New Year, New Congress, New White House

As we begin a new year, a new Congress, and a new administration in the White House, the challenges before us are manifold: fostering unity, protecting democratic institutions, and championing justice at home by supporting security and democracy in Israel while advocating for the rights, well-being, and aspirations of Palestinian civilians; ending hateful rhetoric and policies, the demeaning of women, and the coarsening of political discourse; opposing the erosion of reproductive rights, harms to LGBTQ+ communities, the targeting of  People of Color, and undermining of environmental protections; advocating for the safety of immigrants and the right to claim asylum, and so much more.

Though political discourse has become ever more polarized, none of these issues are inherently partisan. Our work as a Movement on these issues is rooted in our ancient texts and traditions that far predate today's political divisions. Indeed, for thousands of years, the Jewish people have been guided by God's call to center the most vulnerable: the widow, the orphan, and the stranger. God created this covenant so that the descendants of Sarah and Abraham would be a blessing. We realize this blessing through our work to heal what is broken in our world and shape a narrative of justice inspired by the voices of our prophets.

What does it look like to build a society of civil rights and freedom for all people in a time of political challenge and social turmoil? It means strengthening our presence and power in D.C. and engaging on Capitol Hill and at the White House as representatives of the largest movement in American Jewish life. It means organizing at the state level around efforts like the new Climate Change Superfund Act signed in late December by New York's Gov. Hochul after hearing from leaders in RAC-NY, and Karina's Law that RAC-IL championed to curb gun violence statewide. It means strengthening democracy in the U.S. and Israel through efforts like the World Zionist Congress elections (March 10 - May 4) which, with our leadership, will amplify the power of Reform Judaism and our values in Israel. It means standing with vulnerable communities nationally, statewide, and locally​ against efforts to hurt transgender individuals, immigrants, People of Color, and others. It means standing together against antisemitism as we build Communities of Belonging where Jews can live freely without fear of violence or other targeting in this nation founded by those seeking religious freedom. ​And it means shifting the public narrative​ by amplifying stories that illuminate the human impact of policy decisions rather than allowing free rein to those who peddle stories about benign cuts to vital safety nets and other programs.

We are ready - as we have always been - to work with elected officials across the ideological spectrum on any serious efforts to achieve our goals. And we are equally ready to call out and mobilize in fierce opposition to any further efforts to undermine already vulnerable individuals or communities. We need your energy, partnership, and leadership fueling every aspect of this work. All people deserve a world in which everyone experiences peace and wholeness (shalom), justice and equity (tzedek), and belonging and joy (shayachut and simcha). As we enter this new year and new chapter of our shared history, let's work to build that world together.