FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 3, 2018
Reform Jewish Movement Condemns Decision to Roll Back Federal Affirmative Action Guidance
WASHINGTON – In response to the Trump administration’s decision to rescind guidance supporting affirmative action policies in school admission processes, Barbara Weinstein, Director of the Commission on Social Action of Reform Judaism, issued the following statement on behalf of the Union for Reform Judaism, the Central Conference of Reform Rabbis and the wider Reform Movement:
“We are deeply disappointed by the Trump administration’s misguided decision to rescind federal guidance that encourages schools and universities to consider race in their admission processes. This decision, though non-binding on schools, is deeply troubling and disregards the historical and contemporary discrimination and unequal opportunity that students of color have and continue to face in school admissions and education generally. School affirmative action policies play a crucial role in strengthening racial diversity in society and their legality has repeatedly been upheld by the Supreme Court.
"The Reform Jewish Movement is dedicated to the pursuit of racial justice, recognizing that our vision of dignity, equity and safety for all people is fundamental to our identity as a multiracial Reform Jewish community. Even as we urge continued federal government support for affirmative action policies, we also urge schools to commit to creating and supporting diverse educational environments that strengthen students, the academic institution, and the nation overall.”
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The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism is the Washington office of the Union for Reform Judaism, whose more than 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.
