Blog Filtered | Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism

Handmade sign in a home window encouraging New Yorkers to vote on Nov 3

How the RAC Helped Me Become a More Confident Community Organizer

Lela Wang

November 30, 2020

Through this fellowship, I learned about community organizing and the many challenges involved. Civic engagement is difficult, but this was definitely a great learning experience and made me a more confident community organizer.

Closeup of the lower half of a persons face covered by a medical mask

Interfaith Affairs

The COVID-19 Crisis and the Faith Community

Rabbi David Saperstein

November 9, 2020

In addressing epidemics, there are a number of provisions of Jewish law directly relevant to challenges we face today. The spirit of these laws and their wisdom speaks across the centuries to us now.

Sign reading STOP VIOLENCE lying on the floor next to a purple domestic violence awareness ribbon

Women's Rights

A Pandemic Within a Pandemic: Marking Domestic Violence Awareness Month During COVID-19

Ally Karpel

October 20, 2020

As intimate partner violence rates surge, the Senate still refuses to pass a reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which has been in limbo for more than a year.

Wooden puzzle in the shape of a brain with one piece removed

Social Justice

Addressing Mental Illness in a Time of COVID-19 and Systemic Racism

Jacob Greenblatt

October 7, 2020

As the United States grapples with COVID-19 and faces a renewed focus on racial justice, this week provides an important opportunity to take stock of how both issues affect mental health.

Headshots of Courtney Cooperman and Josh Burg

Social Justice

Meet the 2020-2021 Eisendrath Legislative Assistants

Courtney Cooperman

Josh Burg

October 5, 2020

As our society navigates unprecedented challenges, we are eager to join in the pursuit of justice that is integral to the Reform Movement.

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

Civic Engagement

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.

An arm extending into the frame holding a shofar as if blowing into it off screen

Yom Kippur

Have We Forgotten the Call of the Shofar Already?

Rabbi Paul Kipnes

September 30, 2020

"Have we forgotten the call of the shofar already / To gather and stand up for what’s right? / Have we forgotten what shofar’s demanding / That we pursue justice, compassion, holy light?"

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

Voting Rights

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.

2016 portrait of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Protecting Civil Rights

7 Ways to Honor the Life and Legacy of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, z"l

Kate Bigam Kaput

September 21, 2020

As the first Jewish woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court, Justice Ginsburg was seen as an icon not only to the progressive world but to the American Jewish community, in particular.

Martin Luther King and Rabbi Gendler walking

Racial Justice

Following the Footsteps of the Prophets to Selma: A Conversation with Civil Rights Activist Rabbi Everett Gendler

Ali Rosenblatt

August 18, 2020

Rabbi Everett Gendler is known for his involvement in progressive causes, including the civil rights movement, nonviolence, and environmental justice.

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