JCRC responds to article

Although we are loathe to continue this conversation, we are highly disappointed that the Jewish Light chose to report on the Jewish Community Relations Council’s Letter to the Editor in the Post-Dispatch without printing the entire content of the letter itself (view the letter at http://bit.ly/JCRC-PD). Readers can look at the text of the letter and draw their own conclusions, but absent that, they are forced to rely on the characterization of our statements as interpreted by the Light, to which we take exception.

Moreover, this article runs counter to the mission of the JCRC and to our goals in drafting our original letter—to emphasize that our community welcomes a diversity of voices and benefits from respectful civil discourse and debate. By highlighting this as “news,” the Light has reinforced the fear among many that expressing opinions that are deemed divergent from the mainstream draws undue attention.

We want to emphasize our words from our original letter: “We believe in the right of every individual within our community to express viewpoints without fear of intimidation. It is precisely through the open exchange of ideas and respectful discourse that we are able to enhance our knowledge, hone our values and attain deeper levels of understanding.”

John Kalishman, Chair, JCRC

Joe Pereles, Vice Chair, JCRC

Maharat Rori Picker Neiss, Executive Director, JCRC

Support for climate change bill urgently needed 

With only until 2030 to avoid the worst effects of climate change, we need not only a bold and effective solution, but one with bipartisan support. This is why I am so excited about a bipartisan bill currently in the House— the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act (H.R. 763). 

This bill puts a fee on fossil fuels, but then allocates that money equally to all Americans each month. This would drive down carbon pollution, unleash American innovation, and put money directly in the pockets of Americans. Even those who question climate change can recognize how this would benefit our families!

The problem is too urgent to get caught up in partisan politics, especially when the majority of Americans support Congress taking action on climate change (including over half of Republicans). I urge Representatives Ann Wagner, Lacy Clay and Blaine Luetkemeyer to cosponsor the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act immediately. 

Yara Levin, Town and Country

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