Reform Jewish Movement Condemns Decision to Allow Discrimination in Foster Care System
Rabbi Pesner's Statement on Party Platform Draft Progress
Washington, D.C., July 6, 2016 – In response to the release of the draft 2016 Democratic Party Platform, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner issued the following statement:
Reform Movement Reacts to Week of Tragic Violence
Washington, D.C., July 8, 2016 – In response to the police shooting deaths of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile and the deaths of the five police officers in Dallas, Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, issued the following statement:
Interfaith Sign-on Letter in Opposition of First Amendment Defense Act
In advance of tomorrow’s hearings on Religious Liberty and H.R. 2802, the ‘First Amendment Defense Act’ (FADA), the undersigned organizations, representing a diverse group of beliefs and faith traditions, write to express our opposition to this measure, (S. 1598/H.R. 2802), introduced by Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) and Representative Raúl Labrador (R-ID). We would ask that this letter be included as part of the official hearings record.
Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner's Testimony in Opposition to First Amendment Defense Act
On behalf of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ), whose over 900 congregations include over 1.5 million Reform Jews across North America, and the Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR), which represents over 2,000 Reform rabbis, I submit this statement for the record in strong opposition to the First Amendment Defense Act, H.R. 2802
Reform Movement Leader Mourns Loss of Life in Nice
Washington, D.C., July 15, 2016 – In response to a deadly attack on French citizens yesterday in the town of Nice, France, Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, issued the following statement:
Reform Movement Leaders Reaffirm Commitment to Racial Justice, Condemn Movement for Black Lives Platform Language on Israel
Washington, D.C., August 4, 2016 – In response to the release of the Movement for Black Lives Policy Platform, Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, issued the following statement on behalf of the Union for Reform Judaism, the Central Conference of American Rabbis, ARZA: The Association of Reform Zionists of America, the American Conference of Cantors, Men of Reform Judaism, Women of Reform Judaism, and the North American Federation of Temple Youth:
Reform Jewish Movement Launches Nationwide Initiative to Protect Voting Rights
Washington, D.C., August 9, 2016 – With general election season well underway, the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (RAC) is launching a new nonpartisan initiative to promote voter protection and participation across the country, beginning with a joint kick-off event with the NAACP on August 18 in Raleigh, NC.
Jewish Community Groups Join in Opposition to Predatory Lending
Washington, D.C., August 12, 2016 –This week, 20 Jewish groups together submitted comments coordinated by the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism in support of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s proposed rule regarding predatory payday lending. The comments reflected the organizations’ shared commitment to helping build a society where lending is used as a step toward opportunity, rather than as a stumbling block. The full text of the letter follows: