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November Tzedek Newsletter

November 2021

Dear Social Justice Friends,

With the coming of November our thoughts turn to Thanksgiving and an “early” Chanukah. I personally am thankful for a renewed sense of hopefulness and for all the exciting announcements in this Newsletter. So many wonderful leaders of our Congregations are working towards equal rights and justice for all, in so many different ways.

I know there will be several opportunities to help our neighbors throughout the holiday season so I am hoping to “publish” a special edition of our newsletter to keep you informed. There is one announcement at the end of the Newsletter on how we can all help our neighbors have a Thanksgiving meal.
With best wishes for a safe and enjoyable November,

Marion Pollock
Tzedek Newsletter Editor

Immigration News

TSARP Update (Temple Shalom Afghan Resettlement Project)
TSARP (Temple Shalom Afghan Resettlement Project) is making good progress towards the assignment and arrival of a Temple Shalom sponsored Afghan family. Thanks to generous support from TS members and community partners from several churches, the funds raised so far have allowed us to move forward on the housing front and we are close to identifying an apartment. Once an apartment is identified a family will soon be assigned. Meanwhile, work on assembling household items and furniture is ongoing; clothing and food efforts will begin soon, and we’ll start to mobilize those who’ve signed up for direct work with the family. Please reach out to tsarp4849@gmail.com if you want to volunteer and haven’t signed up yet; donations are still needed at https://www.templeshalom.org/donate (choose Afghan Resettlement from the dropdown.)

Hias (Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) Actions
HIAS has been helping refugees and other immigrants for well over 100 years.
You may be interested in this action encouraging the administration to permanently end the Remain in Mexico program. Click here to sign their petition.

Freedge Update
Thanks to Jane Hirschhorn for her continued role as administrative Co-Chair of the Freedge initiate. She has been joined by David Ryter as a co-team captain. Our thanks go out to these two leaders who keep Temple Slalom’s involvement in this community project organized and efficient. We are looking for a new Co-Chiar, this role can be done from home and expert training is provided. Please contact Rabbi Abrasley if you are interested labrasley@templeshalom.org

Voting Rights
We have been working with JALSA (Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action) on a postcarding campaign to reach out to new voters in Florida. Our Temple Shalom team sent almost 700 postcards to Florida in October. There will be an upcoming campaign in Pennsylvania this month and we'd love to have more people participate. Please contact Arlene Pressman ar.pressman@gmail.com if you are interested.

Reproductive Freedom
On October 21, the Sisterhood and Tzedek Team co-sponsored a wonderful program about Jewish Tradition and Reproductive Rights. We learned that there is MUCH to be done to protect reproductive freedom. If you missed this outstanding discussion (or if you'd just like to hear it again) here is the link to the recording.

On October 27, the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) formally launched a campaign, 73Forward , to increase on the ground access to abortion care for anyone who needs it. Check out the website to see what actions YOU can take now to advocate for policies which increase abortion access.

Racial Justice
On November 2, join us for the Rothman Scholar Zoom discussion with Professor Cheryl Greenberg: African Americans/Jewish Americans.
Explore the history of the collaboration between African American and Jewish Americans in relation to the Civil Rights Movement and the tensions that arose. This talk will help to better understand the challenges of contemporary political action. Registration is on the Temple website.

Follow up to this event is being planned, with workshops, discussion groups and additional speakers, so stay tuned.

Exciting News
RAC-MA (Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism) will most likely "launch" in the months ahead. A steering committee of rabbis and lay leadership (of several Reform congregations in MA) have been working diligently to secure the funds to support this effort. A job description for a community organizer is being drafted and the national RAC office anticipates posting the job soon. Temple Shalom has been supporting this effort andwe are proud that Rabbi Abrasley is a member of the steering committee.

Last one of the year!

Thanksgiving Support for our Neighbors

October Tzedek Newsletter

October 2021

Dear Social Justice Friends,

We hope you and your family enjoyed a happy and meaningful holiday season. With the changing of the seasons comes more opportunities to become involved, learn more about and advocate for Social Justice for all citizens. We hope you will reach out to the contact individuals listed below if one of these opportunities is a good match for you.

