Social Justice Conference: Sign Up to Make a Difference

What defines a winner? In a democracy, is it who gets the most votes on Election Day, or something else? What do you do if the winning candidates are not supportive of the issues you hold near and dear? I am constantly tackling this question as a co-chair, along with Jane Taves, of the Rabbi Marla J. Feldman Social Justice Conference to take place April 4-7, 2025 in Washington DC. Registration is now open, and I hope you will attend! 

Here’s another question: Have any of you heard friends, family, or work colleagues say something like:  

• “How did the reproductive rights ballot measure fall short in Florida?” 
• “Was there something in how messaging didn’t work?”
• “I’m so depressed.”  
• “There must be something wrong with the voters out there.”  (Personally, this is our least favorite, and I will expand on why below.) 

But perhaps you have also heard…. 

• The WRJ affiliated campaign “Every Voice Every Vote” contacted an unprecedented 155,000 voters with postcards, phone banking and text banking. 
• By state law, the threshold for the Florida measure to pass it had to reach a 60% super-majority (it got 57.7%). 
• Measures in support of reproductive freedom passed in states. 
• “I’m not giving up.” 
• “The work goes on.” 

 Judaism tells us to ask questions, and questions do NOT substitute for taking action.  Since early summer as co-chair, along with colleagues on the Social Justice Conference planning committee, I have been planning topics and speakers that will fall in step with our work. Yes, ask the questions in the first group of bullet points above, and remember the points in the second group and that forging a path forward is even more critical than ever. 

The Social Justice Conference will include keynote speakers, panels, and workshops. Plans are still underway, but a preview of topics that will be addressed include Israel, antisemitism, immigration and refugee rights, civil rights and racial justice, DEI, climate, reproductive rights and the upcoming World Zionist Congress elections.   

I expect to ask questions, talk and listen, and to offer “toolboxes” to guide us in following up on the topics with action at home.  

The conference will conclude with a day of lobbying on Capitol Hill. Never lobbied before? There will be training sessions!! 

The entire Social Justice Conference is open to those who identify as women, nonbinary, and gender fluid. And on Sunday evening and Monday, WRJ is sponsoring a Reform Movement-wide ‘fly in day’, welcoming everyone in the movement to join us, including those who identify as men. Those interested in this option, can register for the “Empowerment package.” 

Some may find these times are heavy on the mind and soul. For the conference we plan to incorporate sessions that would address self-care and self-healing, and reintroducing “Talk For A Change,” a tool to help us talk to others with whom we don’t see eye to eye. I will share here it's something I personally desire. Going back to our “least favorite question” above about “what is wrong with the voters” - it’s not our friendships that should end, but our vocabulary that should improve. 

There will of course be an inspiring Shabbat, festive meals, and sisterhood! The times may be heavy, but these activities are the perfect antidote to anything that troubles us on a good day! 

So the work goes on, especially in challenging times. As Dorothy Fields wrote to Jerome Kern’s melody it’s time to: 

“Pick yourself up, 
Take a deep breath, 
Dust yourself off 
And start all over again”.  

President Barack Obama used these words in his first inaugural address.  Let’s borrow them again for our inspiration now!