Understanding the World with Rachel Laser and Barbara Weinstein 11-14-13

Had a great conversation with Rachel Laser and Barbara Weinstein of the Religious Action Center RAC. We talked about what the RAC is, what it does, about a number of issues of concern to the progressive community and about the upcoming URJ Biennial in December. Rachel Laser is the RAC's Deputy Director. Ms. Laser has a diverse background in policy advocacy, coalition-building, message development and political strategy. She served as Senior Vice President at Hattaway Communications and as Director of the Culture Program at Third Way, a Washington, DC progressive think tank specializing in understanding and reaching moderates. Barbara Weinstein is the Religious Action Center's Associate Director. She directs legislative policy and oversees the RAC's Eisendrath Legislative Assistant program - a one year fellowship for recent college graduates focusing on Jewish values and social justice. Barbara is also the Director of the Commission on Social Action of Reform Judaism, a joint body of the Central Conference of American Rabbis and the Union for Reform Judaism and its affiliates that seeks to apply the insights of Jewish tradition to domestic and foreign issues including human rights, world peace, civil liberties, religious freedom, famine, poverty, as well as other major societal concerns.