A Word From Social Justice Coordinator Jason Taper
It’s tomorrow. But really, did y’all need to be told that? As of the sending of this email, ~550K have voted in Travis County, more than in the 2016 election entirely. I’m immensely proud of y’all and all of Austin for using our rights to protect ourselves.
We can change our world. If voting changed nothing, why would politicians make it so hard to do? Instead of agonizing about it, let’s organize. Here’s everything you need to know about voting in Travis County:
Election Day is tomorrow from 7-7, and you can vote at any location in the county. This handy website tracks wait times so if one polling location has too long a line, go to another!
Now, it is too late to mail in your ballot safely. Drop it off at 5501 Airport Blvd!
All you need to vote is a driver's license (in-state or out-of-state) or passport. And your mask of course.
IF YOU HAVE ANY TROUBLE VOTING CALL 866-OUR-VOTE. This includes:
“Poll watchers” yelling without masks and intimidating voters
Anyone electioneering within a polling place
Extreme lines (though there may be less they can do about this)
WE WILL PROBABLY NOT KNOW WHO WON ON ELECTION NIGHT. Tell your friends that. Rebut the conspiracy theories, especially online ones, that suggest there’s something wrong if the person in the lead on 11/3 before every vote is counted is not the person who wins when ALL the votes are counted. “Election Night” is a TV news phenomenon, not a constitutional one. The law requires that all votes be counted, no matter how long it takes. Democracy is not instant gratification.
And by the way! There will probably be some shifting! Mail-in votes became partisan this year, and will come in later especially in states that can’t count mail ballots until polls close. If you see “this race is called” on election night in any state but Texas, don’t believe it. Texas races, because of the lamentable restrictions of mail-in voting, should be called on election night.
Since most of you have already voted, you can work to make sure we crush voter turnout even more! In order to make sure candidates who reflect our Jewish values are elected, we have to make sure everyone in our community votes. Everyone you know, you can turn out--because you are the most powerful messenger. Some, if not all, people need to be reminded to vote. And when you talk to your friends, they listen. You know what issues your people care about. You know how to reach them. And it is up to you to do that--because that could make the difference. Here’s what to say:
Here’s why I care
What day are you voting? When in the day?
How are you voting? By mail? Early?
Where are you voting?
How many people are you bringing with you?
At the end of the day, your relationships are the most powerful tool we have to make an impact on our democracy. Let’s use them to ensure a government that pursues justice as much as our community does. And after Tuesday, whoever wins, we will show up, advocate, and keep them accountable. L'shalom, Jason Taper, Social Justice Coordinator
Religious Action Center - TX Upcoming Events: Two Post-Election Webinars with the RAC and RAC-TX
On November 11, immediately following the RAC's national post-election gathering, we will convene as RAC-TX to launch our 2021 state legislative strategy, starting with a research process from now through the end of 2020.
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.
CBI Social Action Committee Please send us a voting selfie or hashtag your post with #CBIVotes! We want to see you flex your civic engagement!
Upcoming Actions:
Congregation Beth Israel Social Action Committee is thrilled to have completed 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.
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:
Work So Far: * Meeting with Texas Senator Judith Zaffirini and Travis County Commissioner Margaret Gomez about a potential Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone around the new Tesla Gigafactory to make investments in education, job training, and other community needs in Del Valle * Education about strategies highlighted in NY Times, Tamarack Institute (Canada), andCentral Iowa * Partnering with other Austin organizations (LifeWorks, Community First! Village, and Capital IDEA) to conduct house meetings to understand issues and identify leaders of families impacted by poverty.
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.
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 • Jose Garza – Candidate for Travis County District Attorney • Adeola Ogunkeyede – Travis County Chief Public Defender • Bradley Hargis - Executive Director Capital Area Private Defender Service • Public Defender Office Staff
"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.
We really could use either delivery helpers and/or grocery purchaser helpers for the food delivery each week. Please sign up at the RST Volunteer Hub. Ongoing Action: Online Volunteer Orientation and Training Contact Lynn Burdick, RST Volunteer Coordinator. She will get you set up on the RST Volunteer Hub.
iACT - Refugee Youth Mentors Needed IACT's iLEARN Refugee Youth Program is currently seeking new mentors for refugee teens. Mentors work with a high-school-aged refugee for the school year. Mentors are asked to virtually meet with their student every week to help with homework, answer questions, and help with transition into American culture.
If you are interested in becoming a mentor for refugee youth, please contact Refugee Youth Program Coordinator Maggie Wagner at: mwagner@interfaithtexas.org
Upcoming Action: Volunteers are needed to either deliver groceries every Monday or purchase groceries for a family each week. Please contact 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
