February Lunch & Learn:
Current State of Immigration with Javad M. Khazaeli
When: Thursday, February 17 | 12:00 – 1:00 PM CT
Where: Zoom Meeting

Immigration has been a touchstone of the U.S. political debate for decades, as policymakers have weighed economic, security, and humanitarian concerns. Congress has been unable to reach an agreement on comprehensive immigration reform for years, and in the meantime, people are suffering. NCJWSTL has always been at the forefront of immigration rights advocacy, and we must always strive to do more.

For our February Lunch and Learn, we are thrilled to welcome Javad M. Khazaeli, the Co-Founder of Khazaeli Wyrsch, LLC, a St. Louis-based law firm that focuses on civil rights, immigration, and litigation. In 2021, the Riverfront Times chose Javad as the Best Attorney in St. Louis. In 2017, St. Louis University awarded Javad and his firm the Excellence in Pro Bono and Public Service award. Javad is the only private bar attorney in America that has served in senior immigration positions in both the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Labor. For nearly a decade, he was assigned to the Department of Justice and then the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, National Security Law Division. His writings have been featured in the New York Times, Washington Post, and others, and his life story was featured on the 11:FS-Connection Interrupted technology podcast, Javad Khazaeli, The Immigrant’s Story.

Please click here to RSVP and receive your login information. If you have any questions, please contact Jen Bernstein at jbernstein@ncjwstl.org.
The Citizen Initiative Petition -
What's at Risk and Why Should You Care?
When: Wednesday, February 16 | 7:30 PM CT
Where: Zoom Meeting

Missouri’s initiative petition system has been in place for 115 years. It allows citizens to put an issue on the ballot for a statewide vote. This critical tool, used through the years by citizens from all political persuasions is now under attack by lawmakers who want to curtail the people’s power.

NCJWSTL is excited to co-sponsor an informative panel with Rabbi Andrea Goldstein of Congregation Shaare Emeth and Richard Von Glahn of Missouri Jobs With Justice. They will discuss what you need to do to fight back against various legislative efforts to derail our rights as voters.

Please click here to register for the program.
Tell the Missouri Senate Education Committee Not to Divert Funding from our Public Schools and Vote NO on SB 869
No matter what we look like, where we come from, or what’s in our wallets, all Missourians want our kids to get the best education possible.

Unfortunately, some special interests view public education differently. Despite our ranking as the 49 in the nation in state support for public schools, certain politicians seek to further siphon off that limited support and provide it to unaccountable charter schools.

Public money must come with public accountability. Instead of cutting the already insufficient level of support for students, let’s fully fund our classrooms and protect a local school system that works for our children and their teachers, not for special interests.

Click here to tell the Senate Education Committee to oppose SB 869 and any legislation that seeks to move public money through any entity besides the locally elected school board that is there to represent the community.
Volunteer for the St. Francis Xavier College Church
Photo ID Program
When: Tuesdays from 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM (multiple shifts available)
Where: St. Francis Xavier College Church | 3628 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63108

NCJWSTL has been working in coalition with St. Francis Xavier College Church for several years as an advocacy partner fighting repressive voter ID laws in Missouri. While we focus on the legislative work, they provide assistance with Missouri State ID cards and birth certificates from any state to people with low incomes and limited resources.

There are gaps in social services as well as systemic disparities in the St. Louis area. St. Francis partners with our outreach programs to fill these gaps and moderate the effects of systemic disparities. Many individuals experiencing homelessness and being released from prison must first overcome the obstacle of not having a state ID or Birth Certificate in order to take steps to be independent and self-sufficient.

If you are looking for a rewarding volunteer opportunity that will truly make a difference, this just might be the one for you.

Please click here to sign up to volunteer. Click here to watch their training video. For more information about the program, please click here.
Urge Your Legislators to Prioritize Contraceptive Equity
If 2021 taught us anything, it’s that birth control is not a bargaining chip – Missouri residents across the political spectrum strongly support greater access to contraception. That’s why we’re going on the offense this session.

According to a new public opinion poll conducted by The Right Time initiative, 76% of Missourians believe the state legislature should increase access to birth control. We must let our lawmakers know that we are in the 76%.

We are asking our elected officials to pass the following legislation:
  • Annual-Supply Birth Control (an NCJWSTL bill);
  • Pharmacist-Dispensing of Birth Control; and
  • The Compassionate Assistance for Rape Emergencies (CARE) Act.

When signed into law, these bills will significantly increase access to contraception, improving health equity and reproductive health outcomes.

Click here to sign the petition urging your legislators to prioritize contraceptive equity this session.
Take Action: Join the A-List
Now more than ever you will want to make sure that your name is on NCJWSTL's A-List for 2022! 

Join us as we stand together and speak out about the issues that matter most.

Together we can make a difference!

A-List sponsorship ads sustain our collaborative efforts to educate the community and elected officials about issues integral to our mission. The full-page ads will run in the St. Louis Jewish Light during 2022.

  • $18 includes your name in the ad.
  • $54 makes you an Advocate Plus with your name in bold.
  • $72 makes you a sponsor with your name distinguished in color and includes a special gift.
Click here to see the A-List flyer.
Click here to see the latest A-List Ad.
Join the A-list here.
Interesting Reading
According to CNBC & Acorn’s Invest In You Student Loan Survey, 68 million American adults have student debt. Fifteen percent have federal student loan debt, and women and people of color are disproportionately represented in these groups - statistics show Black college graduates owe an average of $25,000 more in student loan debt than white college graduates.

Click here to read Murjani Rawls article from The Root, "Survey Shows Student Loan Holders Most Likely To Be People of Color."