NCJW Weekly Advocacy Wrap-Up: December 10
73Forward Campaign Update (Supreme Court Decides Future of Abortion Access)
Through 73Forward, our movement will share a clear, collective, and Jewish framework to increase on-the-ground access to abortion care for anyone who needs it. 
 
As part of 73Forward, last week, NCJW mobilized at the Supreme Court and around the country as the US Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the case, Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. This case has the potential to undo nearly 50 years of constitutional protection for abortion. NCJW led a morning Interfaith Gathering and helped kick off the rally at the Court, with advocates across the country joining virtually. 
 
Read our What’s At Stake 2021-2022 SCOTUS Term resource to learn about this case (and others) that NCJW is watching closely. Then, learn about what is at stake in Mississippi by watching and sharing this powerful video from Mississippi’s Abortion Freedom Fighters.
 
Check this link for five ways to take action to be a 73Forward advocate and then complete the form to receive your own complimentary 73Forward swag!

73Forward Co-Directors, Glenn Northern and Shira Zemel, loved joining with Section leaders from across the country last Friday for a Hanukkah Meet & Greet. They heard thoughts on what the “next chapter in abortion access” could look like and welcome you to add your ideas here and check out the gathering recording (Passcode: 9!SkYJKP).
 
Mark Your Calendars: #ReproShabbat 2022 - January 28th-29th
Repro Shabbat is coming up, January 28th-29th. This is the Shabbat during which we read the verses from the Torah that undergird Judaism's approach to abortion. 
 
This year we hope to have as many local Jewish communities participate as possible — this is how we reclaim the narrative as a faith community committed to abortion access! Please complete this interest sign-up form and share with Jewish communities near your Section such as JCCs, Hillels, and synagogues. Here’s a sample outreach email you can adapt. When someone completes the interest sign-up form, they will receive the Repro Shabbat toolkit. 
Text Bank to Get Out the Vax! 
NCJW is partnering with Made to Save and GOTVax on text banking on December 14th and December 16th at 6pm ET/ 3pm PT. GOTVax, a project of the National Urban League to get Black and Brown communities vaccinated, will provide the training, script, and tool. Click here to sign up! 

#GetCovered 
HealthCare.gov is open for you to shop, compare, and enroll in a health plan. Enrollment ends December 15th to be enrolled by January 1st and for all of 2022. Help NCJW spread the word about open enrollment using this social media toolkit to post on your Twitter, Facebook, and/or Instagram. December 5-11th is a Faith Week of Action, so use this special toolkit during this time. 
Action for Asylum Seekers
HIAS is devastated by the return of the “Remain in Mexico” program. The Biden Administration shockingly expanded the program to include asylum seekers from Haiti, which even the previous administration didn’t do. Join HIAS in the following actions:
  1. Demand the U.S. stop the expansion of "Remain in Mexico"
  2. Remotely Volunteer at the U.S.-Mexico Border:
(no legal experience necessary)
Wednesday, December 15, 12 pm
As the nights become longer and colder with winter approaching, our neighbors experiencing homelessness are becoming at increased risk to conditions that come about via exposure to the elements. While most of us remain at home to keep warm or to rest when we begin to feel ill, this cannot be done if we do not have a home to call our own.

Clearly health and homelessness have a connection. What is the full scope of it and what can we do about it? To find out, join United to End Homelessness on December 15th for our upcoming Community Chat: Health and Homelessness: What's the Connection? 

Joined by highly prominent and esteemed experts Dr. Kelly Doran and Bobby Watts, this community chat will seek to address and answer questions regarding how homelessness influences health.

Join in the Community Chat with your RSVP here.
The Issue: Forty percent of women, and women of color in particular, were forced to leave the workforce due to caregiving demands related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The health crisis laid bare the lack of structural support and systemic inequalities that have long been present in our nation.

The Good News: The Build Back Better Act (HR 5375) seeks to invest in children and families with the goal of providing basic resources to those in need, reducing child poverty, and creating a healthier workforce. It was passed in the House on November 19, 2021 and now moves on to the Senate for a final vote.

Our Task: Tell the Senate to pass the Build Back Better Act! 
The Issue: Intimate partner violence, sexual assault, harassment, and stalking affect millions of people. It impacts women, children, and families regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, age, and socioeconomic background.

The Good News: The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) must be reauthorized every five years, and the House recently passed a bill that would build upon and expand this essential law.

Our Task: Tell your senators to introduce and pass a bill similar to the House-passed VAWA!
The Issue: States across the country are making it more difficult to vote, particularly for people of color, people with disabilities, and low-income people.

The Good News: The Freedom to Vote Act would set national standards for casting a ballot and ensure every vote is counted — an important step toward realizing the promise of democracy for all.

Our Task: Tell your senators to not let anything stand in the way of passing this essential legislation.
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Questions about anything you have read or related to our Section’s advocacy? Email advocacy@ncjwlongbeach.org.