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Social Justice and Interfaith Newsletter for the Greater Washington Jewish Community
Passover 2011
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The stranger that sojourns with you shall be unto you as the home-born among you, and thou shall love him as thyself; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God. Leviticus 19:34
On Passover we remember not only our own enslavement in Egypt, and our own journey to freedom. The Torah repeatedly calls on us to treat others justly because of our experience as strangers in the land of Egypt. As America, Israel, and other countries around the world, struggle to develop humane immigration policies, the Jewish community and the JCRC remain committed to justice and the ethical treatment of every person.
The JCRC worked together with Jews United for Justice and CASA de Maryland to pass Montgomery County’s law to protect basic protections for domestic workers. The Domestic Workers Law was the result of a three year campaign by domestic workers and advocacy groups to help improve the working conditions for domestic workers. The law requires employers of certain domestic workers to negotiate and offer a written contract that discloses specific information regarding job conditions and benefits. The law also prohibits retaliation against a domestic worker who requests a written contract, attempts to enforce the terms of a contract, or files a complaint or participates in an investigation of a complaint. Council members George Leventhal and Marc Elrich were the primary sponsors of this bill which was passed unanimously by the Council and signed by County Executive Ike Leggett.
The JCRC, in conjunction with the community organizing group Impact Silver Spring, recently completed two series of Women’s Neighbor Circles. We brought together Jewish women and immigrant women from Africa and Latin America who live in and near Takoma Park to share their personal stories and their cultures. We were able to connect women who share the same neighborhood, and in some cases had children in the same classes, but might never have spoken to one another if they had not participated in this project. Participants had the opportunity to connect to one another, and to the wider community, in a meaningful way. Part of the Neighbor’s Circle program included participating in Montgomery County’s “Door Knocking” campaign. The women talked to people about issues of concern to them, identified common issues within the community, invited residents to participate in community empowerment meetings and connected families to resources to help improve their lives.
On April 7th the JCRC, along with the Embassy of Israel, the Washington Regional Office of the American Jewish Committee, the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS), and Project Interchange, held an event titled “From the Four Corners of the Earth: Exploring Successful Models of Welcoming and Acculturating Immigrant Communities.” We welcomed leaders in the Jewish community, local immigrant communities, and organizations working with immigrant communities to the Israeli Embassy to learn about Israel’s longstanding tradition of welcoming and acculturating immigrants from around the world. We were welcomed by Eliav Benjamin, Counselor for Political Affairs for the Israeli Embassy who shared his own experiences as an immigrant to Israel. Dr. Fred Lazin, professor emeritus from Ben Gurion University, and visiting professor at American University, offered historical context for the Israeli immigrant experience, and Mark Hetfield, Senior Vice President for Policy and Programs at HIAS, discussed the situation in Israel today. The evening involved a multisensory experience as we ate food representing Israel’s many communities, and viewed the trailer for the Academy Award Winner for Best Documentary Short Subject: Strangers No More. Photojournalist Irene Fertik loaned us her exhibit: From Tesfa to Tikva: A Lens on Ethiopian Israelis which documents the arrival of Israel’s Ethiopian community.
Through the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS), the Jewish community demonstrates its commitment to other communities striving to adjust to their new lands in the greater DC area and throughout the world. Young Leaders of HIAS volunteer at the Central American Immigrant Center (CARECEN) in the Columbia Heights neighborhood of Washington, DC to help Central American immigrants overcome the barriers they face in attaining citizenship. This includes working with the students to improve their knowledge of testing material, help students become more comfortable in their English-language skills, and providing scholarships to subsidize the cost of applying for the naturalization exam. In addition, HIAS and CARECEN have held several cultural exchange events, which enrich the partnership by providing a framework in which cross-cultural sharing can take place in a relaxed setting, thus strengthening the Jewish-Latino relationships at the core of this project. For more information and to get involved, contact liza.lieberman@hias.org. HIAS is also beginning a partnership with the African Immigrant and Refugee Foundation (AIRF), and has developed an educational curriculum for the Jewish community entitled Welcome the Stranger.
We have the obligation to protect the “orphan, the widow and the stranger” - those in society who are the most vulnerable to abuse. As our society struggles to deal with the complex issues raised by immigration, we must strive to protect human dignity and ensure access to fair treatment in business, protection and medical assistance.
What's happening in the area:
The Washington Post of February 10th, 2011, has many articles on the results of the most recent census.
In Israel - how we help:
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Gave a Prestigious Partnership Award to HIAS for collaborative efforts with USCIS and the Israeli Ministry of the Interior in building an Israeli asylum system.
When Karen Tal became principal of Bialik Rogozin, the school featured in Strangers No More, she outlined the needs of the school for the children to succeed. The Tel Aviv Foundation, in their partnership with the Tel Aviv Yafo Municipality, turned her wish list into a reality - most notably with the building of the cafeteria and the library and resource center. Donors, through the Foundation, also built the cinema room, music room, and sports court as well as provide ongoing meal support and enable extracurricular activities for the children at this extraordinary school.
"Let all who are hungry come in and eat." It is an obligation to provide food for the hungry on Passover. Jewish Council for Public Affairs:
learn about issues of hunger, plan a Hunger Seder, find opportunities to take action and contact your legislators, and download activities and one page inserts that can be incorporated into a seder at home, in a synagogue or other settings.
