A Letter to the 119th Congress

Below is the cover note of a letter to the 119th Congress outlining some of the Reform Jewish Movement's legislative and policy priorities and urging all Members of Congress to join us in pursuit of a more justice and equitable world. View the full letter. 

Dear Member of the 119th Congress,

On behalf of the Union for Reform Judaism, whose 825 congregations encompass more than 1.8 million Reform Jews across North America, and the Central Conference of American Rabbis, which represents over 2,000 Reform rabbis, I write to congratulate you on your swearing in as a member of the 119th Congress and to (re)introduce you to the Reform Jewish Movement and our policy priorities.

For more than six decades, the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (the RAC) has been the hub of Jewish social justice work, representing the values of the largest and most diverse Jewish denomination in North America. As a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, our work is nonpartisan. We are proud of our work with administrations, Congresses, and elected officials of both parties, knowing that our success as a nation is inextricably linked to our ability to work together for the common good. Among the landmark laws that we have played a key role in shaping are the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the Violence Against Women Act, the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Affordable Care Act.

Our vision is of a world overflowing with peace and wholeness, justice and equity, and belonging and joy. We work across lines of difference to organize and advocate for social change that alienates systemic injustices, especially those that primarily impact marginalized communities. The words of the prophet Micah inspire us to "do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with [our] God" (Micah 6:8).

Our community is organized and engaged at the local, state, and federal levels. There are Reform Jewish congregations in all 50 states (as well as the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands) and nearly 350 congressional districts. We have robust statewide chapters in California, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas. Each year, we bring thousands of Reform Jews, including more than 2,000 young people, to Washington D.C. to advocate for social justice on a range of priorities.

In 2024, we organized Every Voice, Every Vote: The Reform Movement's Civic Engagement Campaign , a nonpartisan effort to protect, expand, and strengthen democracy. Our campaign reached over 875,000 voters nationwide and, in partnership with Women of Reform Judaism, helped secure abortion rights victories in Arizona, Colorado, Maryland, Nevada, and New York. In addition, our New York chapter helped pass the New York Climate Superfund bill, our Massachusetts synagogues secured $5.16 billion for affordable housing by passing the Massachusetts Affordable Homes Act, and our California congregations defeated a potential ballot measure seeking to overturn protections against oil drilling in residential neighborhoods.

Below you will find an outline of our priorities for the 119th Congress. We know there is a tremendous amount of work ahead as you confront the challenges facing our country and world. As the largest denomination in North American Jewish life, we hope to serve as a resource for you and your staff on our mutual priorities and encourage you to turn to us as a thought partner - including on questions related to Israel, antisemitism, and other issues facing the Jewish community.

We offer our blessings as you begin this new Congress and new year. Together, we can ensure that "justice rolls down like water, and righteousness like a mighty stream" (Amos 5:24).

Sincerely,

Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner
Director, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism
Senior Vice President, Union for Reform Judaism