NCJW Weekly Advocacy Wrap-Up:
Friday, April 1, 2022
In this issue...

NCJW’s Welcome Circle Has Been Matched

Upcoming Events
– OCJCR Open House – Wednesday, April 6
– NCJW-CA 2022 Lobby Day – April 25

NCJW Action Alert
– Supreme Court Justice
– Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism
– Support the People of Ukraine
Our Afghan Refugee Welcome Circle
has been matched!
Our Welcome Circle Team is very excited to announce that they have been matched with a group of three single women. All three of them speak English and all three have BAs in Agriculture!  We are not certain exactly when they will arrive, but we are ready to meet them.

As you can imagine, there is still a lot to organize, from preparing to pick them up at the airport and welcome them, to the many steps in the first couple of weeks to help them get settled in their new home and community. Housing is our main priority!

If you’d like to make a donation to support our efforts, you can go to AfghanRefugeeResettlement/donate and select Immigration Services Fund. 
If you have questions or in-kind donations or can assist in another way, please
contact us through the Welcome Circle email: welcomecircle@ncjwlongbeach.org.
UPCOMING EVENTS
OCJCR Open House and Lobby Day Kick-off
Hear from OCJCR leadership andlearn about the myriad ways to become engaged with volunteering to help refugees and asylum seekers. You will have the opportunity to listen to short presentations about each area of OCJCR's work, meet with committee chairs, ask questions, and let us know how YOU would like to be involved. 

OCJCR OPEN HOUSE 
Wednesday, April 6, 7PM 
JOIN US!
Kick-off to NCJW - California's Virtual Lobby Week
Monday, April 25, 9 am to noon


NCJW-CA Lobby Day 2022
Legislative Priorities are:

Reproductive Freedom: AB 1666 prevents lawsuits in California courts enforcing out-of-state laws that criminalize California medical personnel or anyone else who aids an abortion of a woman from another state. 

Affordable Childcare: AB 92 will create an equitable sliding scale for family fees and will temporarily waive family fees for all families through 2023 to reduce the hardships of the pandemic. 

Housing and Homelessness: AB 1816 creates a reentry housing and workforce development program to allow people with recent histories of incarceration to exit homelessness and remain stably housed. 
The Kick-off will be held virtually from 9 am to noon on Monday, April 25th.  Our Section is currently scheduling virtual lobby meetings with our local legislators and will be scheduling briefing sessions regarding the bills and the ins and outs of lobbying. Email advocacy@ncjwlongbeach.org if you’d like to be part of our local lobby efforts.

GETTING INVOLVED
Working Groups and Rapid Response Team
Voting & Elections
Let us know if you’d like:
(a)  To help plan and lead Section voting and election efforts through the November 2022 election, 
(b)  To help with voter registration and/or Vote Forward, or 
(c)  More information on how best to participate. 

We need you and your ideas! Contact the chairperson, Chana Ham-Rosebrock, via advocacy@ncjwlongbeach.org or leave a message for her at (657) 235-2511. Group
Reproductive Rights & Access
If you’d like to help us plan educational programs, advocate for legislation, and/or mobilize organized actions in support of reproductive rights, health, and justice for all, please email advocacy@ncjwlongbeach.org. 
It takes less than 5 minutes to make a difference and improve the lives of California’s women, children, and families. Join NCJW California’s Rapid Response Team! 

As important legislation comes up for a vote, NCJW will send you emails and provide background information and simple scripts. All you have to do is email or call the targeted lawmaker(s). 

Join now and be part of the solution and fulfill the Jewish commitment to tikkun olam!

The Issue: The US Supreme Court is the highest court, serving as the last word on our rights. With Justice Breyer’s retirement announcement, President Biden has the opportunity to nominate a justice who is not only fair, independent, and qualified, but who would bring much needed diversity to the Court. 
 
The Good News: President Biden nominated Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court. If confirmed, Judge Jackson would be the first Black woman in history to sit on the Court.  
 
Our Task: Urge your senators to confirm Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the United States Supreme Court. 
 
National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) is shocked and horrified by the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine by Russian military forces and subsequent humanitarian crisis. We have compiled information and resources as you and NCJW Sections look for ways to be in solidarity with those impacted by this ongoing conflict.
 
Our Task: Educate, advocate, donate.
 
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Questions about anything you have read or related to our Section’s advocacy? Email advocacy@ncjwlongbeach.org.