Table of Contents - Action Items * RAC-TX and Reclaim Our Vote Phone Banks: 9/22, 10/18 * RAC-TX 100% Voting Calls & Election Advocacy * CBI Civic Engagement Survey * Community Call with Travis County Clerk About Election: 10/1 * Anti-Poverty House Meeting: 10/21 * Temple Beth Shalom Refugee Fund Donation Request
A Word From Social Justice Coordinator Jason Taper
L'Shana Tova to All of Y'all!
Like I promised last week, I’ll save the bold 5781 predictions and pronouncements for the Rabbis. But what I can offer y’all is a list of what I consider to be good social justice resolutions and hopes for the new year:
May we all treat each other as people, not means to an end, or enemies to be vanquished. May we realize that the inclusive process by which we make the change we seek is nearly as important as the ends we seek in themselves. May we reject the arrogance of simple solutions in favor of the empathy of listening to community. May we stare injustice in the face with clear eyes, understanding without despairing. May we respond to the evils of the world with compassion and determination to right them, not ignorance and escapism. May we keep up the energy to organize, not agonize, in the face of injustice. May we understand that self-care is essential to sustainable social justice organizing. May we see the humanity of each and every human. May we fight just as hard, if not harder, for those who don’t look, think, or act like us. May we keep perspective that no tactic alone, whether it’s protest, voting, lobbying, or direct assistance, is sufficient -- but that together we can move the needle. May we keep faith in our own ability to enact change. And most importantly, may we all look back on this year and say, “I’m glad I did all I could.” Because that’s all we can ask of ourselves. My heartfelt thanks and sincere hopes go out to each of you. May this year be one of sweetness and life for each of us. Regardless of shul affiliation, the point of contact for every initiative listed would be happy to have your help. And if you simply want to ask how best to be an ally, or how we got here, please reply to this email, fill out the form above, or call me. My email is jason.austinsocialjustice@gmail.com, and my number is 469-834-9987. Thank you!
Ongoing Action: 100% Voting at TBS & CBI: Congregation Beth Israel and Temple Beth Shalom have both had successful phone banks to increase turnout in this July 14 runoff, and are continuing that effort through to November. As we get closer to the November election, Reform Jews will participate in widespread voter engagement efforts. Temple Beth Shalom Contact: Sandy Dochen | smdochen@gmail.com Congregation Beth Israel Contacts: Mindy Lee | mindyem@gmail.com Liz Mitlak | mitlakej@gmail.com
Work So Far: The RAC officially launched theEvery Voice, Every Vote: the Reform Movement’s 2020 Civic Engagement Campaign on May 7. Throughout the year, Reform Jews like us fight injustice by talking directly to our nation’s leaders. Our goal is not the success of one party, but the empowerment of our own community and ensuring that public policies reflect our Jewish values.
Now You Can Text to Get Your Voter Registration Form New voter? Or just need to update your address? Registering to vote is easy--just complete a one-page form. Now it's even easier with Text2Register. Simply text the word "register" to 48683 and get a link to a voter registration form. Learn more about your options for registering and also requesting a mail-in ballot, including deadlines.
CBI Social Action Committee
Upcoming Actions:
Congregation Beth Israel Social Action Committee is thrilled to have our Chavruaction Circle pilot program. The circles will continue after High Holy Days as we develop a plan to expand the opportunity to explore anti-racism topics together and create a long-term initiative to build an anti-racist culture in our CBI and our local community.
We are excited that the Social Action Committee is hosting a new kind community engagement program--CBI Seudah Shlishit: Shabbat Shuvah Edition (Saturday, Sept. 26 at 4:30 p.m.). This program will provide us with an opportunity to come together for conversation, community and connection with a special focus on current events.
Texas Civil Rights Project Election Protection Coalition TCRP's Election Protection Coalition, of which Temple Beth Shalom and Congregation Beth Israel are both a part, plays an integral role in ensuring that our elections in Texas are free and fair. And as Jews, we know the consequences of democracy's decline. So let's make sure it survives. Here are some ways to do that:
Jewish tradition is filled with commandments to help the poorest among us: feed the hungry, clothe the naked, care for the widow and orphan. When we organize to place working class voices at the center of how our community morally responds to poverty, we not only improve the advocacy we undertake, but fundamentally empower those who the Torah compels us to uplift.
Advocates for Social Justice Reform (Equal Justice Initiative)
Contact: Bob Batlan | bobbatlan1@gmail.com Email Bob for a Zoom invitation and/or to join our mailing list. Ongoing Work: We start by meeting one on one with government officials, community leaders, a diverse group of fellow advocates, and people impacted by the legal justice system. We learn about strengths and weaknesses of current approaches. We focus on developing positive relationships with all so they will work with us to make improvements to complex problems. Our approach has been successful, and we are considered a key voice for positive change.rea
Current areas of focus:
• Assure successful startup of the Travis County Public Defender Office • Improve quality and accountability of indigent defense • Obtain a grant in support of legal representation at first court appearance • Improve how accused are treated pretrial • Partner to implement Participatory Defense
Recent Meetings: • Betty Blackwell – President of the Board of Capital Area Public Defender Service • Roger Jefferies – Travis County Justice and Public Safety Executive Upcoming Meetings: • Jose Garza – Candidate for Travis County District Attorney • Adeola Ogunkeyede – Travis County Chief Public Defender
"Justice, justice, you shall pursue." A just system of laws is ingrained from Leviticus through King David through every contradicting comment in the Talmud. Even an eye for an eye is blind to whose eye is taken, so we organize for a criminal justice system that is truly fair and impartial.
Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS) & Refugee Services of Texas
Check with Russ and Cathy for update on the TBS Refugee Task Force, Austin Sanctuary Network, and Refugee activities at CBI. They work closely with Ahmed Abbas, the Asylum Caseworker at RST. It takes a village. Our joint program to assist asylum-seeking families in Austin has been successful beyond our expectations! We have assisted the Austin Sanctuary Network in food purchase and distribution. We have assisted Refugee Services of Texas (RST) with tablets to access ESL services, and we have raised funds for critical rent assistance that has helped to cover all 25 families for July and August.
However, these families are nearing the end of their 90 day case management services with RST and all are applying for rent assistance through city of Austin programs. But, this program will be distributed on a lottery basis and we fear many families may not be selected.
As a result, we are re-doubling our efforts now to raise emergency rent and food assistance funds through our ongoing joint effort to contribute to the Temple Beth Shalom Refugee Fund.
Please help us welcome the stranger during this critical and important season and give what you can to this fund. Every contribution helps! And, thank you!
Interested in Online Volunteer Orientation and Training? Contact Lynn Burdick, RST Volunteer Coordinator. She will get you set up on the RST Volunteer Hub.
Upcoming Action: Volunteers are needed to either deliver groceries every Monday or purchase groceries for a family each week. Please contact cathybquilter@gmail.com (512-217-9613) or Lorri Haden, Coordinator of Food Distributionlorrih@hotmail.com.
Work So Far: protecting Hilda Ramirez and her son Iván, who are Guatemalan asylum seekers, from ICE detention and deportation to certain danger, for 4 years
“The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as one of your citizens; you shall love them as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” So we show our love and solidarity with Hilda and Iván whenever we can.
And if there's anything you're involved in that's not on this list, let me know, and it will be! Here's the blurb format:
Committee or Nonprofit Name Upcoming Event/Action: When: Where: Contact: (name, email, phone # optional) Work so far:
Stay home and safe, Jason
Temple Beth Shalom 7300 Hart Lane Austin, TX 78731
