to support a clean energy future. And from my end, I promise to do my best to keep up and keep you in the loop!

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When I walked into a panel discussion on "Same-Sex Marriage and Religious Liberty," I anticipated hearing arguments for and against same-sex civil marriage based on challenges to religious liberty.  In actuality, the discussion was infinitely more fascinating and complex. 
The speakers were four contributors to a book conveniently titled Same-Sex Marriage and Religious Liberty, which will shortly be released.

The authors cover the spectrum of positions on same-sex marriage and, in fact, the debate over same sex marriage itself is not their focus.  Instead, they assume that legal same-sex civil marriage is the reality toward which we're heading.  They consider the implications for individual religious liberty in a world in which same-sex civil marriage is legal.

My favorite speaker of the evening, Chai R. Feldblum, made the point that there is a tendency on both sides of the same-sex civil marriage debate to simply say "get over it" to each other.  LGBT activists often say to the religious right, "get over it: we're not going to change" and hear in return "get over it: we don't condone your lifestyle and never will."  Feldblum says instead, both sides must find compromises that ensure the rights of homosexual couples are equal to those of heterosexual couples and the rights of individuals to stay true to their religious beliefs will be protected.

This is the central issue raised in the book: how to protect the rights of same-sex couples while simultaneously protecting the rights of individuals to dissent.   After all, being a country that places a premium on freedom of speech, freedom of religion and equal rights means that we must protect the rights of even those who, in the words of fictitious President Andy Shepherd from the 1996 film "The American President," advocate "at the top of [their] lungs that which you would spend a lifetime opposing at the top of yours."

The speakers noted that "marriage" is a government area in which there is no real separation of church and state.  They suggest separating marriage into a religious or government institution, instead of its present murky status as both, as a way to take some of the emotion out of the debate.  They also note that California, for example, has already taken such a step by saying the California government is now required to perform same-sex marriages, while California clergy are not.

While we must to continue to fight the fight for civil marriage equality, we must still remember to consider the rights and beliefs of those whose beliefs differ on the issue of religious marriage.  We often ask those who disagree with us to find value in our opinion and agree to disagree.  We must in turn be sure to afford the same right to those with whom we disagree. 

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Yesterday morning, I attended a confirmation hearing in the Senate's Judiciary Committee for five District Court nominees and a new United States Solicitor General. The set of nominees that was being considered was altogether uncontroversial, and the hearing did not elicit much press interest. The only aspect of the hearing that attracted attention was the late addition of two nominees to Colorado's District Court.

I attended the hearing to witness this step of the judicial nominations process and gain a better understanding of the characteristics and qualities the Committee members seek in judges. I was most interested to hear the three questions (in some form) that Chairman Leahy asked each potential judge:

1) Do you believe that you can be an impartial judge to whoever is before you, regardless of race, class, creed, etc.? 

2) Do you think that anyone, including the President and the Members of Congress, is above the law? 

3) In what situations would you recuse yourself from a case and do you believe that you will be able to do so? 

If potential judges answer these questions honestly, perhaps we will be able to make steps toward confirming balanced and fair judges who will remain unbiased throughout their lifetime appointments.

These hearings were likely the last of their kind during this Congress, but 44 vacancies remain in the federal judiciary. With a new Administration and a new Congress, filling these seats will certainly be a priority. We have a responsibility to make our voices heard throughout the process.

Posted by Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism at 12:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

What's the big secret about American teenage life?

Sex.

And The Secret Life of the American Teenager, the new television series on ABC Family, which aired its season finale on Tuesday, September 9^th, is bringing that secret out from the high school hallways and into the living rooms of 2.82 million teenage homes. 

The show follows 15-year-old Amy Jergins, a band geek who is described by ABC Family as "smart, talented...and pregnant." Also center stage is "super-Christian  cheerleader" Grace who wants to wait until she's married, and "wild-child" Adrian who is casually having sex with "bad-boy" Ricky. (And, if I haven't already lost you, Ricky is also the father of Amy's future child, Grace's mom used to be married to Amy's dad, and Amy's dad is having an affair with Adrian's mom. Just your typical high school drama, right?)

