This page contains statements issued or endorsed by Reconstructionist institutions, grouped by primary topic.
Abortion
June 24, 2022
The Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association (RRA) and Reconstructing Judaism denounce the Supreme Court’s decision to suppress both bodily autonomy and religious freedom. The RRA and Reconstructing Judaism have long supported access to abortion care as a human right.
Bigotry and Racial Justice
January 31, 2023
Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association have signed on to an open letter to Elon Musk alongside 100+ Jewish organizations denouncing antisemitism on Twitter. Numerous racists and bigots who had been banned from the social media platform have been reinstated since Musk took over.
January 22, 2023
The Reconstructionist movement has adopted a Resolution on Reparations, making a commitment to “supporting and advocating for institutional, local and federal legislation and policies that specifically address the need for reparations.”
The resolution is a call for communal and national teshuvah, an opportunity for repentance, utilizing a Jewish framework to speak with moral authority on an issue of profound importance to American society and global efforts for justice.
December 15, 2022
The pilgrimage to the South for Jews of African descent who serve as leaders of the Reconstructionist movement was fully funded by Reconstructing Judaism. Participants were able to engage in healing work and visit sites imbued with trauma within a Jewish and Black context.
December 9, 2022
Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association have signed on to Jewish Rohingya Justice Network's Statement on Genocide Prevention Day.
November 11, 2021
We, the undersigned 21 national Jewish organizations, including the four streams of American Judaism, write to urge you to swiftly fill the position of U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism by considering the current nominee. Filling this position is a high priority for our organizations and of utmost importance in fighting growing antisemitism and hate worldwide.
October 28, 2021
In these polarized times, discourse over how best to confront antisemitism has often been visceral and sometimes taken on hyperbolic tones. At Reconstructing Judaism, we believe there are several steps toward a vigorous and constructive fight against rising antisemitism.
Civil Society
April 22, 2021
Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association applaud Tuesday’s guilty verdict in the murder of George Floyd as an important step toward basic accountability for racial violence in America. We join our allies around the world in taking a moment to breathe - a basic human right denied to George Floyd and countless others. For far too long, impunity has been the norm for actors of state-sanctioned violence against Black and Brown people, a pillar of the American racial caste system that has its roots in slavery and the lynchings of the Jim Crow era.
January 8, 2021
We must act now in defense of democracy and in support of a vibrant, principled America that values all voices and that protects all minorities. We must insist that perpetrators of this insurrection — from those who instigated to those who acted — be held accountable. We must work to ensure that the Biden administration works with Congress to enact meaningful reforms in support of racial justice and voting rights, and to combat the white nationalist movement. American democracy is a great, unfolding experiment that requires attention and effort. Let us renew our commitment to the work of furthering it.
November 9, 2020
Many American Jews considering voting to be a mitzvah, a commandment. It is essential that every vote is counted so that every voice is heard and so that our full-throated democracy can flourish.
June 12, 2020
Reconstructionist leaders were among 800 Jewish clergy from across the Jewish spectrum signing a letter in support of the fundamental right to peaceful protest.
April 2, 2020
Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association were about 180 Jewish communal organizations issuing a statement urging our political leaders and all our fellow Americans to treat this public health crisis as a moment for kindness and solidarity, and to make extra efforts to reach towards one another in support, not look to blame or scapegoat.
December 5, 2019
Hunger is not a political tool to be played with. Food security is a human right. Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association join our friends at MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger in denouncing the Trump Administration’s final rule to strip nutritional benefits for nearly 700,000 food-insecure Americans.
May 17, 2019
Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Assocation were among seventeen Jewish organizations writing to the Consumer Protection Finance Bureau in opposition to an administration proposal to rescind protections against predatory lending.
March 15, 2019
Reconstructing Judaism joined 35 national faith-based organizations in a statement opposing attempts to restrict states from providing food aid to the hungry.
February 6, 2019
Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association were among 131 organizations sending a letter to the House Ways and Means and Senate Finance committes, urging them not to repeal or weaken the “Johnson Amendment” that currently ensures that tax-exempt organizations do not support or oppose candidates for political office.
December 17, 2018
Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association were among 109 organizations sending a letter to the House of Representatives, urging them not to repeal or weaken the “Johnson Amendment” that currently ensures that tax-exempt organizations do not support or oppose candidates for political office.
