An Open Letter to President Trump

Dear Friends:

This morning, the nation woke up to news that will shape us for the next four years and beyond. Like everyone else, I am experiencing a range of strong emotions. I also awoke believing in the same core Jewish commitments that have called generations of our people to use our God-given gifts to shape a world of holiness, dignity, justice, and love, even as we face this challenging new day.

These are the deeply held Jewish values that undergird our movement's commitment to civil rights, women’s rights, LGBTQ+ equality, caring for the health of our environment, every individual’s right to reproductive and other forms of health care, and more.

Across the country, Reform Jews, communities, and congregations are experiencing the pain of the demonization of difference that has become normative in our contentious political culture. This pain may be accompanied by fear, anxiety, sadness, confusion and even anger. We must remain steadfast in our dedication to supporting one another in fostering compassion, resilience, and understanding within our communities. Together, we will confront these challenges by promoting dialogue, embracing diversity, and advocating for a society rooted in justice and respect for all.

There will be opportunities to advance our vision of justice, rooted in the knowledge that we are all made more whole when we treat others with the respect every human being deserves.

The strength of our movement has always been in the community that we are, standing alongside each other in moments of joy and moments of challenge. We will care for “the orphan, the widow, and the stranger.” We will remain firm in our values and bring them to bear in the public square. We will speak truth to power.

Sign the letter

Join us in adding your name to this letter to President Trump amplifying this expression of our values and commitments.

In solidarity,

Rick