Rac Talks

Jake Schneider - Nuclear Proliferation Most Americans do not understand the full impact of terrorism. Their only experiences with the subject are stories of the Middle East or, more closely, the September 11th attacks. As a Jew, I care a great deal about the future of Israel, a state threatened by terrorist organizations. Moreover, as the son of a working man who never walked away from the Twin Towers, I have the experience to understand the full and farreaching effects of terrorism. This is a problem that can socially, mentally, economically, end physically cripple any man, family, nation, and even the whole world. Today, the greatest threat to international security is a nuclear bomb. While currently the situation is stable, there is a good chance there will be conflict in the future. As it is, Iran, a country known to support terrorist groups, is currently enriching Uranium to weapons grade in hopes of attaining a nuclear weapon. If not ominous already, Iranian President Ahmadinejad claimed that “ We shall soon experience a world without the United States and Zionism.” Personally, this seems more of a promise than a threat, which makes it infinitely more terrifying. The Talmud tells us Jews to “seek peace and pursue it.” As an American I was raised to do the same and to take the role as a leader in this International endeavor It is clear to me that a nuclear Iran cam easily lead to nuclear terrorists. As a country that has experienced terrorism firsthand, the US should have a large interest in preventing this form happening. I thank Congressman Frelinghuysen for his past support on this issue, and urge him to continue to support economic pressure through Iranian Devestment in the Iran Sanctions Enabling Act, especially focusing on their exports on oil and imports on gasoline. It makes sense that increasing pressure during this economic environment will be extremely effective in forcing Iran to focus on other areas and cease their enrichment of Uranium. On the issue of Nuclear Proliferation, which increase the changes of nuclear terrorist, I would thank the Congressman for his past support, but would urge him to refrain from supporting new nuclear weapons, like Reliable Replacement Warheads in the future. I would ask that in the allocation of the new budget, Congressman Frelinghuysen will honor the international Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and not create new nuclear weapons.

Even though we have lost much of our international standing, other countries still look to us, especially in terms of nuclear non-proliferation. By supporting these actions, congressman Frelinghuysen can continue to protect our country, Israel, and the International Community. As one personally touched by the crippling hand of terrorism, I can appreciate the necessity of these actions.

Eric Frank and Jeremy Bergman - Renewable Electricity Standard Eric: Hello. My name is Eric Frank, Jeremy: and I am Jeremy Bergman. Eric: We are from Millburn, New Jersey and we are speaking to you this morning on behalf of the “Religious Action Center”. We would like to thank you for your continuous support of the “Renewable Electricity Standard”. We hope to expand your knowledge of the issues taking place in the world today revolving around climate change and the energy choices needed to tame it. Eric: Various gases in the atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide, methane and water vapor, trap heat near the earthʼs surface. Human activities are enhancing this effect with huge consequences for the global climate. The burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and other agricultural and industrial practices unleash billions of tons of carbon dioxide into the environment each year. Studies show that atmospheric levels of CO2 have increased by 30% in the past (160,000) one-hundred sixty thousand years. Animals over these past years have been threatened with endangerment and could create a gap in the food chain. Scientists have observed the changes caused by these harmful sources of energy and they say we could reach a point of no return. The climate will be irreversible if we donʼt act now to prevent it. A great threat is the chance of increased droughts, floods, and severe natural disasters. These are already occurring as a result of the changing climate.

