Reflections from the Religious Action Center’s Consultation on Conscience
When I was a kid, I’d often sing this Hebrew song, “Ani v’atah n’shaneh et haolam – you and I we’ll change the world… others have said it before me but it doesn’t matter. It will be tough for us, no matter, it’s not too bad.” That is how one feels when one attends our Reform Movement’s Consultation on Conscience as I did this week. Reform Jews from across the country come to Washington to reflect on critical issues of the day and our potential role in making a difference.
Tears come to my eyes when I think about the presentation of Bryan Stevenson who authored the book, Just Mercy. In our country, we have African-American children who were poorly represented in court facing unjust sentences in adult prisons. I cannot erase from my memory the stories of the abuse these kids face. Their experiences make me shudder and destroy my sense of peace. As we fight for own children, we must fight for all children. There are 10,000 kids in adult prisons. Stevenson said, “The opposite of poor is not wealth, the opposite of poor is justice.” This week’s Torah portion, Kedoshim, that stands at the heart of Torah clearly states, “You shall not render an unfair decision: do not favor the poor or show deference to the rich: judge your kinsman fairly.” It is our Jewish responsibility to achieve justice for our country’s incarcerated kids.
A smile comes to my face when I think about the presentation of Evan Wolfson, the architect of the Freedom to Marry movement. For four decades he and his colleagues have worked to make marriage reality for our lesbian and gay brothers and sisters. I was honored to serve on a panel following his presentation to share the struggles and successes of Beth El in fighting for equality. This morning, the Supreme Court heard arguments on four cases challenging the freedom of same sex couples to marry. They will likely share their decision in June. We can know that we, in Charlotte, had a hand in moving our country forward on this issue.
I felt a knot in my stomach when Israeli Reform leaders articulated the battle we sense to be true. There is a frightening struggle in the Knesset and Israel’s political leadership over the Jewish and democratic nature of the State of Israel. There are those who elevate a Jewish State at the expense of a democratic state. In our eyes, one does not preclude the other. Democratic values are Jewish values. May we work to support our family in Israel especially the Israel Religious Action Center as they struggle daily in legal, political, and religious realms to ensure these values are lived.
For some Jews, rituals are central to their faith. Traditional Jews are diligent in their observance of kashrut and strict Shabbat observance. For other Jews, the pursuit and embrace of justice are critical expressions of their Judaism. Environmental issues, racial justice, and economic justice are just some of the current areas of focus for our movement.
What keeps you up at night? I’d love to hear what problems of our community cause you anxiety and what successes make you smile. Write me any time – day or night.
I believe the words of the childhood song I learned long ago.
“You and I we’ll change the world… others have said it before me but it doesn’t matter. It will be tough for us, no matter, it’s not too bad.”