All the Best,
Marion Pollock
Tzedek Newsletter Editor

TSARP (Temple Shalom Afghan Resettlement Project) Update from Margaret Brill, Mark Gottesman and Kurt Pressman

During September, Temple members responded quickly and generously to the messages about our Temple Shalom plan to sponsor an Afghan family being resettled in Massachusetts via the Human Parole program. Around 30 Afghan families are expected to arrive in Massachusetts during October. When we secure housing for a family, we will be able to get a family assigned to us. TSARP co-leader Mark Gottesman and other volunteers have been working hard to locate an apartment, and are starting to have some success despite the difficult market; meanwhile, Temple members made financial donations and volunteered to help on the many activities that we will need to do to prepare for and support our family when they arrive. Subcommittee leaders have stepped up and will be starting to contact volunteers soon. We are so grateful for this outpouring of support, and want to remind you to donate and volunteer if you haven’t had a chance yet. Also, please contact Mark if you know of an affordable 2 or 3 bedroom apartment.

We’d also like to highlight a few volunteer activities that still need significant help. First, welcoming and face to face volunteers – these are people who can devote a significant amount of time each week to helping the family directly (with agency support from Catholic Charities and Jewish Family Services). This is one of the most rewarding activities despite the time commitment. If you would love to do this but are concerned that you don’t have the time perhaps you could share a role with a friend. Second, we also need volunteers who can be available to help move donated furniture and other items from donors' homes to temporary storage locations and ultimately to the family's new apartment.
Able to help with either of these? Questions? Please email tsarp4948@gmail.com .

General Immigration Update

Many of us have looked with concern at the situation on the Texas border in the last weeks and wondered what we might be able to do to help. RAICES – Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services (raicestexas.org) is an organization that provides support and advocacy at the Texas border. Take Action – RAICES (raicestexas.org) provides a number of quick advocacy actions you can take. Although it doesn’t contain anything specific to Haitian deportees at this moment, please keep looking because it is likely to be updated when there is something to do.

Reproductive Justice

In early September the Supreme Court allowed Texas' near total ban on abortion to go into effect. And in December, the Court will hear another case that could further undermine the precedent of Roe v. Wade. In addition, the passage of the Women's Health Protection Act (WHPA) looks less likely as Senator Susan Collins of Maine has stated that she will not support it.

As Rabbi Berry said so powerfully on Yom Kippur, "Choosing life does not mean we can impose our own narrow understanding of the world onto others. Choosing life does not mean we can strike our fellow human being, or worse, hunt our fellow human being down. Choosing life is choosing to live by our highest aspirations: love and understanding, fairness and kindness; the values and ideals that are truly commanded by God."

The stakes of this moment could not be higher. On OCTOBER 27, the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) will have a virtual launch of a new campaign: 73Forward - a Jewish communal movement with the goal to increase on-the-ground access to abortion care for anyone who needs it. As we approach the official campaign launch event, you can join the movement today.
For more information contact Arlene Pressman arpressman@gmail.com.

Voting Rights

This summer was the first time the Reform Movement organized virtual lobby meetings on a nationwide scale, and it was truly inspiring to see so many Reform Jews come together for the Freedom to Vote. Over 5,000 individuals registered to take part in the Reform Movement’s lobby meetings with 47 senators and senate offices. The forces supporting the freedom to vote are equally balanced with the forces that want to limit voting. Collectively, we are helping to tip the scales toward the freedom to vote.

Please join the Reform Movement on October 6 at 8pm ET as we mark the transition from lobby meetings to the Reform Movement’s next freedom to vote action: phone banking days November 8-11.

The Postcard Project:

The Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action (JALSA) is also working to preserve voting rights, and they are currently organizing a postcarding campaign in Florida.

