WASHINGTON, DC (Press Release) – President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individual to a key Administration post:
· Rabbi David Nathan Saperstein – Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom, Department of State
President Obama said, “I am grateful that Rabbi Saperstein has chosen to dedicate his talent to serving the American people at this important time for our country. I look forward to working with him in the months and years ahead.”
Rabbi David Nathan Saperstein is Director and Counsel of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, where he has served since 1974. He is also an Adjunct Professor of Law at Georgetown University Law Center, where he teaches First Amendment Church-State Law and Jewish Law. Rabbi Saperstein serves on a number of boards, including The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and the National Religious Partnership for the Environment. He was a Member of the President’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships from 2010 to 2011. Rabbi Saperstein was a member of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom from 1999 to 2001, serving as its first Chair from 1999 to 2000. Rabbi Saperstein received a B.A. from Cornell University, an M.H.L. from Hebrew Union College, and a J.D. from American University.
One of the first reactions came from Bend the Arc, the Jewish partnership for justice. Stosh Cotler, the organization’s CEO, said: “For many years, Rabbi David Saperstein has guided America’s Jewish social justice movement, both as the Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism and as a member of Bend the Arc’s Board of Directors. Those of us who have had the privilege of working with David know him as an indefatigable advocate for justice, steadily driven by his Jewish convictions and an overwhelming sense of love.
“We are so proud of David for his nomination to be the Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom, where his decades of wisdom and his deep well of compassion will help to promote justice and respect for human dignity on a global scale. From all of us at Bend the Arc, a heartfelt thanks and mazel tov to you, Rabbi Saperstein. This recognition is well deserved.”
Commenting later in the day was the Jewish Council for Public Affairs. Its news release said: “For decades, David has been not just a treasured colleague – he is family. And so this news is not just a milestone for our community and our country, it is a cause for joy and celebration. We are truly sheping naches,” said JCPA President Rabbi Steve Gutow.
“Every day, the news is filled with troubling stories of religious persecution – anti-Jewish riots in Paris, forced conversion or exile of Christians in Iraq, and anti-Muslim violence in Burma. There could be no better person to lead our nation’s efforts to make this world a safer place for people of faith, particularly religious minorities. David’s entire career has been devoted to speaking up for the least among us. This next chapter will direct his stunning talents to the global stage – in every sense of the phrase ‘repairing the world,’” continued Gutow.
“We have deeply appreciated his close relationship with the JCPA, his presence at countless JCPA Plenums, his passionate speeches on too many issues to name, and the brilliant way in which he has helped to shape communal policies in our resolutions session, frequently bringing us to consensus stances on issues that seemed to divide us,” said JCPA Chair Susan W. Turnbull.
For David’s exemplary life according to the social justice imperatives of Judaism, Jewish history, and the protection of the Bill of Rights, he was awarded the Albert D. Chernin Award, the JCPA’s highest award, in 2003.
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Preceding provided by the White House press office, Bend the Arc, and the Jewish Council for Public Affairs