Jeremy: So, as you can see, it is time for change. We have seen it in the previous election and, now we see it in our environment. Since the end of the eighteenth century, when our nation was just building on its power, the worldʼs power was fueled by coal. Once the only source of energy and the most cost effective source, coal has seen its days as the worldʼs main power provider come to an end. As our people have become more aware of how our energy systems work, we have realized how harmful coal can be to our environment. The amount of carbon dioxide emissions by coal-burning plants and gas-guzzling automobiles is high enough today to contribute to our unsafe atmosphere significantly by trapping the sunʼs heat within the atmosphereʼs limits. The problem is not going away even though this “inconvenient truth” has been drilled into our heads over the past five years. So we must look to the alternative. Energy sources like wind, solar, and bio-fuel are clean renewable sources that scientists have proven will be just as cost-efficient in the future as coal has been. The kinetic energy of the wind in Texas, North Dakota, and Kansas combined has been found to have enough potential energy to satisfy all of the countryʼs electricity needs. Solar energy has the potential to supply more energy per day than the world currently uses per day. Bio-fuels, such as sugar-based ethanol, are, contrary to popular belief, incredibly cost and energy efficient. Coal is reliable. Sure. But the benefits of these alternative fuels significantly outweigh the environmental risk that coal energy proposes. Eric: now you may be wondering how this issue affects us as a country and how it affects other countries. Increasing temperatures could significantly raise sea levels around the globe causing floods. In Africa, malaria and other infectious diseases could spread to areas that have never experienced them before due to increased flying ranges for mosquitoes. Droughts and floods could strike farmlands. This could lead to a shortage of crops and could worsen the economic crisis faced by the U.S. today. While the U.S. will be able to counteract the negative effects of climate change than other nations, it will not be immune from these effects. Places like southern Florida, coastal Massachusetts and California, the gulf coast, and Manhattan Island are likely to experience severe flooding as a result of rising sea levels. Though we home to only 5% of the worldʼs population, the United States uses ¼ of the worldʼs oil and coal and also produces ¼ of the worldʼs carbon dioxide emissions. U.S. cars alone emit more CO2 than many large nations. We cause a good percentage of the problem, so we play a large role in cleaning up the mess. The prime way to do this is by running our daily lives using alternative energy. Jeremy: As a Reform Jew representing the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, I do have a strong religious reason for my promotion of this progressive energy action. In our studies with Jewish scripture, we look to apply Godʼs teachings into todayʼs society and its problems. The easiest place to look on this issue is Genesis 2:15, where God urges Adam and Eve respect the Earth, “to till and to tend” to it. We take this message as an obligation to do whatever we can to help the environment and preserve Godʼs creations, for all of his creations are holy and beautiful. When God says this, he is talking about the Garden of Eden; so we must interpret it today as we must respect the earth like Adam and Eve should have respected the Garden of Eden. This is the

concept of bal taschit, which translates to “Do Not Destroy.” The CO2 emissions of coal burning plants obviously are destroying our Earth and indirectly harming its people, so, applying bal taschit to this situation is simple. In respect to the United Statesʼ obligation to the countries that have been harmed, Reform Jews believe that we must take on the responsibility to aid those Developing countries, who had nothing to do with the environmental problem with the CO2 emissions. “Justice, justice shall you pursue.” The Talmud explains that as Jews, my partner and I must support aiding those who are the victims of our mistakes. To me, the most effective description of a Jewʼs response to this situation lies in Kohelet Rabbah 7:13. Written is “Take care, lest you spoil and destroy my world, because if you do, there is no one after you to make it right again.” This statement pushes me to take this action, for it is morally wrong to leave the results of our mistakes to later generations to try to fix. We have to take responsibility for our actions and we cannot maneuver our way around it. Eric: A very close relative of mine was in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina. While leaving the city, she was caught up in traffic and was being affected by the high pressured winds of the storm. She got out of the car and watched as the vehicle was almost blown off a bridge and as people washed away into the sea. She made it out of the area in time but her house was wrecked. I was devastated while listening to her story and was concerned with global warming ever since. The climate change could cause more natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina. I donʼt want anyone to go through what the Katrina victims went through. Jeremy: Our points have been made; our argument has been stated. It is now time to take action. We acknowledge your continued support of the cap-and-trade system demonstrated by your signing of the “Climate Principles Letter”, stating your interest in the decline of carbon emissions. But now, on the issue of cap-and-trade legislation, we would like you, Congressman, to take it a step further and re-establish this issue in the 111th Congress. Solutions to this problem are very necessary. We were very excited to learn that you co-sponsored the Udall-Platts Renewable Electricity Standard in the 110th Congress and we ask you to support the American Renewable Energy Act (HR 890). In our eyes, we feel this is the most important legislation concerning this topic for its sets a goal for us to achieve. So thank you. However, just to enforce the significance of this conflict: in 15 years, the world may either have 80 million “climate refugees looking for homes because of failures to control the climate or a 150% increase in our use of renewable energy based on only a few decisions in this Congress. Eric: In conclusion, I would like to compare this situation to a teenagerʼs room. Over time, the teenager subconsciously throws his clothes and possessions on the floor creating a mess. The pile of junk builds and builds without the teenager caring to clean it up. Eventually that room will be filled to the ceiling with junk because of the teenagerʼs lack of action. Without action, we will be that teenager. And when we choose to get out of that room, we wonʼt be able to find the door. Thank you very much for having us today and allowing us to fulfill our rights of free speech in our democratic government.