14,900 new voters have registered in Florida since the November 2020 elections. For this postcard campaign, JALSA volunteers will be sending postcards to these newly registered voters to welcome them to the democratic process and to encourage them to participate in their very first election on November 2, 2021

If you are interested in participating in this campaign please use the following links to register for one of two campaign informational sessions: JALSA Impact Partners Informational Sessions beginning - Thursday, September 30, 2021 - Thursday, October 28, 2021

Volunteers only duties will be to complete the postcards by filling in the messaging, the recipient's mailing address, putting on the provided stamp, and dropping your completed postcard bundle directly in the mail.The names, addresses, and message script will be provided by our partners at Faith In Florida.
Once completed, postcards must be received by the recipients on or by Monday, October 25, 2021
If you are interested in receiving a packet of postcards, please contact Arlene Pressman, who will be receiving the postcards directly from JALSA

Racial Equity Diversity Inclusion (REDI/DEI)

If you were unable to participate in the REDI trainings offered by the URJ over the summer, there will be two introductory opportunities coming up this month. These trainings are very valuable ,and excellent resource materials are provided. Unfortunately, the sessions are not recorded.
For more information contact Arlene Pressman

REDI 101
October 12, 20218-9:30 PM, ET
This session can be attended as a stand-alone training or can be attended in conjunction with the 3-part series noted below.
https://urj.org/calendar/jews-color-people-color-reform-movement-affinity-space-gathering-september-2021

REDI 101
October 15, 202112-1:30PM ET
This session can be attended as a stand-alone training or can be attended in conjunction with the 3-part series noted above.
https://urj.org/calendar/racial-equity-diversity-and-inclusion-redi-101

Legislative Priorities

Voting rights - Urge the Senate the Support the Freedom to Vote Act

The Freedom to Vote Act has been introduced in the Senate. This revised voting rights bill would establish national standards for federal elections that will create a transparent process that all Americans can trust. Tell your Senators to support the Freedom to Vote Act and make the promise of democracy real for us all.

Food Insecurity

Volunteer for the Temple Shalom Freedge Team

Join us as we support the Freedge once a week on Tuesdays. Volunteer tasks include monitoring, cleaning, shopping and re-stocking. The tasks are family-friendly and we welcome volunteers of all ages to participate.

Drivers to Deliver from Food Pantries to Families in September and October

Calling all volunteers to help deliver food from food pantries in Newton to families who are unable to access the pantries themselves. The list of families needing our help to access the pantries continues to grow, so we need additional drivers and backup drivers for all delivery days in September, October, and November. This activity takes about an hour to complete. The fall schedule is:

Every Wednesday afternoon from Newton Food Pantry, pick up food at assigned delivery times between 12 noon - 3pm. NOTE: Newton Food Pantry is moving to scheduled pickup times in September and will be asking drivers to go into the pantry to check in with an NFP volunteer and pick up the pre-bagged groceries.
The 3rd Friday of the month from the American Legion Nonantum Post 440 Mobile Food Bank, pick up food 9 - 9:15am (before pantry opens to the public).
The 3rd Saturday of the month from Centre Street Food Pantry, pick up food at assigned delivery times between 12 - 2pm.

September signups are here: https://volunteersignup.org/4CBKQ
October signups are here: https://volunteersignup.org/L73TL
November signups are here: https://volunteersignup.org/JLC4W

September Tzedek Newsletter

September 2021

Dear Friends,

This newsletter comes with best wishes for a Happy and Healthy New Year to you and your families. You will find information regarding our upcoming High Holiday Food Drive, the Freedge, efforts on how to help those in need as close as our Newton neighbors and those yearning for safe haven from Afghanistan. We also are providing educational and advocacy opportunities surrounding Racial Justice and Voting rights. We hope one of these opportunities will interest you and you will contact the Team Leader to learn more.

Best,

Marion Pollock
Tzedek Newsletter Editor

New Refugee Resettlement Project
You’ll remember the work TS congregants did 5 years ago to help in the resettlement of a Syrian refugee family, an initiative that those involved found very rewarding. The bad news is that the refugee crisis continues to worsen – the good news is that we expect to help with the JCRC/ Catholic Charities effort that is starting up to help new refugees, likely to be Afghani families brought here on special visas. This is a new initiative, still being defined, with JCRC and CC creating a comprehensive network welcoming Afghani refugees into our community, and supporting congregations of synagogues and churches in planning on the ground support coordination.

