Below are templates of letters that you can copy and paste into your email and send to the Head of a Jewish Organization or to your Rabbi.
Dear President of [Organization – UJC, JTA, AJC, Hadassah, The Jewish Federations of North America],
As a member and a contributor, I am writing to you today regarding my concern for the organization’s agenda.
I am a strong and proud supporter of Israel. As such, I want to see Israel as a homeland for all Jews and as a country that supports “freedom of religion and conscience” – as promised in the country’s Declaration of Independence.
I know that there are many meaningful causes in Israel and the Jewish community that require our attention and support. I believe that Israel’s continuation of the status quo of the ultra-Orthodox monopoly in Israel is of growing concern. The trend towards religious extremism in Israel is a real and growing threat to both Israel and American Jewry. The Government of the State of Israel needs to be pressured to promote Jewish pluralism in the country.
It is vital to the continued strength of Israel-Diaspora relations that Israel equally recognize, accept, and support all streams of Judaism.
I strongly believe that putting pressure on the Israeli government and financially supporting organizations working towards Jewish pluralism in Israel should be at the top of this year’s agenda.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
_____________________
Dear Rabbi,
As a congregate, I am writing to you today to ask you to become more active in the push for Jewish pluralism in Israel.
It concerns me to a great deal that Israel does not equally support our stream of Judaism. The financial support the the ultra-Orthodox Rabbinate and its religious facilities receive from the government is a clear statement of bias towards one stream of Judaism over another. Specifically, it disheartens me that the government does not accept the authority of our Rabbis in issues of conversion, marriage, death, and other important Jewish life cycles.
Firstly, I would like to request that you recommend that our movement at an organizational level identify Jewish pluralism as a leading issue on its agenda and begin to work towards change.
Secondly, I want to request that when you call for support of Israel, that you specify that it is not unconditional support. Financially, we should be supporting organizations that align with the value system of our stream of Judaism.
Lastly, I am hoping that you can raise awareness to the lack of Jewish pluralism in Israel and call on our congregants to put pressure on Israel to become a more democratic and pluralistic society.
I believe that it is vital to the continued strength of Israel-Diaspora relations that Israel equally recognize, accept, and support all streams of Judaism.
Sincerely,
[Your name]