NCJW Weekly Advocacy Wrap-Up:
Friday, March 18, 2022
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In this issue...
NCJW California – Rapid Response Team
HIAS – Advocate for Ukrainian Families
Planned Parenthood – Advocacy Night
Section Recruitment – We Need You!
OCJCR – Open House Save the Date
73 Forward – Campaign Happenings
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RAPID RESPONSE TEAM
NCJW California
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TIRED OF FEELING LIKE THERE’S NOTHING YOU CAN DO?
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!
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More than two million Ukrainian refugees have crossed into neighboring countries since Russia invaded Ukraine just two weeks ago. While many will find refuge in Europe, the United States can do more to make sure that those with family in the U.S. can join them here.
Ukrainians with family members in the United States should be able to reunite with their loved ones through the U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program as soon as possible. Keeping families together has long been a cornerstone of U.S. refugee policy; there is precedent for taking these steps during times of war and crisis
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ADVOCACY NIGHT
Thursday, March 31
6:00–7:00 pm, Zoom
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Join us for Advocacy Night on Thursday, March 31st at 6:00 PM via Zoom to celebrate Women's History Month and talk about the latest development in the fight to protect abortion rights across the country and talk about how you can stay involved with us.
What: Advocacy Night
When: Thursday, March 31, 6:00 PM–7:00 PM
Where: Virtual Via Zoom
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SECTION RECRUITMENT – Working Group |
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Did you miss the e-blast? Our Section is recruiting!
Join our Working Groups
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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.
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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
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Join OCJCR leadership to learn 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
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“Your cheap thrills will never be more important than my spiritual and physical sovereignty!"
March is Women’s History Month. We are also celebrating the 100th anniversary of Bat Mitzvah with our partners at Jewish Women’s Archive. It is a time to recognize and honor the amazing women who came before us; Women who opened doors, paved paths, broke ceilings, and spoke truth to power to enable freedoms many enjoy today. It
is important that we lift each other up, both the lauded and unsung heroes.
This could not be more true as we reflect on the Purim story this week. We listened to Not the Patriarchy’s Purim: A Feminist Celebration, a fun, moving, poignant, and powerful interpretation of the Purim story. We were reminded that so many of the struggles women and other marginalized communities faced centuries ago are still present with us today even while we make real progress. Bodily autonomy is a necessary antecedent for leadership. Whether granted by, withheld by, or wrested from the patriarchy, without bodily autonomy, other freedoms are void.
As such, limiting others' bodily autonomy is a key way for the patriarchy to maintain control; that remains just as true today as it did in Shushan. This month, let us invoke the two Purim heroines, Queen Vashti and Queen Esther, as we tackle abortion bans, voter suppression, war, and the host of ills that plague women, children, and families. These powerful queens remind us of our strength and voice. They teach us to be principled, to strategize, and to organize. We reinforce the long chain of social justice warriors knowing that we “are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are [we] free to desist from it” (Pirkei Avot 2:21)
Onward,
Shira Zemel and Glenn Northern
73Forward Co-Directors
Must Reads & In the News
👋Hi, Shira here! Read Glenn’s gorgeous and important blog Still We Rise, threading antisemitism, racism, and violence against abortion providers and celebrating our community’s collective power to flourish despite hardship.
Ever participated in a postpartum meal train for a friend? Brought food for sitting shiva? Abortion takes a village, too. Read this poignant piece with great strategies for folks to take on in their daily lives to be an ally to pregnant people.
Dr. Hern, one of the nation’s most venerated abortion doctors, recounts his years of service providing abortions, his calling to this work after seeing tragedies, and why he stays.
A wonderful article that articulates Jewish support for reproductive justice by Rep. Andy Levine (D-MI), who introduced a resolution in support of abortion providers for Abortion Provider Appreciation Day. He gives NCJW a shout out and lifts up the importance of faith voices.
Partner Resource
Guttmacher Institute's 2022 State Legislative Sessions (thus far). Spoiler Alert: “2022 is shaping up to be an even more devastating year for abortion rights and access” than the absolutely horrifying 2021 was. While many legislatures are still in session, this piece provides a snapshot of what’s happening in the states at this moment.
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