Criminal Justice
August 30, 2019
We ask the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit to re-hear and reverse a ruling that found that staff at an Illinois prison did not violate the Constitution when they forced female inmates to engage in a deeply humiliating and dehumanizing strip search as part of a training exercise. The ruling “opens the door to other violation of prisoners’ First Amendement religious freedom rights and protections.”
Crisis Response
May 23, 2021
As North American Jewish denominations representing a significant majority of American Jewry, we join together to uniformly condemn rising incidences of antisemitism. We commend the many religious, civil society and political leaders of goodwill who have denounced these actions and are urging and implementing steps to strengthen efforts to combat antisemitism and antisemitic attacks.
February 26, 2021
Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association joined with other members of the Jewish Rohingya Justice Network in condemning the military’s coup in Burma (Myanmar), its brutal crackdown on peaceful protests, and the unjust and arbitrary detention and arrest of democratic leaders, activists, and protestors.
September 29, 2020
Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association joined 41 religious and non-profit organizations urging the Pennsylvania General Assembly to allocate relief money in order to cover the outstanding utility bills of vulnerable Pennsylvania residents and businesses facing shut-offs.
July 30, 2020
Reconstructing Judaism joined a letter signed by over 500 faith leaders and organizations, urging a national moratorium on water, electricity, and broadband shutoffs in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
June 2, 2020
The murder of George Floyd is a blatant display of the systemic racism built into the fabric of American society. To our black and brown siblings: your lives matter. We support non-violent protest to build a more just and equitable world for all people. Let our anger and our love lift us up into a better tomorrow.
May 13, 2020
Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association signed a joint letter to U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, demanding that Myanmar (Burma) make a priority of promoting human rights as COVID-19 spreads.
May 1, 2020
Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association were among 23 Jewish organizations writing to Speaker Pelosi and Minority Leader Schumer regarding priorities for COVID-19 relief.
May 1, 2020
Framework for Jewish communities to consider in returning to in-person communal activity
March 26, 2020
Based on our understanding of the science and the advice of experts, we, rabbis of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association, strongly come down on the side of pikuach nefesh - preserving lives. Therefore, we are issuing these guidelines in preparation for the upcoming Passover holiday and in awareness of the likelihood of continued concern over disease spread at this time.
March 24, 2020
Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association joined more than 650 Jewish organizations and clergy in a letter calling for increased and expanded nutrition assistance in the midst of the coronavirus crisis.
Death Penalty
August 27, 2019
Yesterday, we learned that the U.S. Justice Department will seek the death penalty against the suspected shooter in the 2018 mass shooting that devastated three congregations and rocked the entire North American Jewish community. Reconstructing Judaism is proud to share this moving statement from our Pittsburgh affiliate, Congregation Dor Hadash. And we note that Jewish tradition is weighted heavily against the use of the death penalty.
Domestic Violence
October 31, 2019
Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association joined over 200 national and local organizations to urge the U.S. Senate to pass the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act.
Environment
March 4, 2022
Reconstructionists gather for a movement convention, B’Yachad: Reconstructing Judaism Together.
July 31, 2020
Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association are proud to have joined with other Jewish organizations from around the country to call on Congress to pass a just, green COVID stimulus. Our community is still hurting from the economic effects of COVID, and it is important that we take this opportunity to rebuild in a way that make society sustainable and work for everyone.
September 18, 2019
Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association joined over 400 signatories to a letter to the UN Secretary General calling for a ban on fracking.
October 3, 2017
RRC/JRC signed onto a letter urging members of Congress to support HR-3671, “Off Fossil Fuels for a Better Future Act.”
June 13, 2017
Letter from American Jewish groups in response to the announced withdrawal from the Paris climate accord
Equal Protection
December 17, 2020
Reconstructing Judaism was among 51 organizations urging the Equal Opportunity Commission to withdraw or suspend its proposed changes to its Religious Discrimination Compliance Manual, due to lack of stakeholder consultation and public hearings with testimony from relevant stakeholders on religious discrimination.
September 29, 2020
Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association were among 18 religious and non-profit organizations signing onto an amicus brief to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in the case of Kennedy vs. Bremerton School District, in support of the school district’s efforts to protect students from religious coercion.
