On Thursday, a front-page New York Times story reported on the reaction of 4 major rabbinical groups to Charlottesville.
The organizations — representing a variety of Jewish religious practices — strongly criticized President Trump’s reaction to the carnage. They also announced they would not participate in a traditional High Holy Days conference call with the president.
The Times quoted Rabbi Jonah Pesner — director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism — as saying that Jews were appalled by Trump’s equivocal response to the events.
Rabbi Jonah Pesner
Pesner — who participated in 2 High Holy Days calls during the Obama administration — said there was “a lot of sadness” about the decision not to speak with Trump.
Westporters remember Pesner as assistant rabbi of Temple Israel from 1997 to 1999.
“Those of us who were privileged to work with and learn from him knew that he was destined to accomplish much,” recalls former senior rabbi Robert Orkand.
“Indeed, he went on to serve with great distinction at Temple Israel in Boston, and as a senior vice president of the Union of Reform Judaism before assuming his current position.”
Orkand is “proud to call Rabbi Pesner my friend, colleague and teacher. And I am proud that his leadership has led the religious movement I served for more than 40 years to take a courageous stand in opposition to bigotry and hatred.”
(Hat tip: Susan Farewell)
I was wondering if this was the Rabbi Pesner I remember from his time at TI. He was a wonderful voice for justice then and I’m glad to remember that it continues.