Hagaddah for 2011 Hunger Seder
This year's haggadah has several one page inserts that can be incorporated into a seder at home, in a synagogue, or in other settings.
Leket Israel, Israel's National Food Bank
Serving as the country's largest food bank and food rescue network, Leket Israel works to alleviate the problem of nutritional insecurity.
Interfaith Events in April and May
TRAINING: UNDERSTANDING AND INFLUENCING THE DC BUDGET
DC Jobs With Justice – Tuesday, April 19, 2011, 6:30-8:30pm
Part of the monthly Grassroots Leadership Education Program, a collaboration between DC Jobs with Justice and Empower DC designed to strengthen organizing and build power among working people in the District of Columbia. It incorporates skill building and political education into 2-hour long monthly trainings.
RAGS PERFORMANCE AT THEATER LABS
Jews United For Justice – Tuesday, April 24-23, 2011, 8:00-10:00pm
The Theatre Lab School of the Dramatic Arts presents Rags by Stephen Schwartz, Charles Strouse, and Joseph Stein. The musical, written in 1986, focuses on the arrival of Jewish immigrants to New York City in the early part of the last century-an introduction to America that, for some, included work in the notorious sweatshops of the Lower East Side. Directed by Deb Gottesman and Buzz Mauro. April 14 to 23 at 8:00 p.m.
HILLTOP 2011 CHARITY GULF OUTING
United Community Ministries – Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Join in the fun for a great cause on April 26, 2011 when Hilltop Golf Course hosts their 8th Annual Charity Golf Outing to benefit United Community Ministries and Good Shepherd Housing and Family Services. Come enjoy nine holes of golf, a delicious picnic lunch and the chance to win a new car or $15,000 in cash! Shotguns are at 9:30 am and 1:30 pm and cost is $50 per person. All proceeds will be donated to UCM and Good Shepherd Housing and Family Services.
SPRING LUNCHEON
Loudon Interfaith Relief – Tuesday, April 26, 2011, 11:30am-1:30pm
Join us at the Spring Luncheon and listen to guest speaker Ambassador Tony Hall. Seating is limited. Reserve your sponsorship or ticket soon. Please call Tina Johnson at (703) 777-8577 for more information.
BEST OF RESTON
Reston Interfaith – Thursday, April 28, 2011
Presented with the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce, the annual Best of Reston Awards honor businesses, organizations, and individuals who have put forth tremendous effort in their commitment to community service and improving the lives of others. Sponsorship opportunities are available for $500 and up. Individual gala tickets and tables of ten are also available.
HOMESTRETCH BENEFIT BREAKFAST 2011
Homestretch – Thursday, May 5, 2011, 7:45-9:00am
Spend an hour of your morning learning about the impact Homestretch has made on the homeless community. Hear first-hand stories from our clients about their journey from homelessness to self-sufficiency.
2011 GOLF TOURNAMENT
Western Fairfax Christian Ministries – Monday, May 9, 2011
WFCM is holding its annual "Swing for Homelessness Prevention" Golf Tournament on Monday, May 9, 2011 at the Chantilly National Golf and Country Club in Centreville, Virginia. Don't miss this opportunity to play for the fun of the game while helping WFCM assist local families with their most basic needs.
2011 OPEN DOORS BENEFIT BREAKFAST
FACETS – Tuesday, May 10, 2011, 8:00-9:00am
Join us at our Opening Doors Benefit Breakfast at the Waterford at Fair Oaks to learn about FACETS and meet fellow community members who take satisfaction in doing something important for our neighbors in need.
10TH ANNUAL HOPE AWARDS DINNER
Calvary Women's Services – Tuesday, May 17, 2011, 6:00-9:00pm
The Hope Awards Dinner is your chance to meet some local heroes. This intimate dinner honors those who offer hope and support to women in need. Each honoree has done significant work that brings us closer to a community that cares for and supports all people. The event, which includes a cocktail reception, dinner and silent auction, benefits women at Calvary who are working to move from homelessness to self-sufficiency. Women who have successfully moved from Calvary’s programs will share their journeys from homelessness to independence.
TRAINING: ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSIONS AND CIVIC ASSOCIATIONS
DC Jobs With Justice – Tuesday, May 17, 2011, 6:30-8:30pm
Part of the monthly Grassroots Leadership Education Program, a collaboration between DC Jobs with Justice and Empower DC designed to strengthen organizing and build power among working people in the District of Columbia. It incorporates skill building and political education into 2-hour long monthly trainings.
SOUND BITES
DC Central Kitchen – Sunday, May 22, 2011
Join us at the 9:30 Club when DC's hottest chefs and coolest music acts will be spinning plates and mixing jams—all to benefit DC Central Kitchen.
SUKKOT IN SPRING
Yachad – Sundays in April and May 2011
If you are a member of a congregation in the area and you want to participate in a Yachad project with your fellow congregants, check to see when and if they are involved with our flagship program for the Jewish community, Sukkot in Spring. The program mobilizes Jewish congregations throughout the DC area and matches them each to a house or community center in need of repair. Volunteer congregants work side-by-side with the homeowners and community to repair the space on a Sunday in spring.
Connecting individuals of all ages and families to the support needed to move forward during difficult economic times.
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