Related Blog Posts on Civic Engagement | Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism

Graphic demonstrating the secrecy sleeve Torah analogy outlined in writing in this piece

The Sanctity of Voting: A Jewish Analogy for “Secrecy Sleeves”

Sarah Blaine

October 21, 2020

Just as the Torah is at the center of Judaism, the ballot is at the core of our democracy. We would not dream of returning the Torah to the Ark without first dressing it. It helps, then, to think of the outer envelope as the ark and the inner security envelope as our ballot’s Torah cover.

Bundled up homeless person in the shadows at the bottom of a cement stairwell

Housing and Homelessness

Homelessness and Voting Rights: A Jewish Call to Action in 2020

Courtney Cooperman

October 15, 2020

The Reform Movement supports a COVID-19 relief bill that will alleviate economic hardship, which puts tens of millions of Americans at risk of eviction and homelessness.

Woman wearing a face mask and holding a mail in ballot while standing next to a USPS mailbox

Civil Rights & Voting Rights

A Year Like No Other: Voting in Pennsylvania and Beyond

Josh Sayles

Rabbi Ron Symons

Susan Friedberg Kalson

October 15, 2020

Typically, Jews have an extraordinarily high voter turnout, said to be the highest of any ethnic group, in a nation in which only an estimated 1 in 2 eligible voters actually vote. But this is a year like no other.

Civil Rights & Voting Rights

This Year, Bring Torah into the Voting Booth

Rabbi Daniel Gropper

October 13, 2020

Taking Torah into the voting booth also means that pikuach nefesh, saving human life, is Judaism’s highest mitzvah, so consider your voting options carefully.

2020 buttons in red white and blue scattered over a red background

Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism

It's Election Season: 7 Key Actions to Take Between Now and Nov. 3rd

Sophie Raim

October 5, 2020

Election Day is fast approaching, but our work is not done yet. There’s still time to make a difference and ensure every voice is heard and every vote is counted this election.

Closeup of a hand affixing a red white and blue 2020 button to a denim jacket

Social Justice

Act Now: 3 Vital Ways You Can Help Protect Our Democracy

Barbara Weinstein

September 24, 2020

Deuteronomy 16:20 directs us: “Tzedek tzedek tirdof” – Justice, justice shall you pursue. The words remind us of the importance of ensuring justice itself is achieved through just means.

Sukkot

Sukkot: Festival of Voting Booths

Rabbi Scott M. Nagel

Rabbi Susan N. Shankman

Rabbi Randi Nagel

September 23, 2020

It is a tradition that we observe as Americans as well, as we enter into booths each fall (and occasionally at other moments during the year) in order to make our voices heard and exercise our right to vote.

A person putting a ballot in a box in front of an American flag

Civic Engagement

With Less than 100 Days Until Election Day, There's Still Time to Make an Impact

Melissa Bendell

August 13, 2020

We’re counting down the days until Election Day, and with less than 100 days until November 3, there’s still a lot more work to be done to ensure that every eligible voter is able and ready to cast their ballot.

The Reform Movement’s 2020 Civic Engagement

Civic Engagement

Justice Work Doesn’t Pause for a Pandemic

Kathryn Fleisher

Zoe Terner

July 14, 2020

Kathryn and I began our social justice journeys with the URJ. We grew up in NFTY and attended URJ summer camps, we served on the NFTY North American Board, and we currently sit on the Commission on Social Action.

VOTE HERE sign outside a polling place where a women is walking through the doors

Civic Engagement

Here's What You Can Do to Help Combat Voter Suppression

Justin Meszler

July 1, 2020

Every voice matters, and every vote should, too – but in many places across the U.S., restrictive laws and practices disproportionately keep People of Color from voting.