In a recent and stunning example of Christian Nationalist discrimination, Gabe Rutan-Ram and his wife, Elizabeth Rutan-Ram, were denied the opportunity to foster a child — simply because they are Jewish. Yes, you read that correctly! The agency denying them access to state-funded training was backed by a Tennessee law that allows taxpayer-funded foster agencies to discriminate on religious grounds. Gabe is now the lead plaintiff in a major lawsuit brought by Americans United for Separation of Church and State (AU), challenging this unconstitutional, state-sanctioned religious discrimination.

On August 12, Gabe will be joined by Rebecca Markert, AU’s Vice President and Legal Director, for a powerful conversation about the legal and moral stakes of his case, the broader wave of legislation in Tennessee, and what it all reveals about the rise of Christian Nationalism in statehouses across the country. Register today to join us on August 12 at 7:30 pm ET for this important webinar!

Gabe’s story — and the policies behind it — are part of a national strategy, exemplified by Project 2025, to dismantle the separation of church and state, elevate one religion above all others, and roll back civil rights. Tennessee has become a testing ground for policies that enshrine one religion into law — from education to healthcare to family services. The consequences of these laws are already reverberating far beyond its borders. In fact, on June 18, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for transgender minors — a decision that underscores the growing influence of religious nationalism on American law and policy.

Learn why this fight matters for Jews, for people of all faiths and secular beliefs, and for anyone who believes in a pluralistic, democratic America. Register now.

Thank you to our cosponsors of this important event: The Workers Circle; The Rabbi Joseph H. Gumbiner Community Action Project of the Tucson Jewish Museum & Holocaust Center; The Society for Humanistic Judaism; Temple Israel of Greater Orlando; Or Adam Congregation, Phoenix;  Congregation Beth Adam, South Florida;  Folkshul, Philadelphia; The Secular Humanistic Jewish Circle, Tucson; and the Arizona Faith Network.