Faithful Reform- Interfaith Coalition for Healthcare“Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then has the health of my poor people not been restored?” --Jeremiah 8:22

JRF and our member communities have been actively supporting the need for healthcare reform in the United States. We will continue to join other Jewish religious movements and organizations to this end.
As people of faith, we envision a society where each person is afforded health, wholeness, and human dignity.

That vision as collectively articulated by the interfaith coalition Faithful Reform for Healthcare and the former "We Believe" interfaith action, embraces a system of health care that is inclusive... accessible... affordable... and accountable.  read more »

The JRF-GreenFaith Partnership

GreenFaith and the JRF through the Department of Congregational Services and Tikkun Olam are pleased to announce a three-year partnership to promote a deepening of JRF’s existing environmental initiatives. GreenFaith is a leading national interfaith environmental coalition whose mission is to help diverse religious communities become environmental leaders.  GreenFaith is a leading interfaith environmental coalition whose mission is to educate, equip and empower diverse religious communities for environmental leadership.  Founded in 1992, GreenFaith offers a range of programs that help faith-based groups nationwide put their beliefs into action for the earth.  The Jewish Reconstructionist Federation has had a long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship and the role of the Jewish people in building sustainable communities (http://jrf.org/Sustainable_Synagogue_Resources).  read more »

HaKotel L’Kulam — The Western Wall Should Be For All

A Statement in Support of the “Women of the Wall”

  
Social action based on Jewish ethics is a central part of Reconstructionist community activity. In Israel and North America, Reconstructionists actively support The Women at the Wall, who advocate equal worship rights for men and women in Israel.

The Reconstructionist Movement supports the efforts of the Women of the Wall.      read more »

A 7.2 earthquake struck the eastern region of Turkey on Sunday, October 23rd. JRF, a member organization of the Jewish Coalition for Disaster Relief, has joined the collective relief effort. See:  read more »

With the recent news that United States special forces have killed Osama bin Laden, the Jewish and larger community have responded with a diverse range of commentary. Our Jewish tradition cautions us around celebrating the death of any human being, including our enemies. At the same time there is a sense of relief and justice, given that Osama bin Laden was responsible for the deaths of so many people around the world of all backgrounds, and thousands at the World Trade Center on Sep. 11, 2001. His death also raises a complex and varied range of thoughts and emotions in the United States and around the world.

Watch President Obama announce the death of Osama bin Laden 
Jewish Council on Public Affairs Response 
JTA coverage of  “Jewish Organizational Statements”                                                                                                                                                  
JTA Article on "How Jews Should Respond" NPR article on reaction in the Arab world
Response Lesson to be used to understand the Jewish Response to the death of Osama bin Laden by Robyn Faintich, JewishGPS “The Death of Osama bin Laden” A source sheet to help guide class discussion
Rabbi Goldie Milgram's Philadelphia Voice Blog
Rabbi Brant Rosen's Blog

Thomas Friedman, NY Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/04/opinion/04friedman.html?_r=1&ref=thomaslfriedman

"Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that." - Martin Luther King, Jr. (http://www.salsa.net/peace/conv/8weekconv4-2.html)

A series of deadly tornadoes swept across the Southeast United States in April, and again in May, and intense rains have contributed to the flooding of the Mississipi at the same time. Below are organizations we recommend for tornado relief efforts:

Southern Jewish Life

http://www.jewishfederations.org

Hosea Feed the Hungry

Nechama: A Jewish Response to Disaster

URJ (Reform)

http://www.jewishkansascity.org/tornadorelief2011.aspx

http://technolog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/05/23/6700666-joplin-tornado-how-to-help

JRF and Jewish groups have mobilized to repsond to the March 11 tsunami that hit Japan. This is a time to offer our prayers, our financial resources and words of comfort for those whose lives have been lost in the Tsunami in Japan, the survivors trying to reclaim their lives or searching for loved ones, and for the people of Japan who are living with ongoing repercussions from the disaster and nuclear plant malfunction threats among so many other challenges. You may also consider reaching out to your local Japanese communities to lend emotional and functional support as needed.

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With sadness we share the news of today’s bombing in Jerusalem, which has taken one life so far and injured many. We share the condemnation of the attacks and the prayers of healing for those injured, and of consolation to the families of those who have lost loved ones and pray the recent increase in violence and attacks will bring all parties back into peaceful dialogue and not instigate further loss of life.  read more »

For Passover, the JCPA along with MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger, is once again offering a phenomenal mobilizing event through which JRF communities, congregations from every Jewish stream and local JCRCs can engage community members in meaningful anti-poverty advocacy: The Hunger Seder.  read more »

JRF supports the work of our own and other denominational rabbis and social justice advocates in the struggle to preserve worker's rights in Madison, WI and around the United States.  read more »