Table of Contents

1. Memo to State Comptroller DiNapoli Calling for Divestment from Sudan
2. Memo in Support of The Reproductive Health and Privacy Protection Act
3. Press Release: RJV Supports Marriage Equality for all New Yorkers

May 29, 2007

Dear Comptroller DiNapoli,

Reform Jewish Voice of New York State strongly supports targeted divestment from Sudan as one of the most effective strategies to stop the atrocities taking place in the Darfur region of that country. Your support for targeted Sudan divestment is critical to the success of these efforts and immediate action is needed to help stop genocide in Darfur. It is important that New York divest its investments from companies that contribute to the genocide in Darfur where over 400,000 have died and 2.5 million have been displaced since 2003.

The circumstances in Darfur are such that divestment is timely, appropriate and likely to be successful. It is the only historical case where the act of genocide has been labeled while the atrocities are still occurring. Genocide is the ultimate crime against humanity, and thus in the case of Sudan, divestment is a responsible way for individual companies and states to prevent arms and revenues from aiding the offending party. The crisis has been continuing for over four years, with other strategies and diplomatic efforts proving unsuccessful. In addition, there is evidence that the government of Sudan has been responsive to economic sanctions in the past. It is now time to apply this additional economic tool along with our other strategies to seek an end to this tragic violence.

In March 2007, the Union for Reform Judaism joined the campaign calling for targeted divestment from Sudan that has been quickly growing on state, municipal, and university levels. New York State should be among the states participating in this campaign. We recognize that divestment is a specific tactic to be used only in extreme situations and we are particularly cognizant of the fact that this economic tool can be inappropriately applied and misused. Nonetheless, we also understand that, when appropriate, divestment can be a strategy that provides significant power to motivate change. Our ethical obligations to our neighbors include the use of conscientious monetary policies as a tool for positive social change.

Reform Jewish Voice of NYS (RJV) is Reform Judaism’s advocate for social justice in the state and promotes legislation and governmental actions that address the root causes of social and economic injustice and advance religious tolerance and human dignity throughout New York.  Working with the over 125 congregations in New York State, encompassing more than 400,000 Reform Jews, RJV functions under the auspices of the Commission on Social Action of Reform Judaism, a joint instrumentality of the Central Conference of American Rabbis and the Union for Reform Judaism.

Sincerely,
Alyson Grant
Director, RJV

Reform Jewish Voice of New York State strongly supports The Reproductive Health and Privacy Protection Act, legislation that protects the fundamental right of a woman to make private medical decisions. This Act will enshrine a woman’s right to reproductive choice in New York State’s legal code.

New York was one of the first states in the nation to legalize abortion and has been a proactive pioneer in the reproductive rights movement. Our state was one of the first to decriminalize abortion, by modifying the penal code in 1970. That law was a bold step at the time, but it is now outdated and is not in line with the 1973 decision of Roe v Wade, including the fundamental right of women to make private medical decisions regarding contraception and abortion, nor does it take into account major progress in how abortion care is now provided.

Now is the time to take the next step by strengthening our laws and continuing New York’s proud tradition of supporting women’s reproductive rights.

The Reform Jewish Movement has consistently supported a woman’s right to choose. Since 1935, we have called for access to birth control, and as of 1967, we have clearly stated our commitment to reproductive health. Our movement’s support was further expressed in policy passed in 1975, reaffirmed in 1981 and 1990, stating that "in any decision whether or not to terminate a pregnancy, the individual family or woman must weigh the tradition as she struggles to formulate her own religious and moral criteria to reach her own personal decision....We oppose all constitutional amendments that would abridge or circumscribe this right."

The Reproductive Health and Privacy Protection Act will take the principles underlying Roe v. Wade and put it squarely into New York law, ensuring that every individual has a fundamental right to privacy with respect to personal medical decisions. This Act will reaffirm New York’s longstanding support of reproductive freedom and ensure that New York is prepared if the right to choose is threatened by a weakening of Roe or further federal encroachments.

Reform Jewish Voice of New York State strongly supports The Reproductive Health and Privacy Protection Act, legislation that would ensure a woman’s right to choose by guaranteeing reproductive freedom for future generations of women.

Reform Jewish Leaders Applaud Governor Spitzer on Introduction of Marriage Equality Bill and Urges New York State Legislature to Pass Legislation

Urell: The Governor’s support for marriage equality presents an opportunity for the state legislature to ensure the right to civil marriage via legislation and we call on its members to do so.

Contact: Donald Cohen-Cutler
212.650.4213

Albany, New York, May 3, 2007 – In response to Governor Spitzer’s introduction of legislation in favor of marriage equality for same gender couples, Arleen Urell, Chair of Reform Jewish Voice of New York State and member of Congregation Beth Emeth in Albany, issued the following statement:

The Reform Jewish Movement has long sought to ensure equality for all of God’s children, regardless of sexual orientation. As Jews, we are taught in the very beginning of the Torah that God created humans B’tselem Elohim, in the Divine image, and therefore the diversity of creation represents the vastness of the Eternal (Genesis 1:27). We oppose discrimination against all individuals, including gay men and lesbians, for the stamp of the Divine is present in each and every human being.

The Governor’s proposal presents an opportunity for the state legislature to ensure the right to civil marriage via legislation and we call on its members to do so. Married couples receive over 1,600 legal protections, benefits and responsibilities; more than 500 at the state level. Recognition by the State of New York of the right of same sex couples to marry would have a major impact on the lives of couples by allowing them to access the legal protections and rights given to married couples in NYS.

We applaud Governor Spitzer and urge all state legislators to co-sponsor and support legislation supporting marriage equality and to oppose legislation that limits the rights of same sex couples. Specifically, we ask all Assemblymembers to co-sponsor Assemblymember O'Donnell's Marriage Bill.

Addressing the religious implications of marriage equality, Rabbi Eric B. Stark, Director of the Union for Reform Judaism Greater New York Council, added the following statement:

Support of civil marriage for same sex couples will have no effect on religious marriage. Clergy whose faith tradition allows for same sex marriage, and who choose to solemnize those marriages, would finally be permitted to do so under the law. However, nothing in this bill would require clergy to officiate at same sex marriages and clergy whose faith dictates opposition to same sex marriage would continue to be free to decline participation in such ceremonies.

By providing for civil marriage, the state will fill its proper function in securing equality for those couples who choose to wed. Members of our state’s diverse faith community will finally have the right to officiate or not, according to the dictates of their own faith.

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Reform Jewish Voice of New York State (RJV) is Reform Judaism’s advocate for social justice in the state. There are more than 125 Reform Jewish congregations in New York State, with a combined membership of more than 100,000. RJV functions under the auspices of the Commission on Social Action of Reform Judaism, a joint instrumentality of the Central Conference of American Rabbis and the Union for Reform Judaism.