WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) – Rabbi Jonah Pesner will serve as the Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (RAC), the Washington, D.C. advocacy and social justice arm of North America’s largest Jewish Movement. Rabbi Pesner, an accomplished advocate with broad experience leading social justice campaigns, comes to the RAC with a mandate to deepen its advocacy work while mobilizing the Reform Jewish community and its allies.
In announcing the appointment, Rabbi Rick Jacobs, President of the Union for Reform Judaism, said, “For more than half a century, the RAC has been a leading voice in Washington, D.C. for social justice. Some of the great advances in civil rights were literally written at our table. Jonah will carry that legacy forward with great distinction starting today. The issues our world faces are far too critical for us to lose any momentum during this transition. From day one, Jonah will be a powerful voice as he leads our work on economic inequality, climate change, U.S./Israel relations, healthcare reform, and more.”
Rabbi Pesner, who founded the URJ’s Just Congregations initiative that has mobilized thousands of social justice advocates, said of his new role, “Leading one of the most respected religious advocacy organizations in Washington, D.C. into its next chapter is a remarkable blessing, but more importantly, it is an opportunity to positively impact the lives of others by pursuing public policies that reflect our democratic and moral values. The pursuit of social justice has always been at the core of the RAC’s work and I am proud to continue that legacy going forward.”
Rabbi Pesner, who assumes the role as the 114th Congress opens, plans to focus on economic inequality, racial justice and climate change. “As I look at the tragedies in Ferguson and Staten Island, I fear that they are emblematic of what is happening in too many communities nationwide,” Rabbi Pesner said. “Fortunately, I know that the RAC staff is already engaged in this work, alongside our congregations in communities nationwide. Among our top priorities to address the racial disparity all too present in our society will be pushing for action in the new Congress to protect voting rights and to end racial profiling.”
Rabbi Pesner will succeed Rabbi David Saperstein, who served as director of the RAC for 40 years, building it into one of the most influential religious advocacy institutions in Washington, D.C. Rabbi Saperstein stepped down following his confirmation as the U.S. Ambassador for International Religious Freedom. The RAC operates under the joint auspices of The Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) and the Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR). Rabbi Pesner will assume the role of Director of the Religious Action Center beginning immediately. He will also continue to serve as Senior Vice President of the URJ, and will play a key role in infusing the work of social justice throughout the Reform Movement.
Rabbi Steve Fox, Chief Executive Officer of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, expressed enthusiastic support for the appointment, noting that, “At this moment in history, when we face renewed challenges in our ongoing work to bring about a just and fair society, Jonah is the right leader for the RAC. We will miss Rabbi Saperstein dearly, but we know that Jonah is a fitting heir to David’s significant legacy. Today, there is no institution more central to our Reform Movement’s pursuit of social justice than the Religious Action Center, and Jonah’s demonstrated ability to unite diverse voices from within our Movement and with others in pursuit of our common purpose will serve him and us well.”
Rabbi Saperstein added, “Jonah has been a partner in the RAC’s work for many years, and he has become a respected voice among government leaders as well as faith leaders both inside of and beyond the Jewish community. As I move on to my new role, I am heartened to know that Jonah will be here to continue moving our work forward.”
Jennifer Brodkey Kaufman, Chair of the Commission on Social Action of Reform Judaism said, “I have had the pleasure of working with Jonah for many years and know that an unyielding commitment to the work of tikkun olam is central to his rabbinate and his character. His leadership of the RAC will allow him to devote himself full time to this task, and we will all be the better for it.”
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Preceding provided by the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism.