NCJW Weekly Advocacy Wrap-Up: August 20
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Dear Advocate,
Like so many of you, we are heartbroken watching the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan unfold. In particular, the short term and long-term impact of the fundamentalist takeover of the country on women and girls, children and families, is deeply concerning. We know those remaining in the country are likely in extreme danger.
As we have learned from our longtime partner HIAS, because of the rapidly deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan, few options are available for those at risk of violent retaliation. Borders to neighboring countries are officially closed, and in-country refugee processing is not a possibility. So, they are pressing for large scale humanitarian evacuations for those whose lives are in danger. This includes not just Afghans who were affiliated with the US mission, but also human rights activists (especially women and girls), journalists, and religious minorities.
Welcoming the stranger — the immigrant, the refugee, the asylum-seeker — is one of Judaism's most core values. The Torah commands us no fewer than 36 times to care for those whose homeland, language, social network, and resources may be elsewhere. We hear this more than any other commandment in our most sacred of texts, perhaps because it’s all too tempting, when things are going well for us — when we, ourselves are comfortable, when we, ourselves are safe, to turn our backs on those who have come to us for shelter, for protection — because their own home has become untenable. It is so easy to forget. So the Torah has to remind us, again and again, until we remember.
There is no easy solution to what is happening in Afghanistan. But our history, our tradition, our humanity calls us to act. Here are four ways you can help
Advocate. Sign our petition to the Biden administration urging swift evacuation and resettlement of thousands of Afghans in imminent danger.
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Educate. Join HIAS for a briefing on Monday, Aug 23 at 4:00pm ET on the current state of affairs in Afghanistan, what it means for those left behind, what to expect for refugees and Special Immigrant Visas moving forward, and how you can take action. Register here.
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Volunteer. Afghan refugees will be arriving in the United States as soon as flights can start leaving Kabul, and we will need volunteers to help welcome them. Contact a HIAS resettlement partner or another local refugee agency to sign up.
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Share. NCJW created this graphic and sample posts for your individual, organizational, and Section social media accounts. Help amplify what is happening in Afghanistan, the importance of welcoming the stranger, and how your network can get involved by raising awareness on social media and with your communities.
For more than 125 years, NCJW has boldly imagined a world where women, children, and families are fully valued and supported. This vision is more important than ever as we remember what the Torah teaches us and heed the moral imperative to do our part to welcome the stranger.
Warmly,
Sheila Katz
Chief Executive Officer
National Council of Jewish Women
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People of faith have long been at the heart of the fight to expand and protect the right to vote, as we know that in order to tackle the issues our faiths call us to address — systemic racism, poverty, reproductive rights, and more — we need a functioning democracy.
On August 22 at 3pm ET, National Council of Jewish Women is cosponsoring a virtual, interfaith event, “Faithful Democracy: A Moral Prelude to Marching,” that will kick off a week of action on voting rights culminating in marches across the country. Join us to hear from inspiring faith leaders about why our voices are needed and be inspired to take action. Register here
On August 28, the 58th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s historic March on Washington, NCJW is joining March On, SEUI, National Action Network, and the Drum Major Institute for national action: March On for Voting Rights. We’ll gather in Washington, DC, Atlanta, Houston, Miami, and Phoenix — and other cities across the country — to demand that elected officials denounce voter suppression and ensure fair, easy access to the vote for all. Visit ncjw.org/march-on-for-voting-rights for more details.
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NCJW is committed to promoting and protecting the vote as a
foundation of our democracy.
Here in California, the 2021 California Governor Recall Election will be held on September 14, 2021. This election seeks to recall (remove from office) our current California Governor, Gavin Newsom.
Please exercise your right to vote.
Here’s some information you may find helpful. Check your mailbox:
- Sample ballots from your County are now being mailed.
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On August 16 vote-by-mail ballots will start to be sent out to all registered voters.
Here’s what’s on the ballot. The ballot contains two questions:
- Question 1. Should the Governor be recalled (removed from office)? Yes or No?
- Question 2. If the Governor is recalled, who should replace him?
You can vote on Question 1, Question 2 or both.
You can vote on Question 2 no matter how you voted on Question 1
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Watch here for updates.
It’s your VOTE
Make it COUNT
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NCJW CA is a member of the Equal Right Advocates’ Stronger California Coalition and urges support of SB62, the Garment Worker Protection Act. You can sign on to a petition here.
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Five hundred thousand cheers for Vote Forward volunteers!
With 500,000 letters written and stockpiled, Vote Forward is one-third of the way to meeting their goal of writing 1.5 million letters to Virginia voters ahead of the general election on Nov. 2. Thank you to everyone who has already written letters for the Virginia campaigns! Polls are extremely close, so let's celebrate this milestone by writing more letters! ✍
If you haven’t written letters yet, we hope you will join this effort. To make a difference in Virginia this fall, go to https://votefwd.org/ncjwca. Log in or sign up, but don’t adopt any voters on this screen. Go to View All Active Campaigns and select the Social Campaign.
Don’t forget, Vote Forward is sending two waves of letters to Virginia voters: ”vote by mail” and “please vote” letters. As soon as the first wave of “vote by mail” letters is finished, they’ll roll out the second wave of “please vote” letters to encourage even more Virginia voters to cast general election ballots in 2021.
Here’s the plan for Virginia:
FIRST WAVE: Started with a “vote by mail” letter wave, and we’re stockpiling those letters until we mail on Saturday, September 18, right when absentee and early in-person voting begin.
SECOND WAVE: When the “vote by mail” letters are written, they'll roll out a wave of "please vote" letters to write and stockpile until the Saturday, October 16, mail date.
As always, thank you for making Vote Forward’s Virginia campaigns possible. You have our team’s deepest gratitude for your commitment to encouraging fellow citizens to vote.
The Vote Forward Team
P.S. If you’re on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, we’d love to see photos of your growing letter stockpiles—be sure to tag @votefwd when you share! If you’re not on social media, please email us a photo at hello@votefwd.org. Just be sure to hide or blur voter names and addresses in your stockpile photos.
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The issue: The Supreme Court has taken a case that has the potential to overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark case that protects the right to an abortion in the United States.
The good news: The Constitution — and public opinion — are on our side! Since 1973, the Supreme Court has affirmed and reaffirmed the constitutional guarantee that each person has the right to choose abortion.
Our task: Sign this pledge to affirm that abortion access should be expanded and not eliminated.
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The issue: Since the 2020 election, states have passed more than 30 laws making it more difficult to vote.
The good news: On August 28, the 58th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s historic March on Washington, NCJW is joining March On, SEUI, National Action Network, and the Drum Major Institute for a national March On for Voting Rights.
Our task: Sign up to participate in this effort calling on our lawmakers to ensure fair and easy access to the vote for all.
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The issue: More than two million women have dropped out of the workforce and it is largely the result of structural inequalities inherent in our economy — inequalities that Congress and prior administrations have chosen not to address.
The good news: In August, the Senate released its plan for a recovery bill and it includes many NCJW priorities, such as expanding health care, implementing paid leave, fighting child poverty, investing in education, and creating a path to citizenship for certain immigrants.
Our task: Tell our elected officials that it’s critical they pass a recovery bill that protects women, children, and families.
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