NCJW Weekly Advocacy Wrap-Up:
Friday, March 4, 2022
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In this issue...
HIAS Refugee Shabbat
-Local observances TONIGHT
-Webinar on Sunday, March 6th
-Temple Israel observance next week
OCJCR
-The Cave Screening – now through March 10th
-Panel – March 8th, 1 pm
73 Forward
-Sunday, March 6th – Conversation on Reproductive Justice
-Abortion Care Provider Appreciation Day March 10th
HIAS Webinar – Response in Ukraine – March 9th
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HIAS Refugee Shabbat – Local Observances |
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HIAS Refugee Shabbat is a moment for congregations, organizations, and individuals in the United States and around the world to dedicate a Shabbat experience to refugees and asylum seekers. This past year our hearts have swelled at the massive global effort to evacuate and find safe homes for Afghans fleeing for their lives; and they have broken seeing people whose lives are in danger being turned away at border crossings around the world. This is a critical moment for all of us to reaffirm and redouble our support for refugees and asylum seekers.
Please join one of the observances at our local synagogues:
TONIGHT
Beth David will hold its monthly family service at 7 pm on Friday, March 4th. Rabbi Myers will share family friendly stories about refugee challenges and triumphs. A live stream is available here or you can attend in-person at 6100 Hefley Street, Westminster.
Temple Beth Shalom’s Rabbi Cantor will explore the plight of the refugee during his Saturday, March 5th morning service at 10 am. All are welcome to attend in person at 3635 Elm Avenue in Long Beach. A live stream is also available here.
Next Friday
Joe Goldman, HIAS Community Engagement Director, Western Region, will speak at Temple Israel on Friday, March 11th. Services begin at 7 pm in person at 269 Loma Avenue, Long Beach or via livestream here.
HIAS has also provided this special video message from HIAS’ Senior Vice President for Programs, Raphael Marcus. Raphael shares thoughts about the moment we find ourselves in today, in relation to the global refugee crisis, and what it looks like to act in solidarity with and in support of those who are forcibly displaced.
Sunday
Additionally, as part of Refugee Shabbat weekend HIAS will be hosting a global webinar program (Sunday, March 6 at 10:30pm PT) to discuss how different Jewish communities are putting their values into action. We will hear from HIAS and JIAS leadership from Canada, Europe, and the United States about the ways that the global Jewish community is rising to meet the challenges of this unprecedented moment in the refugee crisis: advocating for more humane asylum and refugee policies, engaging in direct action to support and sponsor refugee newcomers in their communities, and tackling the ever-present shadow of xenophobia.
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The Cave
Streaming through March 10, 2022
Discussion on Tuesday, March 8, 2022
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Orange County Jewish Coalition for Refugees –
We will be streaming The Cave, March 3 - 10 with a panel discussion March 8, 1 pm, featuring Shadi Martini, Executive Director, Multifaith Alliance for Syrian Refugees. The Cave tells the story of a doctor and her female team claiming their right to work as equals alongside male counterparts inside a subterranean hospital in war-torn Syria, despite the oppressively patriarchal Syrian culture. Shadi Martini will share his story of running a hospital in Aleppo and the life-saving work MFA does to deliver aid to Syria as well as MRA’s work with Israel.
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Abortion Care Provider Appreciation Day
Thursday, March 10, 2022
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On a week like this, with the harrowing reports out of the Ukraine, we are reminded of the importance of Victor Frankl's words regarding “the last of human freedoms - the ability to choose one's attitude, especially an attitude of gratitude in a given set of circumstances, especially in difficult circumstances.” (Emphasis our own). What is happening in Ukraine is tragic and we’re thinking about all those who are suffering. We hold close in our hearts the many vulnerable people without vital medication and access to food, and those who are pregnant finding themselves now giving birth in impossible conditions, among so many others.
While the fight for equal access to abortion care everywhere is ongoing, our 73Forward campaign reminds us to look forward and help the world bend towards the justice we so badly need. Next week we have the chance to lift up abortion care providers who provide for people, in increasingly hostile states, seeking this vital health care. On Thursday, March 10th, we celebrate Abortion Provider Appreciation Day. We hope that during this moment we can loudly express our gratitude to those who make abortion possible. This week’s Forward Friday has lots of opportunities for you to act, tools and resources to celebrate abortion care providers, and a follow up on the Senate’s WHPA vote.
In breaking news, late yesterday, on Thursday March 3rd, Florida passed a 15-week abortion ban that Governor Ron Desantis is expected to sign.
As we enter Shabbat, we will rest so we can recommit ourselves to the work that lies ahead.
Onward,
Shira Zemel and Glenn Northern
73Forward Co-Directors
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P.S. Join us this Sunday, March 6th at 8 pm ET for a conversation on reproductive justice with our friends at Tzedek Box! Learn more and register here.
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Send us a photo of you holding this selfie sign by Monday, March 7th to be featured in the NCJW “Thank you, providers” photo montage! Please upload your photos here.
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Humanitarian Response in Ukraine
Wednesday, March 9, 2022
12 pm to 1 pm PST
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In a matter of only days, the humanitarian situation in Ukraine has become an emergency, with many thousands of people displaced from their homes. HIAS has supported refugees from Ukraine for decades. Together with our partner Right to Protection (R2P), HIAS is addressing the current crisis by providing aid on the ground, advocating for policies to protect newly displaced refugees, and preparing for an emergency humanitarian response in the region.
HIAS’ emergency response team has begun a humanitarian assessment mission in the region. When they return, join us to hear a full report on what is happening on the ground, what HIAS’ plans are to provide aid and protection for displaced Ukranians, and what you can do to help.
Advance registration is required. Login details will be sent before the start of the event.
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Rabbi in Residence Danya Ruttenberg on Full Frontal with Samatha Bee!
We are thrilled NCJW’s Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg was featured alongside Catholics for Choice's Jamie Manson and the Repro Legal Defense Fund's Rafa Kidvai in a segment called, But God Didn’t Say That: Religious Community Members Talk God and Abortion. You can watch it here or share our tweet.
NCJW Praises Nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to US Supreme Court
President Biden nominated Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the US Supreme Court. NCJW fully supports and celebrates this historic nomination. If confirmed, she would be the first Black woman on the Court.
Educate, engage, and mobilize yourselves and your Sections:
Support the People of Ukraine
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 your Sections look for ways to be in solidarity with those impacted by this ongoing conflict.
NCJW is proud to partner with the Jewish Women's Archive on the celebration of the 100thAnniversary of Bat Mitzvah!
When Judith Kaplan became the first American girl to have a bat mitzvah ceremony on March 18, 1922, Jewish life changed forever. Bat mitzvah firsts were a catalyst for expanding women’s participation in Jewish life and paved the way for people of all genders to mark their coming-of-age in new and inclusive ways. Look here for a list of ways that you can participate — including recording your oral history, holding a class on the history of the bat mitzvah, and more — and let Jewish Women’s Archive know how you'll plug in by completing this form.
Columbia University Research Study on American Jewish Politics
Columbia University and the Jewish Theological Seminary are conducting a research study on Jewish political preferences in the US. The goal of the study is to learn how Jewish Americans think about politics and voting. The study takes 10 minutes and is completely anonymous and confidential. Participate in the survey here.
Save the Date
Not the Patriarchy’s Purim: A Feminist Celebration on Tuesday, March 15th at 7:30 pm ET/ 4:30pm PT.
Register here for the Zoom details
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