Rachel Roth Headshot

Rachel Roth is the COO of the American Conference of Cantors. The first female in any Reform Movement Professional Organization hired in the senior executive role, she was also the first to hold a C-suite title. She is a former member of the WRJ NAB, current URJ NAB member, and a proud member of NATA. She holds a BA from Indiana University and MAJPS from Spertus Institute. 

Movement Pay Gap: What You Can Do

Rachel Roth

As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Reform Pay Equity Initiative (RPEI), I am reflecting over the decade of work the Reform Movement has done together to close the gender equity pay gap.

At this point in the process, I wish I had better news to reflect

Parashat Ki Teitzei

Rachel Roth
In this parashah, we are simply and directly commanded to pay our workers. We are compelled to pay the people who work for us in a timely manner because they rely upon those wages to take care of themselves, their families, and even their communities. Nachmanides, the medieval sage known as Rambam explains, “For if you do not pay him immediately when he leaves work, he will starve and die that night.” While that may feel like an extreme example of what might happen in our 21st-century world, it is not so far-fetched when we look deeper into the inequalities of our employment systems, particularly in the United States. 

Parashah Shof'tim

Rachel Roth

 

In this week’s Torah portion, Shof’tim, we find, as part of his final speech, Moses’ instructions to the People of Israel for setting up a justice system. He directs them to appoint judges and he cautions against showing favoritism or taking bribes. He

Voices of WRJ: Vayeria

Rachel Roth

Vayeira, (Genesis 18:1–22:24) There is a lot to unpack in this portion.

We are familiar with it. We read the Akeidah (Genesis 22:1), the binding of Isaac, on the High Holy Days every year. Organizations have created entire social justice campaigns around that

Voices of WRJ: Yitro

Rachel Roth

In this week’s Torah portion, Yitro[i], Moses’ father in law, Jethro figured something out that many organizational leaders—lay and professional—struggle with today. We are too busy, too overly programmed, running in too many directions, too overwhelmed to

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