You can expect to hear more about this soon. Please feel free to contact the leaders of the TS Immigration Committee with any questions or comments. They are Margaret Brill and Kurt Pressman .

Food Insecurity

Temple Shalom High holiday Food Drive
We will be revising several aspects of our annual High Holiday Food Drive as the Newton Food Pantry is undergoing a reorganization. We will be collecting donations inside the temple from September 1 thru September 16 (Yom Kippur) and we will be strictly limiting our donation to the following items:

Toothpaste (no travel size tubes, please)
Shampoo (12oz – 16 oz)
Tuna (preferably white, 5 oz)
Wheat Crackers

You can drop off your donation inside the temple at anytime between September 1 and 16. We also will need some volunteers to help maintain our collection and to prepare our final donation on Friday, September 17. For more details, please contact Bruce Green.

Freedge Update
Thanks and gratitude to Jane Hisrchhorn and Barbara Gubb for assuming the role of coordinators of the Freedge Volunteers throughout the summer months. They are ready to pass the mantle of leadership along. Do you have strong communication skills and want to help mitigate the local effects of food insecurity? Temple Shalom is looking for two Team Captains to coordinate our weekly Freedge volunteer shifts from October-December. The Freedge is a 24/7 community refrigerator and pantry located in Nonantum. Team Captains send weekly email reminders (templates) to Temple volunteers. Our TS volunteers are wonderful to work with, as are our contacts at the Newton Food Pantry. Please reach out Jane Hirschhorn or Barbara Gubb for details.

Delivery Drivers from Food Pantries to Families in September and October
Calling all volunteers to help deliver food from food pantries in Newton to families who are unable to access the pantries themselves. We are currently recruiting for September and October drivers. The fall schedule is:

Every Wednesday afternoon from Newton Food Pantry, pick up food at assigned delivery times between 12 noon - 3pm. NOTE: Newton Food Pantry is moving to scheduled pickup times in September and will be asking drivers to go into the pantry to check in with an NFP volunteer and pick up the pre-bagged groceries.
The 3rd Friday of the month from the American Legion Nonantum Post 440 Mobile Food Bank, pick up food 9 - 9:15am (before pantry opens to the public).
The 3rd Saturday of the month from Centre Street Food Pantry, pick up food at assigned delivery times between 12 - 2pm.

September signups are here.
October signups are here.

Voting Rights

RAC
The Religious Action Committee of Reform Judaism (RAC) is continuing to organize around and advocate for the protection of voting rights and we are working to support the For the People Act (S1) and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. ( Learn details of these bills here .) In addition, here in Massachusetts we have an opportunity to support state legislation, the VOTES ACT, sponsored by our own State Senator, Cindy Creem. The VOTES ACT would make vote by mail permanent, expand early in-person voting options, implement same-day voter registration, expand access to the ballot for eligible incarcerated citizens, and more.

The Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action (JALSA) is a leader in this effort. If you are interested in joining JALSA's Voting Freedom campaign, please fill out this form.

Racial Justice

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI)
If there is sufficient interest, we may consider forming a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI) group at the Temple Shalom. Please let the Tzedek Team know of your interest. If you were unable to attend the Racial Equity and Diversity Programs (REDI/DEI) offered by the URJ this summer, please consider reviewing some of these materials and resources:
Commit to Long-Term Racial Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion
A Tool For White People Navigating Conversations About Race
URJ Racial Justice Resource List
URJ Colorblind Mentality Resource

Tzedek Team to contact: Arlene Pressman or Elizabeth Connolly

Racial Justice Book and Study Groups
The Racial Justice Book and Study Groups are ongoing. If you are interested in participating, please contact Betty Morningstar.

RAC-MA (Religious Action Committee of Reform Judaism, MA chapter)
As we mentioned in the August Tzededk newsletter, we are excited to launch RAC-MA this year as the ninth RAC state organization, and we think you'll be very interested in reviewing the video of the " Introduction to RAC-MA " Zoom which was held last week.

We will be sharing more information about RAC-MA and upcoming opportunities to become involved after the holidays, and in the meantime you are invited to become more engaged by filling out this commitment form from RAC-MA.

UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS FALL 2021

If COVID restrictions permit, the Tzedek team is planning a couple of field trips for small groups. We'd like to visit the Edward W. Brooke Courthouse to see "The Long Road to Justice" exhibit and learn about the history of the African American Experience in Massachusetts.

We would also like to visit the Newton Historical Society and learn more about the history of African Americans in Newton.

August Tzedek Newsletter

August 2021

Dear Social Justice Friends,

We hope you are enjoying a fun, healthy and safe summer season. Elizabeth Connolly and Arlene Pressman are now at the helm as Co-Chairs of the Tzedek Committee and we are grateful!

This newsletter includes information about educational programs, as well as advocacy and action opportunities for you to engage in. Enjoy the lovely days of August!

Marion Pollock
Tzedek Newsletter Editor

Gun Violence Prevention

Announcing the Newton Gun Violence Prevention Collaborative
The Newton Gun Violence Prevention Collaborative (formerly Stop Gun Stores in Newton) formed out of concern about a gun store opening in Newton. NGVPC successfully advocated for the passage of effective zoning to make Newton one of the most restrictive cities in the nation for gun stores. Moving forward, NGVPC aims to harness the voices of Newton residents to advocate for common sense local and state level policies that are aligned with state and national gun violence prevention strategies and legislative priorities.
Website: www.newtongunviolenceprevention.org.
Contact: info@newtongunviolenceprevention.org

Massachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence Quarterly Meeting, August 3, 7:00 on Zoom
Learn about the legislative process and improve your advocacy skills with training from Beach Bloc , get updates on ghost guns, and learn about the Coalition's advocacy on the American Rescue Plan funding for violence prevention. Register here .

Learn about Ghost Guns and submit a comment to the ATF here .
Watch a short video about ghost guns (DIY, homemade guns that are not subject to federal gun regulations) and submit a comment to encourage the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to support a proposed rule that will help stop the spread of these dangerous weapons.

Learn more about Extreme Risk Protection Orders here .
Extreme Risk Protection Orders allow family and other household members to petition the court to temporarily remove firearms from an individual who has demonstrated a risk of harm to themselves or others. This website, launched by the Massachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence and Stop Handgun Violence provides in-depth information about what an ERPO is and how to file one.

Racial Justice

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)
There is still time to register for the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Community Training Series on August 4, August 11, and August 18. This series will teach us how to create a DEI Working Group, so that we can establish action plans towards creating an inclusive community for individuals and families from a wide range of backgrounds

Mosaic Visions
Mosaic Visions , a group founded by Jews of Color, is launching a three-part civil rights conversation from a unique perspective which is designed to teach our community how to show up as a faithful ally. https://urj.org/calendar/mosaic-visions-presents-i-pray-my-feet-part-1-movement-and-freedom-summer-1960-1964?utm_source=RACWeekly&utm_medium=email&utm_content=2021_7_29

Voting Rights
The Religious Action Committee for Reform Judaism (RAC) is continuing to organize around and advocate for the protection of voting rights and we are working to support the For the People Act (S1) and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. ( Learn details of these bills here .)

On July 27, we had a very successful virtual visit with the staff of Senator Markey, at which leaders of the RAC spoke. We are proud to say that of the 91 people on the call 13 were members of Temple Shalom! There will be another virtual meeting with the staff of Senator Elizabeth Warren on Friday August 6 at 1:30PM. Simply by being present on the call, you will send a message that this issue is important to us and critical to our country’s future. Both Senator Warren and Senator Markey have said they support these laws, but we need them to make sure that this is at the top of their agenda and to thank them for continuing to make these bills a priority. To register for our meeting with Senator Warren’s office on 8/6 at 1:30 pm, please click here.

RAC-MASSACHUSETTS
While several states have RAC affiliates which work to mobilize and engage the Reform communities in their states, Massachusetts has not been among them. There is a campaign to make RAC-MA one of these states, and you are invited to an informational meeting on launching RAC-MA on 8/19 at 7:30 pm. To register please click here.

