44 | SEPTEMBER 22 • 2022 

person who helps a person interpret 
the lessons of the Torah … It is a rabbi’s 
obligation to share his or her insights 
even on issues that may seem political 
— that is their obligation — to help 
guide people in everyday living.” 
Whatever the rabbi teaches, 
though, ultimately, Wolf asserts, each 
individual has to reach his or her own 
conclusions. “Don’t agree with the 
rabbi? Doesn’t make him or her wrong 
and you right or vice versa.” 
Rabbi Jeff Falick of the Congregation 
for Humanistic Judaism 
says, “I’m probably not the 
core demographic you’re 
seeking here, but I talk 
about ‘politics,’ i.e., stuff 
that’s important to our 
survival as a nation, all 
the time … Just last week, 
I gave an extra-long talk in person 
and streamed to over 200 folks about 
‘Christian Nationalism Ascendant.’ 
“As I said,” he continues, “I’m 

probably not the kind of rabbi you 
would compare against, but our attitude 
may still be informative. If it affects us 
as Jews and humanists, then it merits 
discussion.”
Rabbi Aryeh Klapper, 
dean of Modern Torah 
Leadership (and husband 
of Deborah Klapper), 
summarizes his thoughts 
on the topic: “Rabbis 
cannot, and congregants 
should not, see political 
issues as off limits. 
“Rabbis are wise to make such 
pronouncements sparingly, and with 
humility — they should make clear 
that even their wisest, most Torah-
grounded judgments do not exclusively 
or unquestionably represent God’s 
true will. But they are entitled, and 
sometimes obligated, to vigorously seek 
to persuade their congregants to act in 
accordance with their best judgment as 
to God’s true will.” 

Rabbi 
Aryeh 
Klapper

Rabbi Jeff 
Falick

What Does 
the Law Say?

Can talking politics get the 
synagogue into trouble with the 
Internal Revenue Service? The 
synagogue, as a tax-exempt religious 
entity, is restricted from political 
activity. Crossing the boundary into 
political advocacy could theoretically 
endanger the synagogue’s tax-
exempt status. 
But an expert in the 
laws covering freedom 
of speech and freedom 
of religion, Robert 
Sedler, professor 
emeritus at Wayne 
State University Law 
School, says, “Political 
advocacy is permitted under the 
First Amendment. For that reason, 
the restriction on political activity by 
tax-exempt organizations is narrowly 
construed. It is limited to partisan 
political activity. All that is prohibited 
is endorsing a candidate by name.”

Robert 
Sedler

ROSH HASHANAH

MEET THE 
RPM PROVIDERS

Scan with phone camera

RPM_JN_FullPage 09142022.indd 4

Supported through the generosity of The Jewish Fund and the D. Dan and Betty Kahn Family Foundation.

 
 
 
Need
Housing 
Support? 

☐ Call jhelp at 1-833-445-4357

☐ Visit jhelp.org

☐ Chat online with a staff 
member or schedule a 
 
call at jhelp.org

☐ Do all of the above
X

Q

We Have Answers.

continued from page 42

