Jewish Reconstructionist Federation

• Ritual: A Prayer for Darfur
  By Rabbi Jerry Seidler
  This prayer was written in advance of the April 30, 2006 day of rallies for the people for Darfur that took place across the U.S.
  
  
• Speech: Darfur: A Religious Imperative
  By Rabbi Steve Gutow
  A passionate plea for action in Darfur, Sudan in response to genocide. Speech was given on April 29, 2006 to a JRF gathering at the I Street Synagogue in Washington, D.C. in advance of the April 30th Save Darfur rallies held in Washington, D.C. and around the country.
  
  
• Ritual: Passover Reading on Darfur Genocide
  By Rabbi Michael Strassfeld
  Written for the April 30, 2006 rally to stop the genocide in Darfur, this prayer is a riff on the Passover song, "Who Knows One?" Each verse delineates another horror taking place in Sudan. Our knowledge of these facts cannot be denied. Action is the only alternative.
  
  
• Advocacy Help: Resource Kit for Darfur Activism
  By West End Synagogue Yad Mordecai Social Action Committee
  Packet that both makes the case for the importance of advocacy on stopping genocide in Darfur and also helps groups and individuals to get that work done. Beautiful and moving photos are included and literally put a face to the conflict. Many clickable web links are included in the pdf. The production of this packet serves as a model of what lay committees in congregations can do that serves others.
  
  
• Article: RRC Divests from Sudan
  By Jewish Telegraphic Agency
  In the wake of the Darfur demonstrations on April 30, 2006, The Reconstructionist Rabbinical College's Board of Governors divested its endowment holdings from Sudan. This is the JTA article that reported that event.
  
  
• Speech: The FAQs of Genocide: Four Questions Frequently Asked of a Jewish Darfur Activist
  By Rabbi Brant Rosen
  Speech delivered on April 29, 2006 at a JRF gathering the night before the Save Darfur rally in Washington, D.C. The speech answers common questions asked by Jews in assessing the importance of this issue. It is a forceful argument for full engagement by the Jewish community in efforts to stop the genocide in Darfur, Sudan.
  
  
• Ritual: The Spiritual Dimension of Justice
  By Rabbi Shawn Zevit
  Prayers, songs, and text study meant to be used to focus and inspire those set out to do social justice work.
  
  

We at JRF stand in support and solidarity with our Muslim Sisters and Brothers during this 2010 celebration of the Holy Month of Ramadan and including the celebration of Eid al-Fitr, the festival at the end of Ramadan, which this year coincides with the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks in New York, Washington, and Pennsylvania, as well as the start of the Jewish High Holy Days and Rosh HaShanah. This coincidence of events, particularly the proximity of Eid al-Fitr and the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks presents very specific challenges.  read more »

Pakistan has been affected by the worst floods in living memory. 13.8 million people have been displaced by the floods in Pakistan and 6 million of these require immediate help according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The floods have severely affected all of the provinces of the country and the magnitude of the devastation dwarfs other recent natural disasters. The millions who have been displaced were living at or below the poverty line and whatever little possessions and assets they had have been washed away, and their crops destroyed by the flood. The public infrastructure in the region - including access roads and bridges - have been badly damaged or have collapsed. There is a desperate need for temporary shelter, clean drinking water and toilets to avert a public health catastrophe. People also need basic goods and essential medical care.   read more »

A CALL TO OBSERVE SHABBAT NOACH, OCTOBER 9-10,2010, AS THE SECOND ANNUAL "GLOBAL CLIMATE HEALING SHABBAT"

The Jewish Reconstructionist Federation, as well as leaders and organizations of many other streams of Jewish life, have endorsed a call to focus Shabbat Noach on October 9-10, 2010 as Climate Healing Shabbat. The Torah passage for that Shabbat lends itself to focusing on the danger of destruction of life on our planet, and also on the actions we need to take to prevent destruction and preserve the web of life in which the human race has emerged and created civilization.

We urge congregations to bring sermons, prayer, song, poetry, midrash, resolutions, invitations to public officials, etc., to focus on this issue.
  
The international observance of "Global Climate Healing Shabbat Noach" is a prelude to the crucial United Nations conference on the climate crisis scheduled for December, 2010.
 read more »

How do we stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons and funding terror?
End America’s reliance on foreign oil.

Last week, JRF joined several other Jewish organizations in this New York Times ad urging the US government to pursue green energy sources, and end our dependence on foreign oil that can channel funds into the hands of terrorist regimes.

Along with the ad, this petition was included. The petition is to urge US Senators to make energy security policy and climate change national priorities.

This effort was led by the Jewish Council for Public Affairs.

JRF Supports Immigration Reform

The Jewish Reconstructionist Federation continues to work with a coalition of Jewish and interfaith organizations towards comprehensive reform of the immigration system in the United States. Our key partner in this endeavor is HIAS (The Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society).  read more »