Now is the time for Reform Jews across the U.S. to use our voices and our votes to promote our values and ensure strong leadership at every level of government.

On Sunday morning, the Reform Jewish Movement lost one of our giants. Rudi E. Scheidt Sr. was 95 years old when he died peacefully at home in Memphis, TN.

We want to take a moment to update you on what we know, what we’re doing, and what we suggest to congregations at this moment in time and going forward.

From policy victories, to activating our base, to driving the narrative around Jewish values in the public square, here is a sample of the RAC’s impact in a few of our priority areas.

Grounded in Jewish values, the Fain Awards are presented to congregations who advocate for and organize around pressing social justice issues, protect vulnerable populations, and engage across lines of difference. We hope that the work of this year's recipients inspires others to move into deeper action.

Editor's note: The text that follows was presented before a live audience at the 2019 URJ Biennial on Thursday, Dec. 12.

Good evening. My name is Elias Rosenfeld, and I am a 22-year-old senior at Brandeis University.

We are living in an urgent time. Reform Jewish communities are pursuing justice through the Brit Olam at the local, state/provincial, and federal levels to bring about a world in which all people experience wholeness, justice, and compassion.

Reform Jews and our institutions must start participating in the dialogue around what a just reparations system looks like and calling on our elected officials to do the same.

We;ve renewed and relaunched the Brit Olam with multiple entry points for communities to advance justice at the local, state, provincial, and federal levels, and to ground this work in Jewish text and tradition.