Social justice and Reform Judaism are inextricably intertwined. At all its different levels, the Movement works for social justice.

The Commission on Social Action of Reform Judaism (CSA; http://urj.org/csa/) assists congregations in establishing social action committees that will help them to apply ethical Judaic principles to contemporary issues. It oversees the work of Reform Judaism's Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism(RAC; www.rac.org)in Washington, D.C. which pursues social justice and religious liberty by mobilizing the American Jewish community and serving as its advocate in the capital of the United States.

The Reform Jewish Voice of New York State (RJVNYS; www.RJVNYS.org) is Reform Judaism’s advocate for social justice in the state.

The Israel Religious Action Center (IRAC; www.irac.org/index_e.asp) is the public and legal advocacy arm of the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism. The Center's mission is to advance religious freedom and pluralism, tolerance, social justice and civil liberties in Israel, based on the belief that these values are intrinsic to and stem from a liberal understanding of Judaism. Since its establishment in 1987, the Center has been a leader in the struggle for freedom of religion and conscience in Israel.

NEW YORK STATE ADVOCACY DAY:

The Reform Jewish Voice of New York State & Interfaith Impact of New York State invite you to join them on April 12, 2010 in Albany lobbying your State Senators and Assembly Members for reproductive choice, marriage equality and good government. They will provide the tools and the confidence – all you need to do is show up – but register first: http://rac.org/advocacy/rjv/programs/interfaith_advocacy_day_2010/

Dear Friends,

Over the past seven years Reform Jewish Voice of New York State (RJV) has galvanized New Yorkers around issues of concern to us as Reform Jews.  RJV has been our presence in Albany and a significant social justice resource for our congregations.

This year we have been working under a new staff model.  RJV has been sharing a legislative assistant (LA) with the RAC.  Specifically, we have utilized 1/3 of the time of Juliana Schnur.  This arrangement has been successful and we intend to continue next year.  Part of our success is due to the fact that Juliana is a New Yorker and feels passionately about the issues confronting our state.  We need your assistance so that we have an equally good LA next year.

The RAC is currently accepting applications for the Eisendrath Legislative Assistant program.  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.  Our LA has RJV as a portfolio/issue area.  For more information about the program, click here.

If you know any young persons who would benefit from and enjoy serving as an LA and are committed to social justice in New York as well as the world, please encourage them to apply.  The program is prestigious and as you might imagine the application process is rigorous.  Not everyone is accepted, but the more New Yorkers who apply, the better chance we will have of filling our RJV slot with the highest quality LA for New York advocacy.

If you wish to discuss this further, please do not hesitate to contact me or Barbara Weinstein at the RAC.

B'vrakha (with blessing) -  הכרבב

Marc A. Gruber

Rabbi Marc A. Gruber