April 7, 2022, WASHINGTON - In response to the confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court of the United States, Rabbi Marla Feldman, Executive Director of Women of Reform Judaism, and Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism and Senior Vice President of the Union for Reform Judaism, released the following statement on behalf of the Union for Reform Judaism, the Central Conference of American Rabbis, Women of Reform Judaism, and the wider Reform Movement institutions:
Rabbi Marla Feldman: “Women of Reform Judaism applauds the Senate on working swiftly to fulfill their constitutional responsibility of providing ‘advice and consent’ on Supreme Court nominees. The historic confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman to be a U.S. Supreme Court Justice, is a milestone for our nation, affirming not just Judge Jackson’s qualifications, but the importance of the Supreme Court better reflecting the people it serves.
Inspired by our Jewish tradition, Judge Jackson and the Supreme Court of the United States must not “favor the poor nor show defense to the rich but judge your neighbor fairly” (Leviticus 19:15). We are confident that soon-to-be Justice Jackson will judge fairly as the Court considers some of the most pressing issues our country faces including abortion access, racial justice, voting rights, and our fundamental freedoms regardless of background, faith, or identity.”
Rabbi Jonah Pesner: “We celebrate this historic moment when our nation’s highest court will finally begin to look more like America itself. Federal courts at all levels play a critical role in safeguarding our fundamental freedoms, and new Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson has not only broken a glass ceiling, but she will bring unique experience to the bench as the only current Justice with a background as a public defender, and the first since Justice Marshall. We look forward to seeing how Justice Jackson will contribute to a Supreme Court that protects the constitutional rights of all.”
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The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism is the Washington office of the Union for Reform Judaism, whose 850 congregations across North America encompass 1.8 million Reform Jews, and the Central Conference of American Rabbis, whose membership includes more than 2,000 Reform rabbis. Visit www.RAC.org for more.
Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ) is a network of Jewish women working together to empower women and communities worldwide through the bonds of sisterhood, spirituality, and social justice. WRJ, founded in 1913, is the women’s affiliate of the Union for Reform Judaism, the central body of Reform Judaism in North America. For more information about WRJ, please visit our website at www.wrj.org