July 1, 2020
Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association joined an amicus brief filed by religious and civil rights organizations supporting equal application of public health measures to religious organizations.
June 16, 2020
Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association joined an array of interfaith groups in an amicus brief opposing mandatory attendance at religious services as a condition of parole. Forced religious indoctrination is a violation of religious liberty.
June 12, 2020
Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association joined an amicus brief filed by religious and civil rights organizations opposing special religious exemptions to generally applicable public health measures.
April 20, 2020
Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association joined a group of 20 faith groups urging federal and state prison systems to accommodate the religious needs of all prisoners and avoid using the coronavirus crisis to restrict their constitutional right to worship, particularly drawing attention to the needs of Muslim prisoners with Ramadan projected to begin on April 24. The full letter is attached.
November 20, 2019
Reconstructing Judaism joined an amicus curiae brief arguing against forcing states to fund religious education in violation of state constitutional provisions that are designed to protect the independence of religious groups.
July 23, 2019
Reconstructing Judaism joined 430 human rights, civil rights, faith, and professional organizations, leaders, and scholars in an open letter expressing deep concern about the State Department’s recently announced Commission on Unalienable Rights. The signers object to the Commission’s stated purpose, which they believe is harmful to the global effort to protect the rights of all peopl
April 29, 2019
Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association were signatories to a letter objecting to the Tennessee legislature’s proposed legislation that would allow federally funded foster care and adoption agencies to practice taxpayer-funded religious discrimination against potential adoptive and foster parents.
February 14, 2019
Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association joined more than 100 organizations in protest of the recent decision to exempt federally funded foster care agencies in South Carolina from federal religious nondiscrimination protections.
Government
November 4, 2020
Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association were among 12 faith organizations endorsing a letter to Congress urging action to ensure universal access to clean water.
September 29, 2020
Reconstructing Judaism joined a coalition of faith-based organization urging Senator Mitt Romney to reconsider his support for rushing through President Trump’s Supreme Court nominee with the Presidential election underway.
January 19, 2018
Reconstructionist organizations joined an amicus curiae brief by religious organizations in support of the rights of unions.
July 20, 2017
RRC/JRC signed onto a letter by faith organizations opposing funding of the proposed “Commission on Election Integrity,” calling on Congress to resist efforts to restrict the right to vote.
February 1, 2017
The Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College/Jewish Reconstructionist Communities express grave concerns over the nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch to the US Supreme Court to fill the seat left empty by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia almost one year ago.
November 14, 2016
The Reconstructionist Rabbinical College and Jewish Reconstructionist Communities, along with the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association, urge Trump to reconsider appointment of Stephen Bannon to a senior White House post.
Gun Violence
August 6, 2019
While raising our voices in prayer and condolences for the victims of this latest mass-shooting, we also raise our voices to call for the enactment and enforcement of reasonable gun laws throughout this country that would help prevent such tragedies.
February 15, 2018
Statement in response to the Parkland, Florida shooting. While raising our voices in prayer and condolences for the victims of violence, we also raise our voices to call for the enactment and enforcement of reasonable gun laws throughout this country that would prevent such tragedies.
October 2, 2017
Response to the violent shooting in Las Vegas that so far has ended 58 human lives and injured hundreds more.
Health Care
May 15, 2020
Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association, already among over 100 organizations endorsing the HEAL for Immigrant Women & Families Act of 2020, signed a group letter urging that the Senate pass it.
January 30, 2017
RRC/JRC joined this interfaith letter opposing the nomination of Tom Price as Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Immigration and Refugees
March 22, 2022
Following Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s March 16 speech to Congress, more than 375 Jewish and other faith-based groups and organizations urged President Joe Biden to take immediate steps to welcome refugees from Ukraine. Jewish Federations of North America spearheaded the letter, sent March 18.
May 1, 2020
Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association were among 192 Jewish organizations to urge Congress to insure that COVID-19 response includes refugees and asylum seekers.
March 6, 2020
Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Organization were among 153 signatories to a letter urging the Department of Homeland Security to end its “Migrant Protection Protocols” preventing asylum seekers from seeking refugee protection in the United States.
