“Tzedek, tzedek tirdof” – “Justice, justice you shall pursue” we are commanded in Deuteronomy 16:20.
On Tuesday, May 21, at 7 p.m., the Jewish Federation of Louisville invites you to the second event in the Uniquely Jewish Events Series, “Advocacy: The Jewish Way,” at the Gheens Foundation Lodge.
The pursuit of social justice is a crucial part of Jewish life – whether that means building coalitions with other faith groups to fight poverty, promote literacy or support civil liberties or to speak out against anti-Semitism or the delegitimization of Israel.
Guest speaker Ethan Felson, vice president and general council of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, will share his insights and stories about national Jewish lobbying efforts, what lies ahead and how you can be involved.
Becky Ruby Swansburg is chair of this event.
The JCPA is the public affairs arm of the organized American Jewish community, representing 14 national Jewish agencies and 125 local Jewish Community Relations Councils. Felson has written and spoken on a broad range of topics including anti-Semitism, civil liberties, civility, freedom of speech, hate crimes, homeland security, interfaith relations, the role of religion and state, and non-profit tax issues. He is one of the lead professionals navigating the Jewish community’s relationships with Mainline Protestant and Evangelical Christians, Muslims, and others – and has spent ten years in the trenches combating anti-Israel delegitimization in American churches. He has guided JCPA’s participation in Supreme Court briefs on subjects including hate crimes, school vouchers, and religious liberties. He also leads JCPA’s national campaign to restore civility to Jewish and general discourse.
He is the author of a groundbreaking report analyzing the demographics of Palestinian Christians, a chapter on Evangelical/Jewish relations in “Uneasy Allies” (Temple University and Jewish Theological Seminary), and numerous articles and op-eds that have appeared in S’hma, JTA, the Forward, and elsewhere. Ethan is a graduate of Lehigh University, the Beit Midrash of Greater Hartford, and the University of Connecticut School of Law.
A light supper will be served. A Vaad-approved option is available if requested by May 13.
The Gheens Foundation Lodge is located inside the Parklands of Floyd Fork, 1310 S. Beckley Station Rd.
The cost of this event is $18. RSVP to Mary Jean Timmel, 238-2739 or mjtimmel@jewishlouisville.org, by May 17.
