Mar 24, 2006 -- On Monday, March 13th, Taanit Esther, the leadership of the Rabbinical Council of America took an active role in an unprecedented Joint Rabbinic Rally outside the United Nations in New York City, protesting the genocidal policies and actions of the government of Sudan against its own citizens of Darfur. In coming together with rabbis and spiritual leaders from across the Jewish spectrum, the RCA demonstrated its commitment, both in word and in deed, to protesting the unfolding tragedy in which, it is estimated, as many as 200,000 Darfurians have been killed, and many others persecuted in horrific ways.

As explained by Rabbi Dale Polakoff, President of the RCA, as Jews we dare not stand by in silence in the face of such persecution, no matter how far away it occurs, how much unrelated to our day to day concerns.

The rally was notable for overcoming denominational and other differences in the religious community, in support of this humanitarian emergency.

The text of Rabbi Polakoff's comments addressing the rally, is below.