Reform Jewish Movement Conference 3/14

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Irshad Manji, Author of 'The Trouble With Islam Today,' Heated Church-State Debate at Reform Jewish Movement's Major Public Policy Conference Today in Washington

3/14/2005 9:12:00 AM

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To: Assignment Desk, Daybook Editor

Contact: Rob Levy, 202-387-2800, or Alexis Rice (onsite), 202-841-2360 (cell), both of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism

News Advisory:

-- Speakers to discuss and debate the need for a revitalization of the religious left.

Irshad Manji, best-selling author of The Trouble with Islam Today, will address the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism's (RAC) 2005 Consultation on Conscience conference. An activist and scholar, Manji works to revive Islam's lost tradition of critical thinking and support the liberal reformation of Islam. Manji's presentation, "The Struggle for Freedom of Conscience in Islam Today: A Muslim Reformer's Report from the Field" will take place at 11:15 a.m. in the Cannon Caucus Room of the Cannon House Office Building, Washington, D.C.

The day will conclude with a much-touted debate on church-state affairs between two leading scholars in the field. Jay Sekulow, chief counsel at the American Center on Law and Justice, and Rabbi David Saperstein, director and counsel for the RAC, will face off at 4:15 p.m., also in the Cannon Caucus Room. Additional Monday speakers include Noam Neusner, White House Jewish Liaison; Bob Greenstein, founder of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities; Israeli Ambassador Daniel Ayalon; and David Brock, president and CEO of Media Matters for America.

The Consultation on Conscience, held this year from Sunday, March 13 to Tuesday, March 15, occurs every two years, shortly after the Congress takes office. It offers intensive, high-level briefings on current issues and critical legislation that are aimed at educating the participants about issues of import to the Reform Jewish community and motivating them to become involved. To view a detailed and up-to-date schedule, visit: http://www.rac.org/cc05.

WHAT: Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, 2005 Consultation on Conscience

WHEN: Monday, March 14, 2005, 9:45 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.

WHERE: Cannon Caucus Room, Cannon House Office Building, Washington, D.C.

WHO:

-- 9:45 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.: Noam Nuesner, White House Jewish Liaison -- The Administration's Agenda

-- 11:15am to 12 p.m.: Irshad Manji, best-selling author of The Trouble with Islam Today -- The Struggle for Freedom of Conscience in Islam Today: A Muslim Reformer's Report from the Field

-- 1:45 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.: Bob Greenstein, founder and executive director of the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities -- The Budget: Fiscal Challenges, Moral Imperatives

-- 2:30 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.: Israeli Ambassador Daniel Ayalon -- A New Era?: Israel's Quest for Peace

-- 3:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.: David Brock, Media Matters for America -- Combating Conservative Misinformation

-- 4:15 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.: Church and State: The Great Debate; Jay Sekulow, chief counsel at the American Center for Law and Justice; Rabbi David Saperstein, director and counsel for the RAC

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The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism is the Washington office of the Union for Reform Judaism, whose more than 900 congregations across North America encompass 1.5 million Reform Jews, and the Central Conference of American Rabbis, whose membership includes more than 1,800 Reform rabbis.

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