February 10, 2020
We urge every Reconstructionist community to stand with Dor Hadash and HIAS this coming March by participating in National Refugee Shabbat. In this way, we act on our values and gain strength from each other to create the world in which we want to live.
January 28, 2020
We join more than 40 faith and interfaith organizations to oppose new Trump administration regulations that would authorize indefinite detention of families with children during the course of their immigration proceedings.
October 7, 2019
Reconstructing Judaism endorses the Health Equity and Access under the Law (HEAL) for Immigrant Women and Families Act of 2019
August 22, 2019
Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association have joined with 18 organizations, representing the Jewish Rohingya Justice Network, in calling for justice and accountability for the Rohingya people and all ethnic minorities in Burma.
August 15, 2019
Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association condemn the violence committed against peaceful protestors at the entrance to an ICE detention center in Rhode Island.
August 8, 2019
Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association have joined with 166 Jewish organizations and institutions in urging the United States to return to historic numbers for refugee resettlement. “The United States has historically distinguished itself as a beacon of hope and as a safe haven for those who most need it… Resettling zero refugees in the U.S. in FY2020 would effectively gut the refugee resettlement program, violate our values as Jews and Americans, and abdicate the American promise of freedom and opportunity.”
March 27, 2019
Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association were among sixteen national Jewish organizations signing onto a letter of opposition to the nomination of Ronald Mortensen, an anti-immigrant extremist, as assistant secretary of state for the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration.
Israel
October 1, 2024
On hearing the news of Iran's attack on Israel as we approach Erev Rosh Hashanah, Rabbi Maurice Harris wrote the following prayer.
April 14, 2024
Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association (RRA) are deeply alarmed by yesterday’s large-scale attack launched by Iran on Israel involving a barrage of hundreds of missiles and drones.
March 5, 2024
Reconstructing Judaism joins multiple organizations affiliated with the Progressive Israel Network in signing on to a public letter to President Biden at this critical moment in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
October 11, 2023
Following is a statement by members of the Progressive Israel Network (PIN), a coalition of organizations representing Americans who are committed to pursuing democracy, equality and peace in Israel.
October 7, 2023
Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association are horrified by today’s massive attack on Israel by Hamas. We condemn the attacks unequivocally and join in solidarity with the people of Israel on this harrowing and difficult day.
July 27, 2023
Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association have signed on to this statement urging the Biden administration, as well as fellow US Jewish organizations, to help protect Israel from the irresponsible actions of its current government.
July 25, 2023
Reconstructing Judaism and the RRA strongly condemn this bill and call upon responsible leaders in the Knesset to end this divisive plan that will destroy the checks and balances that preserve Israel's democracy.
July 5, 2023
Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association join Jewish organizations condemning violent settler attacks on Palestinian communities
May 30, 2023
The Progressive Israel Network (PIN) welcomes the Biden administration’s national-level plan to fight antisemitism, a plan that demonstrates the federal government’s commitment to confronting this serious threat.
February 28, 2023
The Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association and Reconstructing Judaism condemn the killings of Hallel and Yagel Yamiv, and Elan Ganeles by terrorists in the West Bank. We also condemn those who used these tragedies as an excuse to rampage through the Palestinian town of Huwara, burning homes and cars and killing at least one Palestinian man, Samah Hamdallah Aktas, in what can only be described as a pogrom.
LGBTQ
April 17, 2023
Reconstructing Judaism and The Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association joins together with the Union for Reform Judaism, Keshet and 92 other Jewish organizations to oppose H.R. 734. Read the full letter here.
August 28, 2020
Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association joined an amicus brief to the Supreme Court opposing the claim of some religious social services providers to be exempt from nondiscrimination law.
January 31, 2020
We have joined a brief opposing a religious exemption to an antidiscrimination law protecting LGBTQ people. Based on our belief in the importance of the separation of church and state, as well as our understanding of Jewish teachings that every human being is created in the divine image, we have long advocated for public policies of inclusion, antidiscrimination, and equality.
May 17, 2019
Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Assocation were among 15 national Jewish organizations writing Congress in support of the Equality Act (H.R. 5). Driven by our Jewish values, we are committed to supporting laws that protect the civil rights and individual liberties of all people. The Equality Act is a significant step forward for the LGBTQ community, and we urge Congress to swiftly pass this important bill.
