Our Job is to Prevent Gun Violence
The utter horror of the murderous shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut remains in all of our minds and has rightly propelled us into a critical dialogue that we hope will produce real action after so many years. And the problem has been with us for many years. Much of the time, families and communities – especially in our inner cities – have fought on the front lines against gun violence without much attention from the rest of society. Now, with the alarming and increasing regularity of mass shootings – every couple of years it seems – like those in Newtown and Aurora, it should be clear to all of us that gun violence is our collective problem as a nation, and must be addressed in all of its forms.
Why Religion is Important to Conflict Prevention
Rabbi David Saperstein addresses the importance of religion and interfaith work to conflict prevention and resolution.
Standing Idly By as Our Neighbors Bleed
Like many Massachusetts families, the Boston Marathon is very much part of my family’s lives. Every year we gather to watch, volunteer, or run, as my wife and I did in 2008. Drawing thousands of diverse souls from all over the world, the event represents the best of American civil society.
"Faith's Calling" to End Workplace Discrimination Against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Americans
Contact: Sean Thibault or Sophie Golomb
news@rac.org | (202) 387-2800
From Generation to Generation
NFTY Missouri Valley Social Action Vice President Jackie Heymann reflects on her experiences at the Religious Action Center's Consultation on Conscience.
Yom Kippur and Depression
It happens that this year the Days of Awe align with Suicide Prevention Week.
What Are You Looking at But Not Seeing?
It’s June – the month famous for weddings and for gay pride parades all over the world. June was chosen for “pride” events to commemorate the June 1969 riot at the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York City’s Greenwich Village – a significant milestone in the gay liberation movement.
Reform Jewish Leader Condemns Pakistan Church Bombing, Attacks on Minority Faiths
Saperstein: "This malicious act of terror against members of Pakistan's religious minority community is reflective of a terrible trend of attacks against religious minorities not only in Pakistan, but in too many places throughout the world."
Rethinking Immigration: Sh'lach L'cha, A Holistic Approach
The story line is as follows: Chieftains from each tribe are sent to the land of Canaan for forty days to find out what kind of country it is and if the inhabitants are strong or weak. Canaan is full of different people, including the Anakites—giants.
Prayer for All
The past year has seen an increase in tension - and even violence - at the Kotel or Western Wall, one of Judaism's holiest sites. Last Friday, progressive Jews worldwide were disturbed to learn of protests and near-rioting as the Women of the Wall came to pray for Rosh Chodesh at the Kotel.