Immigration Rights
The Work and Family Mobility Act is before the MA legislature this legislative session. As described in the Action Network website, this
“legislation would enable all qualified Massachusetts residents, regardless of immigration status, to apply for a standard license or identification card, while keeping our Commonwealth in full compliance with REAL ID requirements.” Legislation like this has had positive impacts in other states, and we can help get it through in Massachusetts. Click on the link below to read more about the legislation and to generate an email to your representatives in the MA House and Senate – it only takes a minute! Email Your State Representative and Senator Now to Co-Sponsor the Work and Family Mobility Act! - Action Network

Food Insecurity

JF&CS Family Table
Family Table (the food pantry at Jewish Family & Children's Service) needs people to volunteer on-site and to help deliver food to people who need it. Families are welcome to volunteer together! Click here for more information. Also, now that the temple is open again, please remember to bring whole grain crackers and tuna (low or no sodium when possible) when you come to the building.

The Newton Community Freedge is busy with volunteers and clients. With the first days of August approaching, we still have available spots open for volunteers. Please consider taking a shift if you are in town. You can find the sign up list here .

Planning for the High Holiday Food Drive is in the works, please stay tuned.

Donation and Service Projects

Do you have children's books to donate? Service Stars campers will be collecting books in August to set up a children's library in Ghana through the African Library Project! We need to collect 1,000 books that are preschool-middle school level! This project has been generously sponsored by Newton Community Pride .

Lego Recycling-Service Stars will be collecting and recycling Legos. You can drop your Legos off at our collection boxes at Henry Bears Park in Newtonville, Learning Express in Newton Centre, and Just Next Door in Auburdale.

Rotary Club Clothing Collection
Have clothes that don't fit? Too ratty to wear? Just not "you" anymore? Don't throw them away - recycle them! Textiles like comforters, blankets, sheets, towels, are also welcome. Even old shoes, handbags, and stuffed toys. You'll keep them out of the waste stream AND help raise money for the Rotary Club of Newton's Scholarships! All clothing and textiles in any condition are welcome, but please be sure they're clean. Saturday, August 7th,8:00am–Noon The Shops at Chestnut Hill(formerly the Chestnut Hill Mall) Back Parking Lot - Enter by the Hammond Pond Entrance Rain or shine! Can't come on the 7th? You'll have one last chance on September 11th so save up your stuff! Questions? Email RotaryNewtonMa@gmail.com .

UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS FALL 2021

If COVID restrictions permit, the Tzedek team is planning a couple of field trips for small groups. We'd like to visit the Edward W. Brooke Courthouse to see "The Long Road to Justice" exhibit and learn about the history of the African American Experience in Massachusetts.

We would also like to visit the Newton Historical Society and learn more about the history of African Americans in Newton.

July Tzedek Newsletter

July 2021

Dear Social Justice Friends,

Happy Summer! What a difference a year makes. We hope you enjoy your family and friends and stay happy and healthy. Please see below a list of educational, advocacy and action opportunities for the upcoming months.

All the Best,
The Tzedek Team

The Religious Action Center (RAC) is continuing the Racial Justice Campaign with numerous programs to inform, educate and encourage advocacy.

The upcoming training in the Freedom to Vote series on July 14 will help us learn how to organize around this increasingly important issue.

There will also be a 4-Part Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Community Training Series on July 28, August 4, August 11, and August 18. This series will teach us how to create a DEI Working Group, so that we can establish action plans towards creating an inclusive community for individuals and families from a wide range of backgrounds.

The URJ recently sponsored a wonderful series about Reparations which may be viewed on YouTube.

There is also a wonderful blog post about Reparations from the URJ.

And stay tuned as there is ongoing work to encourage legislators to support H.R. 40, which supports the study and development of reparations for slavery and systemic racism. If you are interested in learning more about the RAC’s Racial Justice Campain please contact Arlene Pressman arpressman@gmail.com .

