In response to the 2014 midterm election results, Rachel Laser, Deputy Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, issued a statement:
In the wake of yesterday's election results, we welcome the resounding success of three key state ballot initiatives that will enhance America's safety and well-being. In Washington State, all gun purchases will now require a common-sense background check. Thanks to Nebraska voters, the state's minimum wage will increase to $9 by 2016. In fact, voters approved minimum wage increases in four states nationwide, all by wide margins. And in Massachusetts, voters said "yes" to Question 4, allowing workers at companies with 11 or more employees to earn paid sick leave. In each of these states, Reform rabbis and congregants working with the Religious Action Center's staff were key to the initiatives' passage - offering sermons, publishing op-eds, speaking with colleagues and friends, and voting.Read the entirety of the statement here. To learn more about our work on economic justice issues (including paid sick days and minimum wage) and the Jewish values that underpin our advocacy and programming, be sure to visit our issue page. The Reform Movement has a long and storied history of advocating for civil rights, from our engagement in the Civil Rights Movement, to the fact that we are intimately acquainted with the effects of bigotry. Our ancestors knew both the continuing indignities of second-class citizenship and the constant fear of xenophobic violence. Our history teaches us that discrimination against any members of a community threatens the security of the entire community. Learn more about our work on civil rights, including election reform and voting rights. Also, don't forget to join our post-election briefing today, November 6, at 1:30 p.m. as our panel will discuss different perspectives on the prospects for critical human and civil rights issues in the upcoming Congress. Join in live here.
Related Posts
Image

Where We're Going in 2023: Our Work is Still not Finished
January 25, 2023
With 2023 in full swing, leaders and officials at every level are setting their agendas and priorities for the coming year. We continue to be proud of the power we built and mobilized in 2022 as a Reform Movement as we gather to set the agenda for our work in 2023.
Image

Resources for the 50th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade and Repro Shabbat
January 19, 2023
January 22nd will mark 50 years since the Roe v. Wade decision and the first anniversary since the Supreme Court overturned Roe last summer, paving the way for states to ban abortion and restrict other critical reproductive health services.
Image

Join us to launch Jewish Disability Advocacy Day 2023!
January 13, 2023
The Religious Action Center is excited to continue our partnership with the Jewish Federations of North America as hosts of the annual Jewish Disability Advocacy Day (JDAD) on February 15th at 12 PM ET. Registration is officially LIVE!