Rabbi Kerry M. Olitzky is a Reform rabbi, executive director of the Jewish Outreach Institute in New York City and co-author of Twelve Jewish Steps to Recovery (Jewish Lights, 1991) and author to a number of books and articles on a variety of topics.

Jennifer Johnson is a senior associate specializing in Mexico and the U.S./Mexico border with the Latin America Working Group (LAWG), based in Washington, D.C., a nonprofit coalition including many religious groups that encourages the U.S. to develop policies toward Latin America that promote human rights, justice and peace.

Aaron Gershowitz is director of refugee and immigrant services at the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, or HIAS. Gershowitz is responsible for the overall direction and management of HIAS’ domestic refugee resettlement and immigration services programs.

Ira Mehlman is media director for the Federation for American Immigration Reform. FAIR advocates for changes in immigration law that would reduce the number of immigrants allowed to enter the United States. Mehlman contends that Jews could face increased anti-Semitism if more immigrants are allowed into the U.S. Contact Mehlman through FAIR press secretary Cassie Williams.

Steven Leder is a Reform rabbi at the Wilshire Boulevard Temple in Los Angeles. He is the author of More Money Than God: Living a Rich Life Without Losing Your Soul (Bonus Books, 2004). Contact via Nan Brostoff.

The Jewish Outreach Institute is an independent, national organization that works to bring unaffiliated and intermarried families closer to the Jewish community.

The National Center to Encourage Judaism encourages retention in Judaism and conversion.  

Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald is founder of the National Jewish Outreach Program, which tries to keep Jews engaged in Jewish life, particularly when the cause was assimilation or lack of Jewish knowledge. It sponsors the annual Shabbat Across America program.

Jonathan Brumberg-Kraus is a professor of religion at Wheaton College in Norton, Mass. He can discuss Jewish approaches to the treatment and rights of animals.