We hope you will jump in with us and advocate, learn, and act about the issues noted below. We welcome you to join our efforts.
Best wishes to all for a meaningful Passover and a Happy Spring, Marion Pollock Tzedek Newsletter Editor
Reproductive Justice Initiative
We are excited to launch the recently created Temple Shalom Reproductive Justice Initiative (RJI). It is a collaboration with the Temple Shalom Tzedek Team and the Sisterhood. Reproductive justice is the right to choose when and if to have a child as well as the right to raise a child in a safe and healthy environment. The RJI has three component parts: advocacy, education and direct service.
In partnership with JALSA (the Jewish Alliance of Law and Social Action), we will be alerting congregants to a variety of opportunities to speak up in support of reproductive justice. See Joy Elbaum’s accompanying piece about a current urgent opportunity.
JRI will have its kickoff educational program on Friday, May 12th, entitled Shining a Light on Reproductive Justice: An Issue for Us All. We are welcoming two dynamic speakers, Clalire Teylouni, Reproductive Equity Now’s Director of Government Affairs and Kristie Monast , Executive Director of HealthQ Sexual & Reproductive Health in Lawrence. They will speak on post-Roe issues both here in Massachusetts and nationally. The program is appropriate for teens as well as adults. It will be preceded by a dinner after Shabbat services. More details will follow about sign-up for the dinner and program on the Temple website and the weekly TS Connect.
The direct service component of the RJI will benefit HealthQ patients. Under the direction of JCRC (Jewish Community Relations Council), we will join other Massachusetts synagogues and Jewish organizations -Temple Beth Elohim, Temple Isaiah, Hevrah of the Berkshires, Hadassah among others-to collect, assemble and deliver post-abortion care packages to support and comfort HeathQ’s patients. Temple Shalom will be responsible for 150 care packages for September, October and November. We will share more details at the May 12th program as well as on the Temple website and the TS Connect.
JALSA has launched an Abortion Justice letter-writing campaign, to urge Walgreens to reverse its decision not to carry mifepristone in jurisdictions where abortion is still legal, but where politicians are advancing anti-choice measures. To be clear, Walgreens is refusing to provide access to this medication in advance of any changes to the state laws. Since 54% of abortions in the United States are done through medication rather than surgically, using medications like mifepristone, refusing to carry these medications in certain jurisdictions is a clear violation of abortion rights.
JALSA has provided a letter template addressed to Walgreens that you can personalize and then mail, to make sure the company’s leadership knows the public strongly disagrees with their decision. While it doesn’t take much time to write the letter, it can really make a difference – and the more letters that are sent, the greater the impact we can have.
Here is a link to the sample letter. This link includes some additional sample paragraphs you could use to help personalize the letter. The letter should be mailed to: Rosalind Brewer, CEO Walgreens Corporate Offices 200 Wilmot Road, Deerfield, IL, 60015
Food Insecurity Freedge Upate
Many thanks to Nate Powell who has been co-chairing the Temple Shalom Team that serves the Freedge every other Tuesday. Nate will be stepping down from this role on May 1st , He and Erin Borras are looking for his replacement. The responsibilities are easy to manage.
They Include: Responding to emails from team members- answering logistical question and responding to feedback. Doing what you can to ensure coverage for the shifts. Sending out reminder emails about shifts using templates. Responding to emails from Ephraim (the Volunteer Coordinator) and passing along information he provides to the team. Sending team member feedback to Ephraim. Virtually attending meetings with other captains and organizers of the Freedge (meetings are infrequent). Generally, the time commitment is an hour or less per week. Please contact Nate or Erin if you you are interested in learning more about the position, they would be happy to talk with you. (natepowell7100@outlook.com or eborras@templeshalom.org)
CLIMATE ACTION: Gas is the Past - No Future for Gas Petition Sign Here. Join Mothers Out Front as we combine forces with other climate justice organizations to get 10,000 signatures urging Governor Healey to Declare No Future for Gas! The environmental justice organization Springfield Climate Justice Coalition (SCJC) initiated this petition drive in hopes of stopping a pipeline expansion in their city. If you have 3 minutes: Sign the petition - No Future for Gas Petition If you have 10 minutes: Forward the information below to three others (friends, family, neighbors in MA!)
I’m reaching out because we have a BIG opportunity to make Massachusetts a real climate leader, but we’re going to need the help of everyone who’s concerned about climate change to make it happen. Here’s the deal: Right now, despite international scientists giving us a “final warning” to rapidly transition off fossil fuels, Massachusetts is STILL allowing the utility companies to expand the fossil gas system with new big pipelines and networks. We are in a climate emergency: we should be planning to get OFF fossil fuels, not expanding their use by running new infrastructure through towns like Springfield that are already overburdened by environmental and climate pollution because of environmental injustice. The good news is, it doesn’t have to be this way. Massachusetts has a leader who has called herself a “climate governor.” The Inflation Reduction Act, passed by President Biden, provides millions of dollars in rebates and grants to help people light, heat, and cool their homes and businesses more safely, comfortably, and efficiently. States across the northeast are making huge commitments to harness the best corridor for offshore wind in the world.
Massachusetts has the opportunity to become a true climate leader, but to do so, we need Governor Healey to declare a halt to new system expansion until we have a plan for a just transition to renewable energy. That’s where you come in! Mass Power Forward and the Springfield Climate Justice Coalition are collecting at least 10,000 signatures calling on the governor to make such a stand around Earth Day. If everyday people voice their concern, Governor Healey will become the climate hero our moment demands.
Will you add your name? Sign Here. If we work together, I know we can make Massachusetts the leader we want it to be and build a climate future we can all be proud of.
Spring Cleaning? A recent article in the Boston Globe listed many worthy non-profit organizations that accept new and used donations from baby toys, to toiletries, to home goods to clothing etc. The article mentions organizations that also match individuals and families to volunteer opportunities in the area. It is a terrific resource. Check it out!