December 10, 2018
Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association were among sixteen national Jewish organizations expressing opposition to a proposed restrictive legal definition of sex that would effectively define out of existence the gender identities of millions of people.
October 23, 2018
We lift our collective voices in support of transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming people — our loved ones, our community leaders, and people across the globe.
October 30, 2017
Reconstructionist leaders joined an amicus brief in a Supreme Court case, urging against religiously-based exemptions to anti-LGBTQ discrimination.
April 26, 2017
RRC/JRC and the RRA joined this brief in opposition to the asserted right of a for-profit employer to fire a transgender female employee based on religious beliefs about sex roles and gender identity.
March 29, 2017
All branches of the Reconstructionist movement have adapted resolutions affirming the full equality of transgender, non-binary and gender non-conforming individuals.
Peace and War
February 25, 2022
Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association join countless nations and faith communities around the world in condemning the unprovoked and brutal Russian military invasion of Ukraine.
Reconstructionist congregations are part of the World Union for Progressive Judaism (WUPJ), which is also home to ten Ukrainian synagogues. We hold them, the entire Ukrainian Jewish community, and all the people of Ukraine in our hearts.
May 15, 2019
In May of 2019, the board of Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association adopted this resolution condemining genocide of the Rohingya people of Burma and urging action.
Pluralism
March 12, 2019
Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association signed onto a friend-of-the-court brief filed by Americans United in the case of Shurtleff vs. City of Boston, urging a federal appeals court to uphold the constitutionality of Boston’s policy against flying religious flags in front of City Hall due to such an act’s violation of the Establishment Clause.
January 30, 2019
Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association joined an amicus curiae brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to affirm that religious symbols erected on public property and maintained with taxpayer dollars are unconstitutional.
November 29, 2016
Our movement responds to recent vandalism of an Israeli Reform synagogue and death threats made against leaders of the Reform movement.
Prejudice
January 31, 2023
Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association have signed on to an open letter to Elon Musk alongside 100+ Jewish organizations denouncing antisemitism on Twitter. Numerous racists and bigots who had been banned from the social media platform have been reinstated since Musk took over.
December 15, 2022
The pilgrimage to the South for Jews of African descent who serve as leaders of the Reconstructionist movement was fully funded by Reconstructing Judaism. Participants were able to engage in healing work and visit sites imbued with trauma within a Jewish and Black context.
December 9, 2022
Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association have signed on to Jewish Rohingya Justice Network's Statement on Genocide Prevention Day.
November 11, 2021
We, the undersigned 21 national Jewish organizations, including the four streams of American Judaism, write to urge you to swiftly fill the position of U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism by considering the current nominee. Filling this position is a high priority for our organizations and of utmost importance in fighting growing antisemitism and hate worldwide.
October 28, 2021
In these polarized times, discourse over how best to confront antisemitism has often been visceral and sometimes taken on hyperbolic tones. At Reconstructing Judaism, we believe there are several steps toward a vigorous and constructive fight against rising antisemitism.
Prejudice, Bigotry and Racial Justice
November 24, 2021
The Center for Jewish Ethics at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College has received a transformative grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) to fund cross-disciplinary research into race, racism and the American Jewish experience. The center’s aims have an impact far beyond the academy by developing educational materials and programs for youth, individual adult learners, and communities.
The one-year, $199,850 grant will enable the Levin-Lieber Program in Jewish Ethics to establish and run a new initiative tentatively called “Race, Religion and American Judaism: Cross-Disciplinary Research, Public Scholarship and Curriculum Development.”
October 7, 2021
The Jewish Rohingya Justice Network applauds House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY), House Foreign Affairs Asia-Pacific Subcommittee Ranking Member Steve Chabot (R-OH) and Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) for their leadership in introducing the Burma Unified through Rigorous Military Accountability Act of 2021 or the BURMA Act. This legislation comes at a critical moment for all of the people of Burma, including the Rohingya people, and we call on every member of Congress to support this bill’s passage without delay.
July 19, 2021
In this workshop, Rabbi Lawson addresses the question, “What do our Jewish texts and values say about welcoming others into our communities?”
