CRC, Shaare Emeth Rally for Health Care
Members march in front of Senator Kit Bond's office singing Hanukkah songs in support of health care reform.  
 
On Tuesday, December 15, six members of Central Reform Congregation and Congregation Shaare Emeth were up bright and early to rally for health care reform.  Despite a windchill of only 11 degrees, members joined other health reform supporters in front of the Clayton office of Senator Kit Bond to express support for federal health reform and rally the public in support of health reform.  
 
Across town, another group of health care supporters rallied in front of Senator Claire McCaskill’s office on Delmar.   The early morning rallies were coordinated by Missouri Health Care for All, a statewide, non-partisan, grassroots movement for health care for all Missourians.
 
In honor of Chanukah, several group members held signs saying “All I Want for Chanukah is Health Reform,” and the group sang a health care revision of “The Dreidel Song” written by CRC member Leslie Caplan.
 
After rallying traffic with “Honk for Health Care” and other signs, supporters visited the offices of Senators Bond and McCaskill to register support for health care reform.  The group, which included Rabbi Susan Talve of CRC, was initially barred by Clayton police from visiting Senator Bond’s office but was eventually allowed entry.  Group members are investigating whether the police officer’s refusal was legal and making plans to ensure easier future access for constituents wishing to lobby the Senator’s office.
 
CRC and Shaare Emeth are two of nearly 120 endorsing organizations statewide that comprise the growing movement; many other local Jewish organizations have also joined.  More information on Missouri Health Care for All is available at www.mohealthcareforall.org. For example, health care reform is a cornerstone of the Jewish Community Relations Council's campaign against poverty, said Steve Skrainka, JCRC vice president and chair of the JCRC's Health Care Advisory Committee. He added that "JCRC sees health care reform as a community priority."

Future rallies are tentatively scheduled for the remaining Tuesdays in December, pending the progress of health reform legislation in Congress.  Health care supporters are encouraged to contact Missouri Health Care for All or CRC for updated information.
 
Members of the St. Louis Jewish Community who participated in Tuesday morning’s rally are Rabbi Susan Talve, Steve Radinsky, Steve Skrainka, Leslie Caplan, Marilyn Ratkin, and Jen Bersdale.  Radinsky is a member of Congregation Shaare Emeth; the others are members of Central Reform Congregation.