Family Planning and Contraceptives
Access to affordable family planning services is a critical component of our reproductive health and rights advocacy, as access to these services equip individuals with the necessary tools to shape their lives and futures. Family planning can reduce maternal mortality by preventing unwanted pregnancies, protect the health of children by allowing sufficient time between pregnancies, and help stabilize population growth. Access to affordable family planning services can also disrupt generational cycles of poverty.
Family planning was named as a human rights obligation more than fifty years ago at the 1968 International Conference on Human Rights. However, despite global commitments to ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health care services (including for family planning), family planning and contraceptive access remains out of reach for millions of individuals across the globe, including North America.
On the Other Hand: Ten Minutes of Torah: A Little Drop of Sweetness - Parashat Nitzavim
This week we read Parashat Nitzavim, and we ring in the year 5780.
On the Other Hand: Ten Minutes of Torah: Moving On And Letting Go - Parashat Vayeilech
It’s that time of year, between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, where we are celebrating the New Year and contemplating our previous actions, while thinking about what comes next. Is there someone or something from this past year that just seems impossible to forgive?
On the Other Hand: Ten Minutes of Torah - Vayeilech: The Sacred Art of Letting Go
Parashat Vayeilech is read between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, a time of transition for all of us. We've brought in the new year with hopes, prayers, and the shofar, and we look toward Yom Kippur, where we are tasked with letting go of the last year and moving forward.
Standing with our Muslim Family
Bias and violence against the Muslim community is a growing, insidious issue in the United States. The number of assaults against Muslims in 2016 surpassed the modern peak reached in 2001, following the September 11th terrorist attacks, and incidents of anti-Muslim intimidation continue to rise, as well. In addition, the administration’s discriminatory travel ban now impacts individuals seeking visas from 13 foreign counties, most of which have Muslim-majority populations.
The Jews and Muslims are all the family of Abraham, and we stand side-by-side with our Muslim friends and family to reject Islamophobia in the strongest terms. We have a responsibility to vocally and forcefully oppose bigotry in all its forms. Our country is stronger because of the religious diversity and freedom that has always been our hallmark, and American Muslims are an indispensable part of this nation.
Podcast: The Power of Quiet Moments and Family Traditions
Learn about the techniques, challenges, and rewards of keeping the conversation about God open with our children.
Podcast: Giving Kids 'Downtime' and Religious School They'll Like
Hear a discussion on the importance of un-scheduling your kids so they can learn for themselves how to construct a meaningful life.
On the Other Hand: Ten Minutes of Torah: It Only Takes One - Parashat Va-et'chanan
Immigration Justice
Today, we face the enormous challenges posed by our nation's broken immigration system. Over 11 million undocumented immigrants live in the shadows of our communities across North America. Families face up to decades-long backlogs in acquiring visas, workers are left without protections, and children are left behind as parents are deported. We can no longer delay reform of our immigration system based on streamlined processing, a pathway to citizenship for DREAMers and TPS holders, upholding the right to seek asylum, family reunification, just and humane border security, and an end to immigrant detention.
Civil Rights & Voting Rights
The Torah teaches to accept others without prejudice and to work with others to achieve social justice. Since the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the Jewish community has continued its support of civil rights laws addressing systemic discrimination in voting, housing, and employment against not only women and people of color but also the LGBTQ community and people with disabilities.
Learn About the RAC and the Civil Rights Movement
The RAC's work on voting rights and democracy is made possible in part by the Leo and Libby Nevas Foundation.
Download our free Grow a Good Citizen: Every Voice, Every Vote activity book for kids ages 5-12, crafted with content from Highlights Magazine. It's packed with inspiring short stories, engaging games, and mind-teasing puzzles that educate and inspire action around voting and democracy, to help make sure everyone's voice is heard.