Last Friday, Jewish Community Action and other members of the Minnesota Gun Violence Prevention Coalition hosted a press conference outside of the State House chambers, where we called on our state's leaders to help keep guns out of the wrong hands and save lives in our communities. Rabbi Amy Eilberg, a longtime JCA member and activist, delivered this powerful testimony.
This past Sunday, JCA volunteers made hundreds of calls into key legislative districts, and “patched through” nearly 100 concerned citizens who, once given the opportunity, wanted to leave messages with their state representatives about gun violence prevention. This Thursday, we'll make even more calls, this time in memory of Reuven Rahamim (z"l).
To continually make analogous the tactics used to spread a message of hate and drive the near destruction of a people to a campaign which at its core is about love, commitment, and family, is ridiculous. To do it during Passover, a holiday that commemorates freedom from oppression, is shameful.
At a traditional Seder, the song "Dayenu" is a vehicle for our blessings and thanks. But when we live in a world where our neighbors and allies are still fighting for their very basic rights, we cannot stop there.
Last week, the Organizing Apprenticeship Project released its Racial Equity Bill Watch. Check it out to see what we're working on, and how OAP will "grade" our elected officials in 2013.
JCA staffer Ari Kiener reflects on Passover spring cleanings, and wonders if we can use the annual process as an opportunity to improve our communities, too.
Rabbi Emma Kippley-Ogman, Assistant Rabbi at Beth Jacob, delivered a rousing speech at today's press conference on the proposed Homeowners' Bill of Rights, and explained that foreclosures affect all of us.
Rabbi Michael Latz, Senior Rabbi at Shir Tikvah, spoke beautifully at Wednesday's Freedom to Marry press conference, and asked that his family have the same protections, responsibilities, and opportunities as any other.
JCA member Tasya Kelen testified at last week's hearing on gun violence prevention in the Minnesota State Senate, and explained why she, as a mother and person of faith, believes we need immediate action to prevent future violence.
