For Immediate Release
June 27, 2017
Contact: Max Rosenblum
202.387.2800 | news@rac.org
WASHINGTON—In response to organizers of the Chicago "Dyke March" on Saturday expelling individuals carrying Star of David flags, Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, issued the following statement on behalf of the Union for Reform Judaism, Central Conference of American Rabbis, and wider Reform Movement:
We are outraged by the actions of Chicago 'Dyke March' organizers this past weekend. Expelling marchers simply for carrying a rainbow flag bearing the Star of David is unacceptable. The Star of David is a symbol of the Jewish people, and kicking marchers out for carrying a flag that demonstrates the intersectionality of LGBTQ and Jewish identity is anti-Semitic. As we advocate for the full equality and inclusion of all LGBTQ people, we also know that eradicating anti-Semitism and bigotry in all forms is crucial to our vision of a world of wholeness, compassion and peace.
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The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism is the Washington office of the Union for Reform Judaism, whose nearly 900 congregations across North America encompass 1.5 million Reform Jews, and the Central Conference of American Rabbis, whose membership includes more than 2,000 Reform rabbis. Visit www.rac.org for more.
