Reform rabbis gather in Houston

The religious leaders of America's Reform Judaism were called to champion a progressive voice of faith in a country where moral values often have seemed aligned with conservative politics. "At this moment, when the religious right claims a monopoly on religious values and morality in America, American Jewry has a special role in proudly proclaiming a sharply contrasting vision," Rabbi David Saperstein told about 400 members of the Central Conference of American Rabbis gathered in Houston, Texas, this week. Saperstein's address came on the third day of the professional gathering of Reform Judaism's rabbis. The goal of the annual convention is to provide professional development and encouragement, organizers said.