Executive Order on Gun Violence is a Historic Step Toward Preventing Future Tragedies
WASHINGTON, D.C., January 5, 2016 — In response to the executive order announced today by President Obama to address gun violence, Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, issued the following statement:
Reform Leader Commends LGBTQ Task Force for Reversing Decision to Cancel Reception with Israeli Group
Dear Rea:
On behalf of the Union for Reform Judaism, whose more than 900 congregations across North America encompass 1.5 million Reform Jews, and the Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR), whose membership includes more than 2,000 Reform rabbis, I write to commend you for your renewed commitment to holding a reception sponsored by A Wider Bridge and featuring the Jerusalem Open House at your convention this week.
Reform Movement and GreenFaith Announce New Partnership
WASHINGTON, D.C. and HIGHLAND PARK, NJ, January 20, 2016 — Continuing a long history of collaboration the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism and GreenFaith have announced a major joint initiative to promote energy savings and greenhouse gas emissions reductions, environmental leadership training, advocacy, and strengthened inter-congregational learning among Reform congregations nationwide. The collaboration will engage more Reform congregations than ever before in environmental work, and with greater environmental impact.
RAC Leader Condemns Protests at LGBT Conference
Washington, D.C., January 25, 2016 – In response to hateful protests at a pro-Israel LGBT event...
RAC Leader Commends Executive Order on Solitary Confinement
Washington, D.C., January 26, 2016 – In response to President Obama’s executive order to limit the use of solitary confinement in federal prisons...
Reform Movement Appaulds Bipartisan Compromise on Senate Rules Reform
Saperstein: "While the compromise fails to address the unprecedented increase in the use of legislative filibusters, we are hopeful that this debate served as a wakeup call to the Senate.
Rollback of Reproductive Rights, Tone of Debate Must Change
Rabbi Saperstein: "We will continue to sound a strong, moral, Jewish voice for the full range of reproductive rights -- including the right to a safe and affordable abortion, the right to comprehensive sex education, and the right to accessible and affordable cont
House Vote to Repeal Health Reform Deeply Troubling
Pelavin: While we are pleased that the Senate is unlikely to consider this legislation, we nonetheless call on all Members of Congress to focus on legislative priorities that reflect our nation's commitment to life, liberty and happiness - none of which are possible wit
Troubling Comments Continue to Erode Public Discourse: Saperstein
Rabbi Saperstein: "Gov. Bentley and Rep. Cohen's comments, though different in context and word, erode the atmosphere of civility and open-mindedness that is indispensable to the health of our democracy."
Jewish Leader urges Death Penalty Repeal in Illinois
Saperstein: "It is clear that the application of the death penalty has, for far too long, been unfair; the racial and class disparities among those sentenced to death as compared to those who receive life imprisonment are stark."