What does my Jewish tradition say about civic engagement?
Reform Judaism Relgious Action Center
Individual Action
“The Torah teaches us, “This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live” (Deuteronomy 30). There is an eternal Jewish value, a mitzvah, that informs us to be active in shaping our future for the good, for a better life – u’vacharta b’chayim, choose life. When faced with options that offer us two or more different paths on which to proceed, we are instructed to choose, to make a selection, to vote.” – Rabbi Ron Symons
Collective Action
“The strength of our democracy rests on the notion that voters pick their leaders — our leaders do not get to pick their voters,” said Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, director of the RAC. “Every issue of importance to our Movement is on the ballot this year, including racial justice and access to abortion. We know the best way to combat white supremacy, antisemitism and attacks on bodily autonomy is by having a diverse, invested electorate. Those who show up as voters will help shape what is possible (and what is a priority) for Congress and state legislatures across the country.”
Advocacy 101
Calls on URJ congregations to:
Participate in the Reform Movement’s Civic Engagement Campaign led by the Religious Action Center;
Encourage 100% voting among congregants;
Support nonpartisan voter education and registration;
Work with interfaith and community partners to promote election integrity;
Support initiatives to educate voters about the new ways to cast their ballot; and
Advocate for states to implement measures to ensure the integrity of the electoral process.
https://urj.org/what-we-believe/resolutions/urj-resolution-free-and-accessible-elections
Government 101
The Sage Hillel taught “Al tifros min hatzibur, Do not separate yourself from the community” (Pirke Avot 2:5). Moreover, it is our responsibility to play an active role in our community and choosing its leaders.
Rabbi Yitzhak taught that “A ruler is not to be appointed unless the community is first consulted” (Babylonian Talmud Berachot 55a). Rabbi Yitzhak further explained that in the Torah, Bezalel could be chosen to build the Tabernacle only with the community’s approval. This deeply embedded ethic of political participation has guided Jews to enthusiastically participate in the American electoral process. As Reform Jews, we must heed the teachings of our tradition that speak to the dangers of mixing money and politics and recognize the distorting effect that money can have on a leader’s ability to govern fairly. We are reminded of this teaching from Deuteronomy 16:19, “You shall not judge unfairly: you shall know no partiality; you shall not take gifts, for gifts blind the eyes of the discerning and upset the plea of the just.” We are commanded to stand up for the widow, the poor, the orphan and the stranger. In a system that allows for disproportionate power of money, it is these groups who are ignored and who suffer the most.
National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW)
Individual Action
We are commanded to pursue justice.
Tzedek tzedek tirdof, or justice, justice shall you pursue — this is the guiding imperative of the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW). Our tradition teaches that we have an obligation to secure access to health care, welcome immigrants, care for those in poverty, ensure fair wages, and much more. We can impact the way the United States lives out these principles by voting.
https://www.ncjw.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Judaism-and-Voting
Collective Action
We must contribute to the place where we live.
Based on Jewish experiences of the Diaspora (starting in the 6th century BCE with the Babylonian exile), Jewish leaders have taught that our well-being is tied up with the well-being of the places in which we find ourselves. Through voting, we invest in the welfare of America and its democratic ideals. It’s on us.
A midrash teaches, “If a person sits in their home and says to themselves, ‘What have the affairs of society to do with me?… Why should I trouble myself with the people’s
voices of protest? Let my soul dwell in peace!’—if one does this, they overthrow the world.” It means that staying on the sidelines is in itself an act of destruction. We each must do our part to repair the world.
https://www.ncjw.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Judaism-and-Voting
Advocacy 101
We cannot remain silent.
The Talmud teaches that anyone who sees harm and does not speak out is held responsible. Our vote is our voice, and we must also protest attacks on the rights
of other voters. We are obligated to speak up and take action to ensure that every eligible person can cast a vote and have that vote counted.
We believe equality is a core Jewish value.
Judaism teaches we are all created in the divine image, b’tzelem Elohim. This means we are all equal, yet the United States is rife with injustice that particularly impacts people of color. Voter suppression tactics, such as voter purges and gerrymandering, hurt our democracy; we are obligated to fight for equal access to the ballot for all.
https://www.ncjw.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Judaism-and-Voting
Government 101
We need to exercise our rights.
Many rabbis have extended the idea of hakarat hatov — recognizing and appreciating the opportunities we have — to voting. Throughout history, there have been few times when Jews were able to have a say in the composition of their government. Our history compels us to exercise the rights that we have now and drives our work to strengthen and expand those rights for not only all Jews, but all people in the United States.
https://www.ncjw.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Judaism-and-Voting