July 9, 2021
Although Reconstructing Judaism has not been asked to participate in the No Fear rally, and has therefore had no opportunity to participate in its messaging or planning, we endorse it in principle because we are firmly opposed to antisemitism and, in our efforts to foster engaged and substantive Jewish life and in our tikkun olam and public square work, we act continuously to counter it.
June 15, 2021
The Board of Governors of Reconstructing Judaism has adopted a comprehensive set of commitments to racial justice.
March 25, 2021
Reconstructing Judaism joined a wide-ranging group of Jewish communal organizations in sending a letter to Congressional leadership urging support of and solidarity with Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.
March 18, 2021
Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association mourn the devastating loss of life Tuesday in Atlanta, Georgia. Our hearts are filled with sorrow as we learn of the targeting of Asian American women. We stand with Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) members of our Jewish community and with the broader AAPI community in grief and solidarity for those lost
July 1, 2020
Reconstructing Judaism joined a coalition of civil rights groups to sign a letter opposing the Senate confirmation of Anthony Tata to a central Pentagon post due to his history of bigoted statements and actions.
June 25, 2020
Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association were among more than 500 Jewish organizations from across the racial and political spectrum; from different streams of Judaism; whose members trace their lineage from countries around the world; speaking with one voice to say that Black Lives Matter.
June 11, 2020
As progressive pro-Israel organizations and members of the American Jewish community, we are appalled and outraged by the bigotry and hatred expressed and promoted by Morton Klein, president of the Zionist Organization of America (ZOA), at this painful and important moment of reckoning for our country. Klein’s latest outbursts and long track record of bigotry should make him unwelcome in any mainstream Jewish communal spaces and should lead to his expulsion from organizational umbrella groups such as the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.
Reparations
January 22, 2023
The Reconstructionist movement has adopted a Resolution on Reparations, making a commitment to “supporting and advocating for institutional, local and federal legislation and policies that specifically address the need for reparations.”
The resolution is a call for communal and national teshuvah, an opportunity for repentance, utilizing a Jewish framework to speak with moral authority on an issue of profound importance to American society and global efforts for justice.
Reproductive Freedom
June 24, 2022
The Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association (RRA) and Reconstructing Judaism denounce the Supreme Court’s decision to suppress both bodily autonomy and religious freedom. The RRA and Reconstructing Judaism have long supported access to abortion care as a human right.
March 8, 2022
Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association joined more than 130 other faith and civil rights organizations on a letter urging the Senate to pass the Women’s Health Protection Act (WHPA), which would create a new tool for safeguarding access to high-quality abortion care and securing constitutional rights by protecting patients and providers from dangerous political interference. While the bill did not garner enough votes needed to pass this time around, we are proud to have stood with this coalition for reproductive justice and will continue to do so in the weeks, months, and years ahead.
January 3, 2020
Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association joined Americans United, ADL, and a variety of other religious and civil liberties organizations in an amicus brief opposing overbroad accomodation of employers refusing to participate in the Affordable Care Act’s requirements regarding contraception coverage. The U.S. Constitution’s Establishment Clause forbids the government to shift the costs and burdens of objectors’ religious beliefs onto third parties, and an accommodation without a demonstrated substantial burden on religion is an unconstitutional religious preference.
November 20, 2019
Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association joined an interfaith letter to the Senate Appropriations Committee, urging them to block implementation of the proposed “gag rule” affecting the Title X family planning program.
October 7, 2019
Reconstructing Judaism joined an amicus brief submitted by the ADL and Americans United for Separation of Church and State to challenge the Conscience Rights in Health Care Rule issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in 2018.
May 30, 2018
Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association signed onto an amicus curiae brief challenging religious organizations’ claim to be exempt from from providing, and empowered to block access to, women’s contraceptive services for their employees. Reconstructing Judaism believes both in the importance of the separation of church and state and that the reproductive rights of women must be preserved and protected.
October 22, 2015
Joint letter from 20 American Jewish organizations and communities supporting the EACH Woman Act to end bans on abortion coverage.
Voting Rights
March 23, 2021
Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Associations were among 79 national Jewish organizations urging members of Congress to pass the For The People Act (H.R.1/S.1) in order to enhance fairness, integrity and transparancy in our elections, create a democracy that values all voices, and build a more just society.