WASHINGTON - January 31, 2017 -In response to the Boy Scouts of America's announcement that they will begin accepting members based on the gender listed on their application, Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, issued the following statement on behalf of the Union for Reform Judaism, Central Conference of American Rabbis and wider Reform Movement: "We applaud the Boy Scouts of America for taking this important step towards full equality for all of their members. As Reform Jews, we believe that every person is created in the image of God and that the Divine spark is present in each of us, thus we are all equally deserving of dignity and respect. This announcement is a momentous step toward broader inclusion and equality of transgender and gender non-conforming youth and adults in our society."

Washington, D.C., June 10, 2016 – In response to the Obama administration's May 13 guidance, directing public schools to ensure transgender students can access facilities that align with their gender identity and expression, over 30 faith groups sent this letter commending this important step for equality and inclusion of transgender and gender non-conforming people:

Washington, D.C., June 30, 2016 – In response to the announcement that the Pentagon will lift the ban on transgender troops, Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, issued the following statement: "Today's announcement that the Pentagon will lift the ban on transgender troops is an affirmation of what has always been true: transgender service members are committed to serving and protecting the nation and are best able to do so when they are free from fear of harassment for being who they are.

Washington, D.C., June 12, 2016 – In response to the tragic violence in Orlando, Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, issued the following statement:&nbsp "The horrific violence in Orlando shakes us to our very core.  The staggering loss of life, yet again facilitated by a military-style weapon that has no place on the street, causes us deep pain. We pray for those who were murdered, for healing of body and soul for the injured, and for comfort to the families of all who were present in Pulse nightclub.

Washington, D.C., June 20, 2016 – In response today's Senate votes on expanding mandatory background checks and closing the terror gap, Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, issued the following statement: "Today, the Senate again failed to take a necessary step toward addressing the horrifying epidemic of gun violence that grips this nation.  The recent massacre in Orlando was only the latest in a ceaseless string of gun deaths that have claimed the lives of Americans young and old, in every state. By failing to vote to close the background check loophole and to make sure that those who are deemed unsafe to fly cannot legally purchase a gun, some Senators have made clear that they are willing to let the country continue down the terrible path we have been on. We are deeply troubled, that in the wake of last week's immeasurable tragedy, the 60-vote threshold needed to advance these amendments was not met.

Washington, D.C., May 2, 2016 – In response to numerous anti-LGBT laws being introduced, and in many cases passed, at the state-level, the leadership of the Union for Reform Judaism, the Central Conference of American Rabbis, the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism and the North American Federation of Temple Youth issued the following statement:

Washington, D.C., January 25, 2016 – In response to hateful protests at a Jewish-sponsored LGBT event this weekend, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism Director Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner has released the following statement:

Washington, D.C., July 23, 2015 – In response to the introduction of the Equality Act, Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, issued the following statement:

Washington, D.C., July 30, 2015 – In response to the stabbing of six people at the Jerusalem Pride Parade earlier today, Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, released the following statement:

Washington, D.C., June 3, 2015 – Last week, Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, sent the following letter to the National President of Boy Scouts of America (BSA), Secretary Robert M. Gates, expressing the Reform Movement's support for lifting the ban on gay scout leaders and calling on the BSA to affirm that transgender boys can participate in and lead BSA troops. The letter reflects the Reform Movement's longstanding work on behalf of LGBT equality and our respect for the important role the Boy Scouts of America can play in cultivating strong values of leadership among youth:

Washington, D.C., March 30, 2015 – In the aftermath of Governor Mike Pence of Indiana signing a statewide Religious Freedom Restoration Act, Rachel Laser, Deputy Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, released the following statement:

Washington, D.C., April 1, 2015 – In response to the introduction of a Religious Freedom Restoration Act in North Carolina, on the heels of RFRA in Indiana, Rachel Laser, Deputy Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, released the following statement: