It is not every week that I get to start my message with a clear story of success, and so when I do it is especially meaningful.

Yesterday, the Senate refused to vote Senate Bill 666, also known as the "Shoot First" bill, out of Committee. This bill shifted the burden of proof onto the prosecutor to prove that a person was not intending to cause harm in the event that they were shot by someone claiming self-defense. This legislation brought together an unusual coalition of the NAACP, PROMO, Moms Demand Action, JCRC, Christian faith leaders, the police unions, prosecutors, and sheriffs to all stand in opposition to this bill. And our voices were heard.

The JCRC was back in Jefferson City this week as Cheryl joined with partners to stand in support of voting rights. We recognize that the ability to express our voice and ensure that every citizen is able to vote safely and securely is a fundamental cornerstone of American democracy and what has allowed our Jewish community to thrive, and we are proud to stand strongly in defense of these civil liberties.

And this week included a rousing discussion among the Four Rabbis about Israel, anti-Zionism, and antisemitism. If you missed it, you can catch up here.

Much is happening and much more to come, but for now, I am hoping you all have an opportunity to take this weekend as one of rest, rejuvenation, and joy, to renew ourselves until the work continues next week.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rori has been added to the Board of the Parliament of World Religions, whose mission is to cultivate harmony among the world’s religious and spiritual communities and to foster their engagement with the world and its guiding institutions to address the critical issues of our time.

For the first time in their history, St Louis' Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion has a Rabbi in Residence. Rori Picker Neiss will fill this role.

In this capacity, Rori will preach and teach 2-3 times per year with Holy Communion and will advise Rev. Mike Angell and the vestry on their engagement with the Jewish Community and their wider interfaith work, while assisting in the planning of an interfaith trip to the Holy Land for 2023.

It was another busy week in Jefferson City. JCRE released two Advocacy Updates this week as the House has been hearing many bills of concern. The House passed HJR 79, which would have serious implications for the Initiative Petition Process in our state. Please register to attend the upcoming program on this issue, to learn more about this issue and what we can do to fight the measure when it is debated by the Missouri Senate. Cheryl was in Jefferson City on Wednesday to give testimony against several bills that would further restrict voting rights in the state.

Last week, JCRC participated with a coalition of faith and public safety groups to oppose SB 666, the “Shoot First” bill. On Thursday, the bill was rejected by the Senate Committee, and will not be moving forward in the legislative process.

Include the hashtag #stlfightsantisemitism

This simple, safe quiz was created by local high school students from the Asian American Civic Scholars group, mentored and led by Min Liu.

This came about due to these students’ observations and experiences within their respective schools. In light of the ongoing misunderstanding, lack of knowledge, and hatred regarding the AAPI Communities, ongoing AAPI education remains important. This quiz by no means covers the entire rich diversity of our AAPI community, but it is a start to broaden awareness of AAPI history in St. Louis and Missouri.

Wednesday, February 16

6 - 7:30 pm | Virtual

A panel of religious leaders, including Maharat Rori Picker Neiss, will gather to discuss the film Mission: Joy and its wisdom. The moderator is the Rev. Matt Miofsky, founding pastor of The Gathering a multi-campus church in St. Louis. Matt was a student of Archbishop Tutu’s at Emory.