Dear Friends, The news this past week has been disheartening and overly distressing. I feel like I may be suffering from hope fatigue…but I need to shake that off and continue to take action about the issues that members of our Tzedek Committee feel so deeply about. Although many of the issues are overwhelming, others can be acted upon readily and locally. Members of our Congregation continue to work to ensure that our neighbors are comfortable, by donating to and staffing the Freedge, continuing to replenish our donations to Family Table and supporting a recent blanket drive. Reaching out and remembering that Kindness Matters is also a core value of our Tzedek Committee. Below is a list of ways we can tackle the bigger problems that keep many of us up at night as we worry about our state, nation and world. Please consider joining RAC-MA, the Reform Movement in Massachusetts that has an opportunity to join with others across lines of race, class and faith to make the Jewish vision of justice, wholeness and compassion a reality in our Commonwealth. With Best Wishes, Marion Pollock Tzedek Newsletter Editor
REFUGEE SHABBAT
Temple Shalom will join the worldwide observance of Refugee Shabbat this Shabbat (Friday Feb 3). This will be one of our popular Shabbat B’Yachad services with activities and content for all ages starting with a Tot Service and Family Pizza Dinner, a musical Kabbalat Shabbat, and adult dinner to follow. We are excited that we will welcome some of our Afghan friends sponsored by TSARP (Temple Shalom Afghan Resettlement Project) to the Service and dinner. You’ll be able to meet our friends and hear about their experiences in a Q and A session after the dinner. Don’t forget to sign up through the Temple Website.
Religious Action Center-MA INITIAL MEETINGS
RAC-MA was formed in 2022 as the newest state chapter of the Reform Movement’s Religious Action Center (RAC). Now you’re invited to join with RAC-MA in starting to choose its first social justice campaign. Be part of this journey together, as RAC-MA prepares for its first collective social justice campaign. An invitation from Lee Winkelman, RAC-MA Associate Director of Organizing:
We invite you to a virtual meeting of congregational social justice leaders in Massachusetts. This meeting will focus on the role of congregational social justice leaders in RAC-MA and the process for choosing RAC-MA’s first collective social justice campaign. It will also feature a mini-training on how to move the members of your congregation into action for social justice.
The meeting will take place twice, once on February 6 at 7pm and once on February 7 at noon . Please register now for whichever meeting is most convenient for you, using the link in the previous sentence. Looking ahead, we will begin the issue campaign selection process with the first meeting of the RAC-MA research team on February 22, 7:00-8:30 pm. Members of congregations will have a chance to weigh in on the best issue campaigns we identify in late April or May, and we hope to launch the new campaign in June.
Repro Havdalah February 18 | 7:00 p.m.
Join with Jewish communal organizations across the state as we end Repro Shabbat together with a special Repro Havdalah. Repro Shabbat takes place annually when we read Parshat Mishpatim containing the verses often used as a source for Judaism’s approach to reproductive justice. In community, we will close out Repro Shabbat and celebrate our commitment to religious freedom and abortion access. Register here:
REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE In this post-Roe period, we would like to engage Temple Shalom in two areas: advocating for MA legislation to ensure fair reproductive health care access and joining other congregations to create post-abortion care packages for local health clinics. Are you interested in working together with us? Please contact Wendy Case at wbcase@aol.com or Susan Goodman at susan.d.goodman@gmail.com . We are eager to hear from you!
Climate Justice
Mothers Out Front is a national organization that works for climate justice. As Governor Healey took office in January, the group got thousands of signatures on a letter that asked the Commonwealth to be a leader in creating a livable climate for all children. A group of mostly mothers and children went to the State House at the end of January to present the letter, which also included tracings of little hands. They had planned to meet just with top environmental officials, but happily also met with the Governor herself! If you’d like to get involved in Mothers Out Front you can attend a monthly Welcome Call. Sign Up Here
Green Newton Green Newton is dedicated to creating an environment in better balance with the natural world by making significant, measurable improvements in the way we use resources. They have a wonderful newsletter that includes tips to incorporate the tools you need to take climate action now into your everyday life. Check it out at www.greennewton.org and consider signing up for their tips of the week.