Sarah Langsam- Freedom of Choice Act



One repetitive piece of advice given to me as a child by my parents was not to try and change the things that I couldnʼt control. Donʼt be upset about it raining on your bat mitzvah, because you cannot control the weather. Rather, focus on reading torah because your success is controlled by you. Do not be dismayed by people who tease and bully because you cannot control otherʼs actions. Instead, work at what you can control which is yourself, and rise up to be the better person. We as a nation are privileged to have the knowledge and technology that allows us the opportunity to terminate a pregnancy if we wish to. To take away that privileged would be a sin.

Many anti-abortion activists argue that to perform an abortion is to destroy a life. While I disagree with this standpoint, I respect it and would never try and force anyone to go against his or her religious beliefs. In a country based on the values of freedom, freedoms of speech and thought, to not respect and allow those with opinions contrary to the majority, follow their beliefs would be against what we stand for. The Jewish Reform Movement believes that while a fetus is treasured as a soul, the life of an already living woman takes precedence over that of a life that has not yet begun. The famous physician and Rabbi Maimonides said quote, “If a womenʼs labor becomes life threatening, the one to be born is dismembered in her abdomen, for her life comes before the life of the fetus,” end quote. Jewish scripture tells us in the book of Exodus that if a woman is pushed and a miscarriage occurs as a result, the one who committed the crime is fined. However, if the woman herself is injured or killed, the criminal is to be injured or killed as well. It states quote, “The penalty should be life for life,” end quote, implying that a fetus is not yet considered a life. The United States constitution states that quote, “all men are created equal,” end quote. While this was not always reality, when women gained the right to vote, our nation took a large step forwards towards sexual equality. To deny a woman the right to receive an abortion would be taking a large step in the opposite direction. In 1993, Supreme Court Justice, Ruth Bader Ginsberg, said quote, “it is essential to a womanʼs equality with man that she be the decision-maker, that her choice be controlling. If you impose restraints, you are disadvantaging her because of her sex. The state controlling a women would mean denying her full autonomy and full equality,” end quote. Actress Bonnie Franklin brings to the table that if in fact a womenʼs choice to abortion is denied, the all the freedoms that we know today, those of civil rights, separation between church

and state, etc. are also in danger. And it is not only the Reform Jewish movement who supports the right of women to make their own choices. Last August at the Democratic National Convention, President Barack Obama supported free choice when he discussed the need to reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies in the nation. The decision made at Roe vs. Wade in 1973, which protects a womanʼs right to terminate a pregnancy if she wishes to do so, is at stake today in 2009. I realize that the Freedom of Choice Act, previously introduced by Senator Barbra Boxer of California, and house representative, Jerold Nadler of New York which reaffirms that quote, “it is the policy of the United States that every woman has the fundamental right to choose to bear a child, to terminate a pregnancy prior to fetal viability, or to terminate a pregnancy after fetal viability when necessary to protect the life or health of the womenʼ” end quote, and that quote, “a government may not deny or interfere with a womanʼs right to choose,” end quote, has not yet been reintroduced to the 111th Congress, but I urge you, when it is reintroduced, to please support it and help to co-sponsor it. Finally, it is difficult for those of us who have never been in the situation where we were forced to choose whether to bring a child into this world under difficult circumstances, to understand what it is like. I would like to leave you with a story that happened to a good friend of mine, that of course can not make you fully understand, but possibly help to fill the gap somewhat. At the age of 17, my friend was living in a dysfunctional family. She was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and had recently been released from the Intensive Care Unit in the Hospital near our home after suffering three seizures as a result of her taking acid. This 17 year old girl who could barley take care of herself, a girl who just narrowly escaped death, got pregnant. Imagine the life that her unborn child would have had to live if she was forced to bring it into this world.