Chaverim,

It is with deep sadness that I, along with our president, Patti Bridwell, am informing the congregation of a change in our plans for Yom Kippur services. Sometimes, there are forces that emerge which are beyond the control of even the best intentioned people. Over the past 24 hours, the traditional Catholic press on the internet and on Catholic cable television has made a substantial issue of the fact that I am serving on the local Board of Planned Parenthood and as the chair of its Clergy Advisory Group. As you may know, Planned Parenthood is a provider of many different types of health services, primarily to women, and among those services are safe, legal abortions. My activities with Planned Parenthood are long standing and were well known in the community. In fact, it was the subject of a front page article in the Statesman last August and Father Larry and I discussed it at that time.

This year, however, with the emergence of these articles in the Catholic press, St. Louis Catholic Church and the Catholic Diocese of Austin have received protests from literally throughout the world about my leading services in a Catholic church. As the protests have mounted today, Father Larry and I discussed the continued viability of our presence at St. Louis from the standpoint of both congregations. It was agreed that it was in the best interests of both communities that we not hold services at St. Louis this Yom Kippur.

Instead, services will be held in the Jewish Community Center Gym on the Dell Jewish Community Campus. The JCAA leadership and staff have been swift and committed to welcoming us back on campus. Parking will be on the lower field but carpooling is strongly encouraged. It is more critical than ever, however, that everyone has a ticket and has them easily available for examination by our ushers; even the most familiar of us. Services will be held as scheduled.

While this clearly highlights theological issues between the Church and those of us who hold pro-choice views in accordance with our tradition, it is in no way an issue between the Jewish and Catholic communities. We have had, and will continue to have, a close and supportive relationship with St. Louis Catholic Church and our friend, Father Larry Covington.

May we all be sealed for a healthy and joyous 5771!

Rabbi Alan Freedman

Patti Bridwell, President