Learning from our Students: Why We Must Safeguard Title IX Protections for LGBTQ+ Kids
The following blog post is adapted from remarks given by Rabbi Joshua Caruso (Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple, Beachwood, Ohio) at the Ohio Board of Education Hearing on December 12, 2022.
Congress Must Pass the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act Before it’s Too Late
The following blog post is adapted from remarks given by Rabbi Eliana Fischel (Washington Hebrew Congregation) at the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act Rally on December 1, 2022.
Gun Violence Prevention Shabbat (I Should Have Gotten Involved Sooner)
Gun Violence Prevention Shabbat is December 9-10 this year, and in the Torah portion, Parshat Vayishlach, Jacob wrestles with an angel to receive protection from a battle he foresees coming with his brother.
We Will Not Go Back: It’s Time to Pass the Respect for Marriage Act
The following blog post is adapted from remarks given by Cantor Jason Kaufman (Beth El Hebrew Congregation, Alexandria, VA) at the Faith Voices for the Respect for Marriage Act Press Conference on November 17, 2022.
Every Voice, Every Vote: Reflections on the 2022 Midterms and What Comes Next
With so much at stake, including the integrity of our democratic institutions, Reform Jewish activists showed up in record numbers to make sure every voice was heard, and every vote was counted.
Native American Heritage Month: Continued Support for the Indigenous Population is a Necessity
In November, we celebrate Native American Heritage Month. Unfortunately, much of North America is just beginning to recognize the contributions of Indigenous peoples.
Congress Must Expand the Child Tax Credit, a Powerful Tool Proven to Reduce Poverty
In the American Rescue Plan of 2021, Congress temporarily expanded the Child Tax Credit (CTC). This measure significantly reduced child poverty during a time of economic fallout and uncertainty, but the expansion expired at the end of 2021. As families continue to struggle to make ends meet, with inflation on the rise, Congress must urgently make the CTC expansion permanent in year-end tax legislation.
Why New Yorkers Should—and I will—Vote “Yes” on New York’s $4.2 Billion Environmental Bond Act in the Next 7 Days
RAC-NY undertook a comprehensive and robust effort to educate our congregations and the broader community about Proposition 1 - the Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Bond Act - and encourage a "Yes" vote on November 8. We were thrilled to join the "Vote Yes for Clean Water and Jobs Coalition," a wonderfully effective and very broad coalition of advocate agencies led by The Nature Conservancy.
Supporting Survivors of Domestic Violence in the Jewish Community
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) in the U.S. Each of us likely knows someone, either in our Jewish community or our secular communities, who has been impacted by or is a survivor of domestic violence.
Support Safer Roads and Immigrant Rights. Vote YES on Question 4!
About five years ago, my husband and I volunteered for a simple task: driving several undocumented residents who were budding activists to a meeting hosted by Cosecha Massachusetts to build support for their campaign for "Licencias Para Todos" (Licenses for Everyone) in Massachusetts.