David Saperstein

David Saperstein

Director, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism

Rabbi David Saperstein is the Washington representative of Judaism's Reform Movement as Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, a position he has held for 30 years. The "On Faith" panelist also co-chairs the Coalition to Preserve Religious Liberty, and serves on the boards of numerous national organizations including the NAACP and People For the American Way. In 1999, Saperstein was elected first chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom created by Congress. The Religious Action Center advocates for a broad range of social justice issues and provides extensive legislative and program materials for synagogues, federations and Jewish community relations councils nationwide. It also coordinates social action education programs that train nearly 3,000 Jewish adults, youth, rabbinic and lay leaders each year. Also an attorney, Saperstein teaches seminars in First Amendment Church-State Law and in Jewish Law at Georgetown University Law School. He co-authored Jewish Dimensions of Social Justice: Tough Moral Choices of Our Time (1998). Close.

David Saperstein

Director, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism

Rabbi David Saperstein is the Washington representative of Judaism's Reform Movement as Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, a position he has held for 30 years. The "On Faith" panelist also co-chairs the Coalition to Preserve Religious Liberty, and serves on the boards of numerous national organizations including the NAACP and People For the American Way. more »

Main Page | David Saperstein Archives | On Faith Archives


January 2007 Archives



January 8, 2007 12:00 PM

My Father, A Rabbi With His People

My most formative religious experience was not contained in a single moment, but stretched over many years: it was the influence and model of my father.

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Posted by David Saperstein | | Comments (23)




January 20, 2007 10:09 AM

We have failed the test of Just War in Iraq

Just because you have a right to do something does not make what you do right – or wise. Hence while there may have been just cause to remove Saddam in the abstract, it does not make the decision to go to war or the way we fought the war right.

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Posted by David Saperstein | | Comments (5)




January 21, 2007 11:15 AM

Religion Has Double Role In Completing Women's March Towards Equality

The expansion of the rights of women was one of the great revolutions of the 20th century. Completing the march toward full and equal rights for women, I believe, will be viewed by future historians as the greatest achievement of the 21st century. Religion, paradoxically, will be a great impediment and catalyst in this enterprise.

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Posted by David Saperstein | | Comments (19)




January 26, 2007 7:18 AM

Guidelines for Candidates to Avoid Abusing Religion

Drawing the line correctly between appropriate and inappropriate religious rhetoric and activity in American elections and political life could significantly ease tensions in America’s culture war. "Appropriate," rather than “lawful” because religious candidates have the same constitutional rights as others to say and do what they please. But exercising that right does not make what they do good for either democracy or religion.

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Posted by David Saperstein | | Comments (28)


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What Islam Really Says About Violence, Rights and Other Religions

Gomaa, Fadlallah, Mubarak, Khan, Siddiqi, Ellison, others | On Faith

On Faith is an interactive conversation on religion moderated by Newsweek Editor Jon Meacham and Sally Quinn of The Washington Post. It is produced jointly by Newsweek and washingtonpost.com, as is PostGlobal, a conversation on international affairs. Please send your comments, questions and suggestions for On Faith to editor and producer David Waters.