Social Action
Women of Reform Judaism’s mandate for social justice advocacy is built upon three foundations: the WRJ constitution; its resolutions; and the values expressed in the texts of our tradition.
The WRJ Constitution, adopted in 1915 when sisterhood women were playing a significant role in the suffragist movement, requires that WRJ “serve Jewish and humanitarian causes....” and “continue to develop special relationships, concerns, and interests on behalf of ... national and international issues”. It also states that WRJ “shall cooperate with the Union for Reform Judaism’s various programs and projects ... to strengthen ... social advocacy, interreligious activities, and concern for Israel.”
Visit WRJ's Advocacy website for more resources.
"Reform Jews are committed to social justice. Even as Reform Jews embrace ritual, prayer, and ceremony more than ever, we continue to see social justice as the jewel in the Reform Jewish crown. Like the prophets, we never forget that God is concerned about the everyday and that the blights of society take precedence over the mysteries of heaven. A Reform synagogue that does not alleviate the anguish of the suffering is a contradiction in terms." - Rabbi Eric Yoffie, speech to the UAHC Executive Committee, February 1998
“The passion for social justice is reflected in the ancient words of our prophets and sages and in the declarations of our Movement’s leaders throughout its history. The ancient command “Tzedek, Tzedek Tirdof! Justice, justice shall you seek!” constantly reverberates in our ears. It has become deeply embedded in the Reform Jewish psyche. This charge has led to a long and proud tradition of political activism by the Reform Movement.” – Rabbi Marla Feldman, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (RAC/URJ) “Why Advocacy is Central to Reform Judaism”
Since the early 20th century, The Women of Reform Judaism has had a dynamic tradition of social justice advocacy that is built upon its constitution, its resolutions, and the values of tikkun olam—repairing the world--expressed in our sacred texts. How, we might ask, has this tradition of social justice been actualized? According to its website, WRJ most recently has advocated for health care coverage for children, supporting UN goals to reduce extreme poverty world-wide, funding international agencies fighting HIV/AIDS, ending the genocide in Darfur,supporting reproductive rights and stem cell research, insuring voting rights, legislating fair taxation policies, and working for security, peace, and religious pluralism in Israel. The WRJ website acknowledges that, at the local level, its women’s groups/sisterhoods "have implemented and enlivened WRJ’s social justice agenda by…for example, providing new school shoes for inner-city youngsters, services for patients with HIV/AIDS, gift bags, clothing and programming for women in shelters, packages for overseas military persons, and major efforts to alleviate hunger.”
Is there a difference in these types of social justice activities? We suggest that at a local level, most Sisterhoods and Congregations readily engage in direct service activities, such as providing shoes and clothing for underserved populations—which we might call “social action” pursuits. In constrast, at the national level, WRJ is engaged in “social justice” advocacy efforts targeting more systemic change to address the root causes of injustices in the world around us. While tzedek and tikkun olam embrace both social action and social justice initiatives, advocacy to address systemic problems of injustice may be more a more challenging pursuit for synagogues and sisterhoods, but certainly not one to avoid because it is difficult, or controversial, or potentially partisan. We can challenge our own sisterhoods and congregations to become embrace both avenues of social justice and social action to live the values of our Reform Jewish tradition.
The WRJ Constitution, adopted in 1915 when sisterhood women were playing a significant role in the suffragist movement, requires that WRJ “serve Jewish and humanitarian causes....” and “continue to develop special relationships, concerns, and interests on behalf of ... national and international issues”. It also states that WRJ “shall cooperate with the Union for Reform Judaism’s various programs and projects ... to strengthen ... social advocacy, interreligious activities, and concern for Israel.”
Visit WRJ's Advocacy website for more resources.
"Reform Jews are committed to social justice. Even as Reform Jews embrace ritual, prayer, and ceremony more than ever, we continue to see social justice as the jewel in the Reform Jewish crown. Like the prophets, we never forget that God is concerned about the everyday and that the blights of society take precedence over the mysteries of heaven. A Reform synagogue that does not alleviate the anguish of the suffering is a contradiction in terms." - Rabbi Eric Yoffie, speech to the UAHC Executive Committee, February 1998
“The passion for social justice is reflected in the ancient words of our prophets and sages and in the declarations of our Movement’s leaders throughout its history. The ancient command “Tzedek, Tzedek Tirdof! Justice, justice shall you seek!” constantly reverberates in our ears. It has become deeply embedded in the Reform Jewish psyche. This charge has led to a long and proud tradition of political activism by the Reform Movement.” – Rabbi Marla Feldman, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (RAC/URJ) “Why Advocacy is Central to Reform Judaism”
Since the early 20th century, The Women of Reform Judaism has had a dynamic tradition of social justice advocacy that is built upon its constitution, its resolutions, and the values of tikkun olam—repairing the world--expressed in our sacred texts. How, we might ask, has this tradition of social justice been actualized? According to its website, WRJ most recently has advocated for health care coverage for children, supporting UN goals to reduce extreme poverty world-wide, funding international agencies fighting HIV/AIDS, ending the genocide in Darfur,supporting reproductive rights and stem cell research, insuring voting rights, legislating fair taxation policies, and working for security, peace, and religious pluralism in Israel. The WRJ website acknowledges that, at the local level, its women’s groups/sisterhoods "have implemented and enlivened WRJ’s social justice agenda by…for example, providing new school shoes for inner-city youngsters, services for patients with HIV/AIDS, gift bags, clothing and programming for women in shelters, packages for overseas military persons, and major efforts to alleviate hunger.”
Is there a difference in these types of social justice activities? We suggest that at a local level, most Sisterhoods and Congregations readily engage in direct service activities, such as providing shoes and clothing for underserved populations—which we might call “social action” pursuits. In constrast, at the national level, WRJ is engaged in “social justice” advocacy efforts targeting more systemic change to address the root causes of injustices in the world around us. While tzedek and tikkun olam embrace both social action and social justice initiatives, advocacy to address systemic problems of injustice may be more a more challenging pursuit for synagogues and sisterhoods, but certainly not one to avoid because it is difficult, or controversial, or potentially partisan. We can challenge our own sisterhoods and congregations to become embrace both avenues of social justice and social action to live the values of our Reform Jewish tradition.
Standing up for Women's Rights
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