Clothing Drive As part of the “Love Local: Supporting Our Restaurants & Our Community” campaign this year the Charles River Dining Collaborative is organizing a clothing drive to give back while visiting your favorite local restaurants. Collections will benefit Circle of Hope, a Needham-based nonprofit that provides homeless children, women, and men in Boston and Metro West with clothing and necessities. Items needed: NEW sweatshirts, sweatpants, t-shirts and items to help get through cold winter months. Drop off at participating restaurant locations throughout all 4 communities throughout the month of Feb.
And don’t forget: Come join the Temple Shalom Tuesday Freedge Team!! If you are interested in helping out with shifts for the Freedge you can learn more here https://www.templeshalom.org/freedge.
Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. -Martin Luther King Jr.
Dear Friends,
Happy New Year to you and your families. Noted below are three important celebrations that honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King that will take place during the week ahead. Perhaps you will join in, and spend part of the holiday as a “day on” not, “a day off.”
I remember hearing Dr. King speak on the Boston Common as a child, standing with my mother and grandmother. Viewing of The Embrace will be a meaningful experience for me as I hope it will be for you.
With Best Wishes, Marion Pollock Tzedek Newsletter Editor
BE A PART OF THE UNVEILING OF THE EMBRACE – WELCOMING A NEW DAY IN BOSTON!
Central Reform Temple will lead a procession of interfaith communities, inviting Jewish communities and their partners and friends to gather at Central Reform Temple/Emmanuel Church to walk in procession with a Sefer Torah to join the main event on Boston Common.
The Embrace symbolizes the hug Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. shared with his wife, Coretta, after he won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 and celebrates their time in Boston when they met as students. The Embrace will be an important cultural symbol of equity and justice for Boston residents and all those who visit the city and region. It will serve as a permanent monument representing the Kings’ time and powerful presence in Boston, a time that helped shape their approach to an equitable society.
This moment in the City of Boston’s life is an important opportunity to rekindle the vital relationship between the Jewish Community and the African American Civil Rights community that Rabbi Heschel and Dr. and Mrs. King so valued and honored. WHEN: Friday, January 13th gather for procession at 12:00pm WHERE: leaving from 15 Newbury Street to the Boston Common WHY: To witness The Embrace monument installation at 1:00pm.
City of Newton 55th Annual Community Celebration of Martin Luther King Event information is available at newtonma.gov/MLK23 . This is a live event but registration is required in case of a health or weather emergency: bit.ly/NewtonMLK23 .
ISABELLE STEWART GARDNER MUSEUM DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY OF SERVICE MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2023 11 AM - 4 PM
Honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with stories, sign-making, conversation and music. Artists and thought leaders will share reflections on themes of justice, equity, art, and empowerment, and invite participation in activities throughout the day. For more information https://www.gardnermuseum.org/calendar/dr-martin-luther-king-jr-day-service
And don’t forget: Come join the Temple Shalom Tuesday Freedge Team!! If you are interested in helping out with shifts for the Freedge you can learn more here https://www.templeshalom.org/freedge.
"A candle is a small thing. But one candle can light another. And see how its own light increases, as a candle gives its flame to the other. You are such a light." —Moshe Davis
Dear Social Justice Friends,
Hopefully you enjoyed a Happy Thanksgiving, celebrating with family and friends. Our postcard team has been hard at work under the leadership of Susan Goodman and Wendy Case, sending 100’s of postcards to voters in Georgia to get out the vote for the all-important Run-Off Election. The Freedge Team, under the leadership of Erin Borras and Nate Powell continue to help stock the 24 hour Fridge and Pantry every other Tuesday. Many of the BMItzvah students are incorporating exciting Mitzvah projects in preparation for their big day. Temple Shalom is full of Mitzvah Makers and Tzedek Teachers. Please join us! Many opportunities to help our neighbors during the winter holidays are listed below.
