March 21, 2013
This piece was originally published on February 16 in the Jewish Daily Forward.
Let us speak of SNAP.
“SNAP?,” you ask. “What is SNAP?”
SNAP is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly know and still best recognized as the food stamp program. And now it is in danger.
March 20, 2013
This post is part of our Passover series, in which we think about the application of our age-old Passover story and traditions to the crucial issues we face today. For ways to infuse your seder with social justice, see our holiday guide.
Passover is a special time when we gather with family and friends to retell the story of our people’s freedom from bondage. We read from the haggadah and delve into the Exodus story, perform rituals that are thousands of years old, and eat a bounty of delicious and symbolic foods. Unfortunately, not everyone is fortunate enough to enjoy the luxury of a festive meal, let alone the assurance of eating regularly.
March 14, 2013
As the House and the Senate release and mark up their budgets this week, there’s a lot of jargon being tossed around. You may have heard that the House-proposed budget include “block grants” for SNAP and Medicaid. What does that mean – and why should Jews care?
March 11, 2013
You may remember in September I asked you to take action to protect SNAP, a vital anti-hunger program, in the upcoming Farm Bill. Well, the theme of this year seems to be “upcoming,” as the Farm Bill is still being negotiated. So I have some good news and some bad news for you.
March 7, 2013
We frequently hear about the benefits of free or reduced-price school lunches, but what about breakfast? Join me in honor of National School Breakfast Week by learning a bit about why breakfast is truly the most important meal of the day.
March 5, 2013
In response to Congress’ failure to reach a budget agreement and the triggering of sequestration, Rabbi David Saperstein, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, issued the following statement:
February 26, 2013
On Purim we read about Esther
And how Haman’s plot didn’t best her
But this year there’s more
Evil plotting in store
As we worry about the sequester.
–Rabbi Joe Black
February 25, 2013
As I mentioned last week, I was in LA for NFTY convention this past weekend – and I had a ball. The NFTY staff is phenomenal and put on what is one of the best events I’ve ever been part of. What struck me most is that, as you’d expect in any gathering of 800 teens, there’s a lot of differences among the participants. Some are sporty, some introverted, some like the late night concerts, some are whizzes at Jewish text and liturgy. Yet despite the range of interests and skills, there was space and opportunities for all. I was also impressed by the quality of the conversations I had with the NFTYites in the sessions I ran, talking about “light” topics like torture and mental health. The teens were engaged, thoughtful, and smart. Best of all, about 20% of convention participants were alumni of L’Taken!
© 2013 Fresh Updates from RAC. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by WordPress. Designed by 