The Secret Life addresses a number of important, sensitive subjects: abortion, abstinence, sexual abuse, condoms, mental illness, prostitution, marriage, the emotional implications of casual sex and cheating, to name a few. Sometimes the portrayal of these issues can feel a little preachy, and I don't always agree with the message which at times seems to glorify Grace's "abstinence-only till marriage" message while scorning abortion. And where is the gay or lesbian character? Or the one with a sexually transmitted disease? Maybe next season...

That said, I love The Secret Life, and not just because the teenage drama is totally addicting (though it is). I love The Secret Life because it is the comprehensive sexuality education that too many teenagers are not getting in the classroom. And because it is giving teens and parents an outlet for discussing sex. In fact, ABC Family ends each episode with a public service message from the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, delivered by Shailene Woodley (who plays the character of Amy Jergins), urging parents and teens to talk to each other about sex.

If you have teenage kids (or if you are a teenager), The Secret Life of the American Teenager is a great way to engage in the too-often ignored issue of sex. For information on how to talk to your kids about sex, or for discussion guides for each Secret Life episode, visit www.thenationalcampaign.org.

Posted by Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism at 11:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

While gay, lesbian and bisexual characters have been popping up in prime time TV shows for years now (with increasingly more positive roles and to increasingly more affirmative audience reception), transgender characters had been few and far between - until now.

This season of the CW's "America's Next Top Model," hosted by supermodel Tyra Banks, features contestant Isis Tsunami, a male-to-female transgender woman who aspires to be... well, America's next top model, obviously. It should be noted that Isis is certainly not the first transgender woman to break into modern reality TV, or even into the modeling industry - Laverne Cox is a current contestant on VH1's "I Want to Work for Diddy" and in the past, transgender models have starred in ads for both Chanel and Todd Oldham. Still, Isis has whipped up a small media frenzy since the CW announced she'd be a "Top Model" contestant.

Thus far, the reviews have been mixed. A few contestants have been explicitly insulting, referring to leggy, lean Isis as a a cross-dresser and a he-she, among others. "America's Next Top Model is not going to be a drag queen," one contestant says. Luckily, others have been far more welcoming, even reverent, calling Isis a strong woman and a formidable modeling opponent. Contestant McKey, a boxer, says, "In the situation that [Isis] is in, you'd think that she'd want to hide everything, but she's open, she's forthwith, she's not gonna hide who she is from anybody. I'm a big fighter girl and I think that she is, like, tenfold more brave than I am."

Like McKey, I, for one, am thrilled to see a transgender woman debut on the show and have a lot of respect for Isis' drive to succeed in such a femininity-driven industry - and, of course, for her ability to model bikinis given her pre-op bodily status. I have to wonder, though: Is Isis' presence on the show a gimmick designed to increase viewing of a dying television series? Or is it true evidence of social progression in the entertainment industry? For society's sake, I very much hope it's the latter. 

Posted by Religious Action Center at 10:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

High energy costs and destructive hurricanes are just two of the latest incidents previewing the dangerous future likely to occur due to climate change. So far, though we are confronted by these great challenges, our policy responses to climate change (and the ensuing geopolitical instability) have been timid and insufficient. Combating climate charge and achieving energy independence is not just an environmental, but a national security priority, so replacements to our current system of fossil fuels must be sought as quickly as possible. When scientists declare that we should reduce emissions at least 80 percent below 2000 levels by 2050, strong, immediate action must be taken.

As our lawmakers design legislation to address this challenge, a great example can be found in Israel, where Israeli start-up company Better Place, in partnership with the government, aims to replace all of Israel's cars with electric models powered by clean, renewable energy. Founder Shai Agassi, a former Silicon Valley executive, claims that the switch to a network of charging stations powered by solar energy "could produce a 20 percent drop in CO₂ emissions." Successful demonstration of the Better Place model in Israel would drive new demand for renewable energy, reshape the economics of energy, and thus render coal plants obsolete, leading to a further "40 percent [reduction] of CO₂ emissions."

All told, the project aims to make Israel oil-independent no later than 2020. Success in Israel, leading to widespread adoption of similar technologies, might make it possible for the world to meet the emissions reduction targets presented by climate scientists.

