Reform rabbi becomes first non-Christian U.S. ambassador for religious freedom

After over 30 years leading the Reform Movement’s political and legislative outreach arm, David Saperstein will head the Office of International Religious Freedom in the United States Department of State.

By Haaretz | Dec. 13, 2014 | 11:44 AM

The United States Senate confirmed Friday the appointment of Rabbi David Saperstein as first non-Christian ambassador at large for international religious freedom, 61 to 35.

President Barack Obama announced the appointment in late July. “I am grateful that Rabbi Saperstein has chosen to dedicate his talent to serving the American people at this important time for our country. I look forward to working with him in the months and years ahead,” Obama said upon announcing the appointment.

Saperstein has been the director and chief legal counsel of the Union for Reform Judaism's Religious Action Center, the political and legislative outreach arm of Reform Judaism in America, for over 30 years.

“As he prepares to leave the Religious Action Center he has done so much to build, we know that the work of David’s life will not change,” Rabbi Rick Jacobs, President of the Union for Reform Judaism said in a statement. “He will continue to agitate for justice. He will continue to be a rodef shalom (a pursuer of peace). He will continue to defend the widow and the orphan and the stranger. David simply does not know another way.”

http://www.jta.org/2014/12/14/news-opinion/politics/senate-approves-saperstein-for-religious-freedom-post