Newton Community Freedge
Our thanks and gratitude go out to Wendy Case and Barbara Fierman as they pass the torch of leadership and organization of Temple Shalom’s Freedge Volunteers to Barbara Gubb and Jane Hirschhorn who will be taking over as Co-Team Captains. Thank you Barbara and Jane! Please consider signing up for a volunteer shift on a Tuesday throughout the summer. Sign up here

Immigration Update Follow-up
On June 15 we were lucky to have a wonderful Immigration Update by Elizabeth Leff, of the Religious Action Center (RAC), during Elizabeth’s last week at the RAC. Elizabeth helped us better understand definitions and current legislative efforts and provided us with a list of actions we can take. Her presentation is available on the Temple website

Please contact Margaret Brill ( mwbrill47@aol.com ) or Elizabeth Connolly ( econnolly@srsmedical.com ) if you are interested in getting more involved in actions in this area.

Bike drive July 10 sponsored by Newton Neighbors Helping Neighbors
We are collecting new or gently used bikes for kids in need, for distribution through one of our partners in Waltham. We are also collecting funds to purchase bike helmets and bike locks for these kids. Please check here for a list of requested bike sizes along with ages and genders of the kids. If you have a bike to donate that matches the need, please sign up for that item, as well as for a drop-off time slot.
Drop-off location:
44 Hansen Road, Waltham, MA 02451. Newton Neighbors will be there Saturday, July 10, 3pm – 6pm. If you would like to donate a bike but cannot make the drop-off date, please contact us at NewtonNeighborsHelping@gmail.com.

These bikes are going directly to children, so we can only accept bikes that are ready to go or will be ready with a minor tuneup. Don’t have a bike to pass on but still want to help? Help buy a helmet or lock by making a donation here through our fiscal sponsor, Newton Community Pride. A child’s bike helmet costs $25 on average and a bike lock costs $15, but we will gratefully accept donations of any amount! After purchasing the items, any excess funds will be donated to Bikes Not Bombs (https://bikesnotbombs.org/).

T-shirt drive through Friday July 2
NNHN is excited to partner with Cradles to Crayons o donate clean t-shirts to the many children and teens needing them this summer. We are collecting new or gently used t-shirts for children from infant sizes through adult size medium. Used t-shirts must be washed and placed in bags labelled with the size. Please donate only clean and good-quality items.
WE ARE ONLY ACCEPTING T-SHIRTS at this time! Thank you for your generosity. Three Newton drop-off locations:
•   137 Annawan Road, Waban
•   39 Walsh Road, Oak Hill
•   33 Hamlin Road, near City Hall off Comm Ave.

Food Pantry Home Deliveries
Additional Drivers needed in July and August for contactless grocery delivery from local food pantries to families who can’t get to a pantry themselves. We need a few extra drivers and backup drivers on Wednesdays and one Friday and Saturday per month to ensure that we can continue to support these families without interruption through the summer months. Please sign up here .

From Green Newton
The Rotary Club of Newton is joining with the textile recycling company HELPSY, the City of Newton, and Green Newton to host monthly clothing/textile drives from June through September. These clothing drive events will help the environment by reducing the amount of clothes and textile waste going to landfills and incinerators. The first clothing drive will be held on Saturday, July 10 from 8am-12pm, in the back parking lot of The Shops at Chestnut Hill near the Hammond Pond Parkway entrance. The other Saturday morning clothing drives will be held from 8am-12pm on August 7, and September 11.

June Tzedek Newsletter

June 2021

Dear Social Justice Friends,

Happy Summer! How wonderful to meet with friends and family and to begin to join together at Temple Shalom as we look towards a brighter future for all. As we plan events for the Fall we certainly hope we can gather together to advocate, learn and take action.

This will be the last newsletter written while Carol Berlin is officially the Co-Chair and main force behind the Tzedek Team. Carol will be moving on to an even greater leadership role at Temple Shalom. Without Carol’s guidance, motivation and initiative our Tzedek Team would not have been able to accomplish all that it has in the past several years. We know that Carol will always be a force for Social Justice within Temple Shalom, our greater Newton Community and beyond but please join me in thanking her for all she has done to advance the causes we care so deeply about.

Below please find information regarding action, as well as opportunities for advocacy and learning.

