Presented by Rabbi David Saperstein
Director Emeritus, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism
American Jews have experienced unprecedented freedom and opportunity in this nation. Yet, today, we witness threats to the very democratic institutions that made this golden age possible, from intensifying political polarization and rising hate crimes, disproportionately affecting Jews, to the erosion of the rule of law and minority rights. Some say that Golden Age is over; some are committed to preserving it. Defending democracy is not merely a matter of self-interest but about fulfilling our deepest obligations to the principles ensuring that all minority communities can thrive in a pluralistic society, the principles that transformed America into a beacon of hope for all in our own land and for the oppressed worldwide. What should be our response to these challenges at this crossroads for our nation and our community?
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Thank you to our generous program sponsors, Edie and Art Hessel, for helping us bring this talk to the Haberman Institute community.
Rabbi David Saperstein is director emeritus of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, having served as its director and counsel for 40 years. Designated by Newsweek Magazine as the most influential rabbi in America and by the Washington Post as the "quintessential religious lobbyist on Capitol Hill," under Rabbi Saperstein, writes J.J. Goldberg in his book Jewish Power, the Religious Action Center "has become one of the most powerful Jewish bodies in Washington, second only to AIPAC."
The first rabbi in American history to have been designated a U.S. Ambassador, during the second term of the Obama administration, Rabbi Saperstein served as the United States Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, carrying out his responsibilities as the country's chief diplomat on religious freedom issues. In this capacity, he served as a principal advisor to Secretary Kerry and President Obama on issues of international religious freedom and travelled widely as America's advocate for religious freedom and for the security of religious minorities across the globe. From 2019-20, Rabbi Saperstein served as the President of the World Union for Progressive Judaism, the international arm of the Reform Jewish Movement. He remains today the senior advisor to the Union for Reform Judaism.
We extend a special thank you to Andrew R. Ammerman for sponsoring our Fall 2025 program lineup. He dedicates the our learning in loving memory of Josephine and H. Max Ammerman and Stephen C. Ammerman.