RAC-OH

The Ohio Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (RAC-OH) is an organizing community bringing Reform Jews from across Ohio together in the pursuit of justice in our state.

Take Action

Postcard to protect democracy and fair distrcts with RAC Ohio! The Reform Movement through RAC-OH is working to protect fair districts through a November, citizen led ballot initiative. As part of this campaign, we are making sure voters know about this important ballot measure. Our postcards, and the talking points provided, educate voters about what is at stake for district maps in Ohio and why it matters. We will urge voters to engage with the democratic process and vote to pass this citizen-led initiative on November's ballot.

Order your postcards today at this link!

Want to host a postcard party? Find our resources here.

 

Background

Right now in Ohio, politicians and lobbyists manipulate voting districts to protect their interests and guarantee their re-election. As a result, incumbents running for reelection almost never lose. In other words, we let politicians choose their voters.

The Citizens Not Politicians Amendment bans lobbyists and politicians from the process and instead empowers voters to choose their politicians. Join us today to restore power to where it belongs: with citizens, not politicians.

The Citizens Not Politicians Amendment will:

  • Create a 15-member Ohio Citizens Redistricting Commission made up of citizens who broadly represent the different geographic areas, demographics, and political ideologies of the state.
  • Ban current or former politicians, political party officials and lobbyists from sitting on the Commission. 
  • Require fair and impartial districts by making it unconstitutional to draw voting districts that discriminate against or favor any political party or individual politician.
  • Require the commission to operate under an open and independent process. 

 

In the News

Our Partners

We will be continuing our partnerships with the Ohio Transformation Fund, the ACLU, Women of Reform Judaism, and state-wide faith-based organizations as we pursue legislation that supports our key priorities.

RAC-OH Victories

Targeted Community Alternatives to Prison (TCAP) program

Thanks in part to Reform Jews across the state of Ohio, after Shabbat fell on Friday night, June 30, Governor Kasich signed the Targeted Community Alternatives to Prison program (TCAP) into law. TCAP diverts low-level felons away from incarceration in favor of community supervision or treatment and will keep an extra 3,400 people a year in their communities receiving the support and rehabilitation they desperately need.

Senate Bill 66: Record Sealing and Probation Reform

Teshuvah means a return to our true selves, a return to our community and ultimately a return to our Creator. Citizens returning and making teshuvah after prison face a period of probation and a permanent criminal record viewable by prospective employers, lenders, renters etc. Senate Bill 66 (SB66) returns autonomy to judges to treat probation violators within the community. It provides the options of intervention and treatment in lieu of conviction and makes time in prison for violating probation shorter and less likely.

SB66 was the focus of RAC-OH’s first lobby day in 2017. Seventy Reform Jews traveled to Columbus, Ohio to lobby to our representatives to pass this important legislation. The power of the Reform Movement in Ohio shows, as the bill was passed in 2018.  

Read more about the importance of SB66

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Contact Us

Contact Rabbi Lindsey Danziger to learn more and get involved.

Learn More and Get Involved

RAC-OH is led by a Core Team of rabbis and lay leaders. The Core Team meets monthly to discuss state-wide legislative issues, determine opportunities for partnerships, participates in selected actions taken by faith-based organizations, and offers outreach and support to Reform congregations as they engage in social justice work. The Core Team is led by Rabbi Rick Kellner of Congregation Beth Tikvah and Amy Katz, a lay leader and past president of  Isaac M. Wise Temple. We are supported by national RAC staff overseen by Joy Friedman, the RAC’s organizing director. Core Team members include Rabbi Allison Vann of Suburban Temple-Kol Ami, Rabbi Josh Caruso and Laura Katz of Anshe Chesed-Fairmount Temple, Rabbi Josh Brown of Temple Israel Akron, Rabbi Karen Bodney Halasz of Temple Israel Dayton, and Maria Rosenthal of Congregation Beth Tikvah.