Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism

Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism is the Social justice arm of the Union for Reform Judaism and the Central Conference of American Rabbis. It was founded in 1961 by Rabbi Richard Hirsch and is located in Washington, D.C., with the goal of bringing the Jewish values of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) to the United States Capitol and the White House. The center works closely with other Jewish organizations, such as the Anti-Defamation League, American Jewish Committee, and Jewish Council for Public Affairs, to promote social justice and human rights.

● History

The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism was established in 1961 during the Civil Rights Movement, with the goal of promoting social justice and human rights through the lens of Jewish values. The center's early work focused on issues such as Civil Rights Act of 1964, Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the Vietnam War. The center's founders, including Rabbi Richard Hirsch and Rabbi Balfour Brickner, worked closely with other prominent Jewish leaders, such as Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel and Rabbi Joachim Prinz, to advance the cause of social justice. The center has also worked with other faith-based organizations, such as the National Council of Churches and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, to promote interfaith dialogue and cooperation.

● Mission and Activities

The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism's mission is to educate and mobilize the Reform Jewish community to work towards a more just and compassionate world. The center's activities include advocacy, community organizing, and education on a range of issues, including poverty, health care, immigration reform, and climate change. The center works closely with Reform Jewish congregations and organizations, such as the Union for Reform Judaism and the Central Conference of American Rabbis, to promote social justice and human rights. The center also partners with other Jewish organizations, such as the American Jewish World Service and the Jewish Fund for Justice, to support human rights and social justice initiatives around the world.

● Advocacy Priorities

The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism's advocacy priorities include issues such as economic justice, racial justice, immigration reform, and LGBTQ+ rights. The center works to promote affordable housing, living wage, and access to healthcare for all, particularly for low-income communities and communities of color. The center also advocates for comprehensive immigration reform, including a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, and for the protection of LGBTQ+ rights, including the passage of the Equality Act. The center works closely with other Jewish organizations, such as the National Council of Jewish Women and the Jewish Women's Archive, to promote women's rights and gender equality.

● Leadership and Organization

The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism is led by Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, who serves as the center's director. The center's staff includes a team of rabbis, advocates, and organizers who work on a range of issues, including economic justice, racial justice, and immigration reform. The center is governed by a board of directors that includes Reform Jewish leaders and social justice advocates, such as Rabbi Rick Jacobs and Rabbi Denise Eger. The center is also supported by a network of Reform Jewish congregations and organizations, including the Union for Reform Judaism and the Central Conference of American Rabbis.

● Programs and Initiatives

The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism offers a range of programs and initiatives to educate and mobilize the Reform Jewish community on social justice issues. The center's programs include the L'Taken Social Justice Seminars, which bring high school students to Washington, D.C. to learn about social justice and advocacy, and the RAC-Tivists, a network of Reform Jewish young adults who work on social justice issues. The center also offers a range of resources and toolkits for Reform Jewish congregations and organizations, including the Social Justice Handbook and the Advocacy Guide.

● Impact and Partnerships

The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism has had a significant impact on social justice issues in the United States and around the world. The center has worked with other Jewish organizations, such as the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee and the World Jewish Relief, to provide humanitarian aid and support to communities in need. The center has also partnered with other faith-based organizations, such as the National Council of Churches and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, to promote interfaith dialogue and cooperation on social justice issues. The center's work has been recognized by a range of awards and honors, including the National Association of Social Workers' Lifetime Achievement Award and the American Jewish Committee's National Human Relations Award. Category:Jewish organizations