Reform Jewish Voice of New York State
July 19, 2008 · 16 Tamuz
Consultation 2008

CLICK HERE about the 2008 Biennial NYS Consultation on Conscience. SAVE THE DATE - March 14, 2010 Consultation.
RJV e-Newsletters

Click here to access the archive of RJV e-Newsletters, dating back to our first edition in November 2006
URJ Regions in NY
The 2008 Legislative Session: Have an Impact NOW!

The 2008 Spring Legislative Session began in January 2008,
and your State Legislators want to hear from you!
How can YOU have an impact now?
Please visit the RJV New York State Legislative Center
to find out more about your state legislators.

RJV Advocacy Day 2008


Reform Jewish Voice of New York State &
Interfaith IMPACT of New York State

Interfaith Advocacy Day

Reform Jewish Voice of New York State and Interfaith Impact of New York State joined forces as the progressive religious voices of New York. We met in the state's capital on Monday, May 19, 2008 to advocate for legislation that addresses the issues of Universal Healthcare, Marriage Equality and Reproductive Choice.

Advocacy Day – May 2008  

The Reform Jewish Voice of New York State partnered with Interfaith IMPACT of New York State for Advocacy Day in Albany on Monday, May 19, 2008.  Congregations from across New York called upon state Assembly Members and Senators to support Universal Health Care, Marriage Equality and Reproductive Choice.

“Over the past two years we have been building a coalition to bring the issues of health care, equality and choice to the forefront of our state’s agenda,” said Barbara Pollard, director of the Reform Jewish Voice. “Our time in Albany this week is part of a longer struggle for justice and equality from Buffalo to Brooklyn, from Syracuse to Suffolk and everywhere in between.”

On Sunday, May 18th, the group worked in Albany with leading advocates from Physicians for a National Health Program, Empire State Pride Agenda and Family Planning Advocates for legislative briefings. “We are going into our meetings armed with the facts, informed by our convictions and supported by our Jewish values,” explained Pollard.

Sunday, May 18, 2008, 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm | Special Legislative Briefing,First Lutheran Church, Albany
Featuring:
- Carol Blowers; Vice President of Government Affairs, Family Planning Advocates
- Andrew Coates, M.D.; Secretary, Capital District, Physicians for a National Health Program
- Kate McDonough, Pride in the Pulpit Coordinator, Empire State Pride Agenda
- Demi McGuire, Director, New York State Episcopal Public Policy Network

Demi McGuire, Kate McDonough, Carol Blowers,Andrew Coates, M.D., Bailey Bloom & Arleen Urell


Kate McDonough, Empire State Pride Agenda, addresses issue of Marriage Equality.




Special guest speaker, Assembly Member Jack McEneny (center), kicked off the day by emphasizing that legislators listen when people write, call and meet to advocate on issues that are important to them.


Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins (center left) with Barbara Pollard, RJV Director (center right) meeting with RJV constituents.



Senator Liz Krueger addresses issues with RJV members.



Assembly Member Richard Brodsky talks to RJV members in Capitol Building.



Senate Minority Leader Malcolm Smith and staff discuss issues with RJV members.



Interfaith Advocacy Day on May 19th, RJV joined the Family Planning Advocates of NYS demonstration outside the Senate chamber to support the Healthy Teens Act.

WAYS TO ADVOCATE IN YOUR COMMUNITY:

  • Know your candidates and their positions on issues you care about.
  • Arrange for a forum, speaker, or discussion group to explore an issue.
  • Make copies of memos, position papers and action alerts for members of the congregation to read and study. Have them available where people can see them.
  • Excerpt important facts for articles in your synagogue’s newsletter.
  • Talk with your Rabbi about using the material as part of a worship service and/or sermon on the issue.
  • Develop a cadre of people who will write letters to the editor of your local newspaper.
  • Develop relationships with news media.
  • Develop relationships with elected officials: call, write, invite them to speak
  • Attend or testify at public hearings and rallies.
  • Join like-minded coalitions in the community.
  • VOTE!

 

 
RJV Takes Action!

Reform Movement Welcomes New York’s

Steps Toward Marriage Equality

Gov. Paterson’s announcement is a significant and welcome recognition of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals’ right to share in the personal and legal privileges of civil marriage afforded heterosexual Americans.

Contact: Sean Thibault or Kate Bigam
202.387.2800 | news@rac.org

Washington D.C. May 23, 2008 -  In response to the directive issued yesterday by New York Governor David Paterson recognizing same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions, Mark J. Pelavin, Associate Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, Rabbi Eric B. Stark, Regional Director of the Union for Reform Judaism’s Greater New York Council, and Arleen Urell, Chair of Reform Jewish Voice of New York State, issued the following statement:

We applaud Gov. Paterson’s directive to New York state agencies to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions. This important step, especially when viewed in conjunction with the California Supreme Court’s recent decision striking down of the state’s ban on same sex marriage, makes clear that states are now at the forefront of the effort to achieve marriage equality.

Gov. Paterson’s announcement is a significant and welcome recognition of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals’ right to share in the personal and legal privileges of civil marriage afforded heterosexual Americans. The directive reflects the important belief on which this country was founded – that all people deserve equal treatment under the law. We celebrate Gov. Paterson’s historic decision and strongly encourage the New York legislature to take the necessary steps toward legalizing same-sex marriage.

As Jews, we are taught that God created humans b’tselem elohim, in the Divine image. As such, all people are deserving of respect and dignity and should be treated equally under the law, regardless of sexual orientation. For too long, our nation’s laws have reflected narrow views of marriage, limiting which couples have their commitment and love sanctioned by the state.  Those days are waning. 

Whether through legislative means, judicial decisions, or executive directives, the day when Americans will be equally afforded the rights and responsibilities of civil marriage is drawing near. Our Movement will continue to support efforts to hasten that day, and promote tolerance and respect of all individuals.

The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism is the Washington office 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, whose membership includes more than 1800 Reform rabbis

RJV Reaches Out to Buffalo & Rochester

We would like to reach out to more congregations in New York State to let them know the great work of RJV.  Recently, Steering Committee members and Barbara Pollard, RJV Director, have met with clergy and congregants from different counties in the state. Please let us know if you would like us to visit with your congregation to talk about the importance of advocacy and how to get involved with the Reform Jewish Voice of New York State.

Upcoming RJV June Outreach Meetings in
Rochester and Buffalo

Members of RJV Reform congregations in Rochester and Buffalo are invited to attend meetings of Reform Jewish voice to learn more about RJV and how to make our voice heard in Albany. Everyone concerned about Social Justice and how we can influence our legislators is invited.

June 25th at 7 PM, Temple B'rith Kodesh 

2131 Elmwood Ave, Rochester

Contact Mike Slade at 585-442-6526

June 26th at 7 PM., Congregation Havurah 

in the UUC church, 6320 Main Street, Williamsville, NY 14221

Contact Arnold Alt at 716-861-2553

Everyone concerned about Social Justice and how we can influence our legislators is invited.

To read the Review of the Executive Budget for FY08-09, Click Here.
All RJV Position Papers are available on the Advocacy page within this site.
Click here to be redirected.