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April 23, 2021
This Shabbat, in Achrei Mot-Kedoshim, we will read about the ethical and ritual rules that should guide our lives to uphold honesty, respect, and fairness. These values are pillars of our faith and undergird our institution’s mission.
Our commitment is to ensure the continued well-being, dignity, and respect of every individual in our community, as we continue to implement the recommendations of the Presidential Task Force on Safe and Respectful Environments. Consistent with this commitment, our Board’s Executive Committee today formally approved the engagement of an independent organization to conduct a thorough, impartial review of accounts of inequitable experiences at HUC. This review will be undertaken with thoughtfulness and urgency. As soon as the engagement is finalized, we will announce more specific details and information about the process in the weeks ahead.
We are committed to upholding the moral principles on which we stand. As context for our commitment, and consistent with our Torah portion this week, I share with you my American Values, Religious Voices letter, in which I describe how the Jewish tradition supports the development of moral habits and, more generally, the Rule of Law.
These enduring moral values and ethical commitments strengthen our ability to realize a vibrant and bright future.
Shabbat shalom,
Andrew Rehfeld, Ph.D.
President
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