Our Social Justice
By Karen Goldberg, 1/23/2019
In this past week's Torah portion, Parashat Beshellach, we read about the Exodus from Egypt, the Israelites' escape from slavery, and the miraculous parting of the Sea of Reeds. We chant the Song of the Sea - the song of triumph and joy Moses, Miriam, and all the Israelites sing as they begin their march toward the Promised Land. As we know, there will be controversies along the way, as the Israelites struggle to become a nation. But for this moment in time, they celebrate their new freedom with great hope for their future. As I marched through the streets of downtown Walnut Creek this... Read More
By Rabbi Marla J. Feldman, 1/16/2019
Over the course of the past several weeks I have been part of numerous conversations about the upcoming Women’s March. Should we endorse or condemn? Should we march or sit on the sidelines? Is it best to engage or should we boycott? These conversations have taken place in multiple spaces - among progressive Jewish organizations, women’s organizations, Reform Movement leaders and, of course, among WRJ women. These have been vibrant, challenging, and heartfelt conversations and, as one might expect, we are not of one mind. Why the ambivalence? The Unity Principles of the March are aligned... Read More
By Ally Karpel & Samantha Frank, 1/10/2019
There are parts of the Torah that we don’t learn about in Sunday school. While I am proud that our beloved book is rich with moral teachings, instructing not to “hate [our] kinsfolk in [our] heart” (Leviticus 19:17-18); warning “not [to] subvert the rights of the stranger or the fatherless” (Deuteronomy 24:17); and imploring us to "speak up, judge righteously, champion the poor and the needy” (Proverbs 31:9), there are also some texts that condone violence. While there are hundreds of stories of our biblical ancestors to lift up and guide us to be better humans—to be hospitable and welcoming... Read More
By Rabbi Jonah Pesner, 12/27/2018
Last week, the Senate overwhelmingly passed the First Step Act (S.756), a bipartisan bill that will begin to address some of the flaws in the United States criminal justice system. We urge the House to follow the Senate’s lead and pass the First Step Act unamended, even as we have concerns with the bill and commit to continuing to advocate for meaningful and comprehensive criminal justice reform Among the issues the bill positively addresses are some mandatory minimum sentences as well as important prison reforms. At the same time, the bill falls notably short by... Read More
By Rabbi Lindsey Danziger, 12/20/2018
This post is adapted from Rabbi Danziger's prepared remarks for the Northeast Ohio Women's Summit. When I hear the term 'women in the workplace,' I picture power suits and pumps; water coolers and metal filing cabinets. As a rabbi and a community organizer, my workplace looks more like coffee shops and video conferences, jeans, messy ponytails and even, sometimes yoga pants! My actual office is the spare bedroom in my home, from which I will soon be evicted by the individual currently residing in my uterus. My husband and I are expecting our third child under the age of 4. When people... Read More
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