Jews prominent on progressive map

Jewish groups account for close to nine percent of an online directory of progressive faith groups. Faith in Public Life, a coalition of faith groups promoting liberal, progressive values, launched an interactive map of progressive religious groups in the United States Thursday. Of 3,000 groups on the map, nine percent, or 263 groups, are Jewish – several times the two percent Jewish representation in the population. By comparison, 499 groups are mainline Protestant, 554 are Roman Catholic and 100 are evangelical. “Called by our ancient tradition’s demand to ‘do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God’, synagogue leaders are leading their congregations into effective coalitions fighting for issues that reflect our deep faith,” said Rabbi Jonah Pesner, director of Just Congregations, the Reform movement’s social activism wing.