Best wishes,
Marion

Let me add that it has been a joy and honor to work with both Rabbi Laura Abrasley and Marion as we developed the Tzedek Team. I am delighted that they will continue to provide guidance. This has been work I have loved, and it couldn’t have happened without the efforts of our community, and the leaders within. I am delighted that what we started will continue to flourish. The opportunities below represent the strength of our leaders.

Best wishes,
Carol

UPCOMING IMMIGRATION EVENT

Advocating for Immigration Justice: A Discussion of Current Immigration, Asylum, and Refugee Issues with the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism
Tuesday, June 15 from 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM on Zoom

Today, we face enormous challenges posed by our nation's broken immigration system. Over 11 million undocumented immigrants live in the shadows of our communities across North America. Elizabeth Leff from the Religious Action Center will join us to provide an update on the current issues related to immigration, asylum, and refugees. The conversation will cover topics such as the progress of DACA and the DREAM act, a review of immigration-related legislation, and suggestions for how we can help advocate for immigration justice in our community and nationwide. This event is sponsored by the Tzedek/Social Justice Committee. Register here to receive the Zoom link!

FOOD INSECURITY ACTIONS

Freedge Volunteers Needed!
Sadly hunger doesn't take a vacation for our neighbors. Support Newton's much used Freedge over the summer by volunteering for a shift in July and August. For questions, visit our Freedge web page or contact Barbara Fierman at barbara.fierman@gmail.com or Wendy Case at wbcase@aol.com.

Food Pantry Delivery Drivers
Newton Neighbors is looking for additional drivers for contactless grocery delivery from local food pantries to families who can’t get there themselves. We need a few extra drivers and backup drivers to ensure that we can continue to support families without interruption through the summer months. Please sign up here.

Kids Club Bags
Here’s a fun and meaningful activity that you can do with your kids. Every week, Centre Street Food Pantry provides families with children with extra bags of food, filled with snacks the kiddos love. Currently, the pantry is running low on these Kids Club bags and could really use your help. It’s easy—just grab a brown handled grocery bag and fill with the requested items: For more information, go to https://www.centrestfoodpantry.org/food-drive-lists

Freedom to Vote
Voting rights continue to be threatened in many states, and these legislative efforts are gaining momentum. Please have a look at how the Reform Movement is organizing for the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and the For the People Act:
https://rac.org/issues/racial-justice/racial-justice-campaign/freedom-vote

The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (RAC) is also offering some upcoming training sessions to help us advocate for voting rights. Learn more here.

GUN SAFETY

On June 2, the Newton City Council enacted one of the country's most restrictive zoning ordinances to regulate gun stores, effectively stopping Newton Firearms from opening at 709 Washington Street and putting in place protections for our city moving forward. This zoning ordinance was crafted to be legally justifiable and is supported by the City's Law Department and the Giffords' Law Center, arguably the nation's force in fighting the gun lobby. It has the largest possible buffer zones around sensitive areas, such as schools, parks, playgrounds, and houses of worship, and has multiple layers of protection to prevent a store from opening. This includes a special permit process that requires councilors to weigh whether the public's health and safety is impacted by the store's locations. It sends a clear message that Newton is inhospitable for firearms dealers, and is the best approach to stopping gun stores in Newton at this time.

A full ban will also be considered by the City Council in the coming weeks. A ban is not supported by state or national gun violence prevention experts, Newton's Law Department, or the Giffords Law Center. Stop Gun Stores in Newton has also described why they are opposed to the ban here. In short, a ban tempts the gun lobby at a time when we have a Supreme Court looking for ways to strengthen the Second Amendment, and has the votes to do so. Should the ban be heard by this Supreme Court, it could lead to the expansion of gun rights, eroding decades of hard fought protections in communities that do not benefit from Massachusetts' strict gun laws.

With the ordinance in place, Newton can look for ways we can move forward the gun violence prevention movement in Massachusetts and in the country, in turn making us all safer. We encourage people who feel energized by what's happened here to become involved in state or national gun violence prevention organizations that are making change through strategic, organized action. The Massachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence, Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, and The Giffords Campaign are some good places to start.
Thank you to all of the advocates out there who wrote and called their city councilors and spoke out against gun stores in Newton. This was an amazing example of how citizens working together can accomplish meaningful change.

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