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Reform of the Rockefeller Drug Laws
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The Reform Jewish Movement affirms the biblical concept that a criminal is a human being, capable of reshaping his or her life, which the Rockefeller Drug Laws currently do not enable him/her to do.
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Choice: Reproductive Health Act
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The Reform Jewish Movement's tradition has always upheld the sacredness of life. Similarly, it has upheld the sacredness of the body. Mishnah Ohaloth 7:6, for example, forbids a woman from sacrificing her own life for that of the fetus, and if her life is threatened, the text permits her no other option but abortion. It is due to the fundamental Jewish belief in the sanctity of life that abortion is viewed as both a moral and correct decision under some circumstances.
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Marriage Equality for Same-Sex Couples
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The Reform Movement has consistently affirmed its commitment to welcoming same-sex couples into congregations and, in 1997 the Union for Reform Judaism expanded that support with a resolution supporting full equality under the law, including legal recognition of same gender relationships.
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Rockefeller Drug Law Reform
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The Reform Jewish Voice of New York State (RJV) supports the reform of the antiquated Rockefeller Drug Laws. RJV supports judicial discretion in sentencing and ability to order low-level offenders into mandatory drug treatment.
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Religious Leaders Ask Gov To Raise Welfare Grants
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Religious leaders, including Reform Jewish Voice, and the Hunger Action Network sent a letter on September 15, 2008 to Governor David A. Paterson asking him to raise the basic welfare grant and provide universal health care in New York. Faith leaders appeal to the governor on moral grounds to raise the basic welfare grant, from $291 to $475 for a family of three.
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RJV Meets with NYS Agency Comm on Issues of Economic Justice
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On August 5, 2008, RJV Steering Committee members, Barbara Zaron and Arleen Urell joined other members of the Faith and Hunger Network in a meeting in Albany with David Hansell, Commissioner, NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA is NYS’s welfare agency) and members of his executive team* to discuss issues related to providing assistance to New Yorkers who are poor and working poor.
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Union for Reform Judaism Fights Poverty with Faith
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A new initiative to fight poverty, called Fighting Poverty with Faith: A Week of Action was launched on September 9, 2008 with a national conference call. The week’s activities ended with a Prayer Vigil on Capitol Hill. Representatives of various faith groups participated in these activities. Fighting Poverty with Faith is a coalition of over 20 national faith-based groups working together to raise attention about poverty and economic insecurity in the country.
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Reform Movement Welcomes New York’s Steps Toward Marriage Equality
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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.
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The Executive Budget FY2008-2009
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Governor Eliot Spitzer presented his second executive budget to the New York State Legislature on January 22. The budget focused on several issues that Reform Jewish Voice supports including: providing health care, funding for education, and protecting the environment.
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The Executive Budget FY2007-2008
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Governor Eliot Spitzer presented his first executive budget to the New York State Legislature on January 31. The budget focused on several issues that Reform Jewish Voice supports including: funding for stem cell research, provision of healthcare, funding for education, and protecting the environment.
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Review of the 2007 Legislative Session
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The Review is a wrap-up and update on all of the issues we have worked on.
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