|
In this update...
2009-10 Eisendrath Legislative Assistant Program
application now online
Eisendrath
Legislative Assistants (LAs) advocate in Washington,
DC for Jewish values and Social Justice on behalf of
the Reform Jewish Movement. LAs take part in a wide
range of social action activities including monitoring
legislative activity, developing synagogue social
action programming, coordinating special events,
creating educational materials, planning and running
weekend conferences for teens, and mobilizing the
grassroots of American Jewry.
For more information and to download an application
Machon Kaplan Summer Social Action Internships for
College Students
Machon
Kaplan is a unique summer work/study internship
program for undergraduate students from college
campuses across North America interested in Judaism
and social justice. Based in Washington, D.C. at the
Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, it provides
students with a meaningful internship dealing with
social justice issues; the opportunity to engage in
academic study that relates to their internships; and,
a community of like-minded students to share the
experience together in a group living atmosphere.
Students learn, through study and action, the
interrelationship of Judaism and American democratic
ideals, as well as the political interaction of the
organized American Jewish community and the U.S.
government, while gaining a foundation of Jewish
knowledge to help ground the political issues on which
the Center works.
A Jewish Thanksgiving
Our
Nothing But Nets webpage has a
thoughtful Thanksgiving prayer and meditation offering
for families. It can bring an extra, Jewish
meaning to Thanksgiving gatherings… saying thanks and
saving lives through the Movement’s Nothing But Nets
program. We also have our
National Holidays Social Justice Program Guide,
which provides resources for families and communities
on how to bring some Jewish social justice into our
holiday experience.
A Year in Review: the RAC's Annual Report Now
Available
Each year, the
Religious Action Center highlights its experiences and
projects over the course of the previous year in our
annual report. An opportunity to reflect
on the impact that support for the Center has, the
Year in Review also is a chance to better understand
the broad range of activities the Center leads, and
the different areas that you may find important!
Latest Press Releases
Request for Sudanese Rebels’ Arrest Warrants a Step
Toward Justice
Nov. 21, 2008 – In
response to the International Criminal Court Chief
Prosecutor’s request for arrest warrants for those who
perpetrated last year’s deadly attack on United
Nations peacekeeping forces in Darfur, Rabbi David
Saperstein, Director of the Religious Action Center of
Reform Judaism, issued a response, noting “All
those who threaten civilian safety in Darfur should be
treated as criminals.”
Texas Jewish Leaders Fight for Students’ First
Amendment Rights
Austin, TX, Nov. 20,
2008 – Three Reform Jewish leaders testified yesterday
before the Texas State Board of Education on proposed
revisions to the state’s science curriculum.
Advocating for
students’ First Amendment rights, the rabbis opposed
the state education curriculum that require the
teaching of creationism/intelligent design in science
classes. The current curriculum requires the teaching
of the “strengths and weaknesses” of scientific
theories. Although the first proposed change would
have struck that language entirely, ensuring that only
pure science is taught, the most recent proposal
simply substitutes “limitations” for “weaknesses.” The
Board is scheduled to vote on this issue in January.
Saperstein: Turn Darfur Ceasefire Offer into Just and
Lasting Peace
Nov. 13, 2008 – In
response to Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir’s offer
of a ceasefire in Darfur and promise to disarm militia
groups, Rabbi David Saperstein, Director of the
Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, issued a
statement: “If President Bashir holds to this
agreement, it could be a major contribution to
curtailing the violence and protecting innocent life.”
|