As Congress debates energy legislation, the bold action taken by the Israeli government to support the transition away from fossil fuels stands as a powerful example. An essential partner in the project, the Israeli government is providing the necessary changes to the tax structure that enable the Better Place project to get off of the ground. In an unexpected way, Israel is striving to be a "light unto the nations," acting as a global leader in renewable technology,  demonstrating to our government the possibilities of bold action to combat climate change, achieve energy independence, and build a sustainable future.

Posted by Religious Action Center at 9:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

As evacuees return to their homes in and around New Orleans, we take a moment to mourn the losses in the towns that were hit, and are thankful that Hurricane Gustav spared the city and its residents a repeat of Katrina. However, the storm serves as yet another reminder that the effects of global climate change are real and are upon us. The number of category 4 and 5 hurricanes has increased in recent years, and the trend is not improving. Climate change is no longer a phenomenon of the future, and we can no longer pretend that we will be able to avoid the consequences of radically unpredictable weather patterns.

But as Al Gore reminded us in "An Inconvenient Truth", we need not despair. Rather, this is a time for action, and opportunities are abundant. When Congress returns from its summer recess this week, there will be a short but critical window to push for progressive energy and climate change policy. Both presidential candidates have made climate change and energy issues central to their campaign platforms (Obama's and McCain's), promising that this will continue to be a 'hot' issue in the months and years to come.

The Torah commands us to take care of the only home we have; as it says in Genesis 2:15, "The human being was placed in the Garden of Eden to till it and to tend it." If you are looking to go green in your home or home synagogue, the RAC issue pages, Commission on Social Action program bank, and the Ask Umbra column on the environmental clearinghouse grist provide abundant resources on what individuals and congregations can do both to reduce personal carbon footprints, and become advocates for stronger public policy to protect our Earth. Check out these resources to find the best way for you to act, and then let us know what you are doing to fight climate change.

Posted by Religious Action Center at 4:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

While many people probably spent Labor Day weekend relaxing with family and friends, I spent mine glued to the television watching news coverage of Hurricane Gustav. As a Tulane graduate, Katrina survivor, and lover of all things New Orleans, the possibility of another catastrophe in the Gulf Coast was simply unimaginable.

I watched and I watched and I watched. When MSNBC switched news stories, I switched to CBS. When CBS dared show a commercial, I switched to ABC. I rekindled my love affair with Anderson Cooper. I renewed my promise to reduce my carbon footprint and do my part to end climate change. I called my friends in New Orleans to make sure they were safe.
And I prayed.

But as Gustav strengthened and the 'cone of probability' narrowed, all I could think was, "New Orleans is not ready for this."

Thankfully, we all know the good news: Gustav weakened as it crossed the Gulf Coast, making landfall west of New Orleans as a Category Two hurricane and doing relatively minor damage. But I hope that Gustav can serve as a reminder that our work in New Orleans is not done yet.

The rebuilding of the levees post-Katrina is not scheduled to be completed until 2011, and even then they will only be built to sustain up to a Category Three hurricane. But New Orleans' fragility is not only in its infrastructure; three years after Katrina devastated the city and took thousands of lives, the people of New Orleans are only just beginning to regain their chaotic, joyful, jazzy beat. Though many homes are rebuilt and the FEMA trailers are mostly gone, some wounds remain and others have left deep scars. From the continued prevalence of violent crime to the state of disrepair of public education, from the homeless forced to live in "tent city" to the business owners struggling to get by with few tourists, the New Orleans I love so much is still hurting.

To learn how you can get involved in helping New Orleans rebuild, check out the URJ's Gulf Coast Volunteer Opportunities. Additionally, while Gustav caused little damage to New Orleans, other parts of the Gulf Coast were not so lucky - ask your local Red Cross how you can help.

Posted by Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism at 2:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

This week marks the first week of the Hebrew month of Elul. During Elul, my mom calls me every day to blow the shofar over the phone, to get us ready for the High Holy Days. I have always been taught that the shofar was meant to be a kind of alarm that roused us from our normal lives and instructed us to prepare for the new year and the days of awe.

For me, Elul has also always marked the end o