Many Jewish leaders from the Bay Area were among the more than 1,400 Christian, Jewish and Muslim clergy who signed a letter to President Barack Obama that underscored the importance of establishing peace in Darfur and Sudan.

Among the local Jewish clergy that signed the letter were Rabbi Doug Kahn of the S.F.-based Jewish Community Relations Council, Rabbi David Booth of Palo Alto Congregation Kol Emeth, Rabbi Ryan Bauer and Cantor Roslyn Barak of San Francisco Congregation Emanu-El, Rabbi Michael Lezak of San Rafael Congregation Rodef Sholom, Rabbi Menachem Creditor of Berkeley Congregation Netivot Shalom and Rabbi Ted Feldman of the B’nai Israel Jewish Center in Petaluma. Other local Jewish clergy also signed the letter.

The letter emphasized the decades of war, famine and marginalization inflicted upon the Sudanese people and urged the Obama administration to continue efforts to enforce a 2005 peace agreement between North and South Darfur, and work with the international community to create sustainable peace in Darfur.

The Save Darfur Coalition — an alliance of more than 180 faith-based, advocacy and human rights organizations — raises awareness about the ongoing genocide in Darfur. For more information, visit www.savedarfur.org.