Best wishes for a Happy Chanukah, may the lights shine bright in your home!
Marion Pollock Tzdek Newsletter Editor
JF&CS (Jewish Family & Children Services): Give a gift to a family in need this holiday season
After months of rising inflation, many parents will struggle to afford presents for their children as the holiday season approaches. The JF&CS Holiday Gift Card Drive brings joy to low-income families by empowering parents to pick out the gifts they know their children will love. With your support, JF&CS will provide gift cards for more than 500 children this year. Please click here for more information on how to donate.
Village Bank/Rotary Club Toy Drive Through December 12:
Help Newton families and kids have a happy holiday season! The Village Bank and Newton Rotary Club, in partnership with the Newton Department of Health & Human Services, are holding their holiday gift drive through December 12. Make a tax-deductible cash donation to the Rotary Club of Newton or drop off a new, unwrapped toy or gift card at any Village Bank location in Newton.
Bulk Food Delivery with Newton Neighbors Helping Neighbors:
NN’s bulk food delivery program is looking for short- and long-term volunteers to join us in delivering fresh produce from local food rescue organizations to MetroWest and South Area food pantries. Help bridge that last link in the distribution chain and provide good food to so many who need it. Commitments range from once in a while to once every 4-6 weeks, or even more. Please reach out to us at newtonneighborshelping@gmail.com to volunteer or find out more.
Welcome Home Urgent Needs for Household Items:
Newton’s home goods pantry is seeking donations for new and gently used household items. To donate, go towelcomehomemass.org.
The Very Best Way to Regift: Newton Food Pantry Gift Shop:
The Newton Food Pantry provides a small assortment of new or gently used items from which the pantry customers can shop for free for a gift for a loved one. We welcome giftware for children and adults such as, but not limited to, candles, jewelry, art kits, stuffed animals, games, toys, cookbooks, or anything else you would gift a friend. We often receive many items for women and children. Please keep those items coming while also considering fun items for older teens and adults, including men.
Please do not wrap the gifts however feel free to donate extra gift, bags, wrap, ribbons etc.
Please drop goodies at 20 Fairlee Terrace in Waban (Gray house on the cul-de-sac off Fairlee Road, off Woodward Street).. Please leave things in the bins by the garage now through the end of December. Any items remaining at the end of the holiday season will be donated to Cradles to Crayons, Welcome Home, or a local donation site.
Newton Community Freedge:
The Newton Community Freedge (free fridge) is always looking for volunteers to help keep the Freedge stocked for the community! This winter, we have many open spots. Please take a look at the sign up and register to help!
The Temple Shalom team is also looking for a co-captain to cover the months of December - March. This is a communication role with a fantastic partner to share the responsabilities! If you are interested, please reach out to Erin Borras at eborras@templeshalom.org.
“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” John F. Kennedy
Dear Social Justice Friends,
Nothing makes the passage of time so poignant as writing a monthly newsletter. It is hard for me to believe we are entering November and Thanksgiving will be upon us before we know it. We all are aware of the rising cost of food and the need at our local food pantries is greater than ever. During these times it is important for us to help when we can, but also keep our focus on other issues that need our advocacy and attention. The statistics regarding gun violence are staggering and our new immigrant family continues to benefit from our time and efforts.
During these challenging times, I am focusing on Thankfulness….
May you, your friends and family enjoy a season of gratitude and a wonderful Thanksgiving,
The TSARP team updated you last about the Ramish family who was just then moving into Hancock Village in South Brookline, along with our other Afghan friends. A lot has happened since then! Little Roy Ramish was born in June and is thriving! Little Hilla, now 4, is going to preschool, and Dad Ramish and Mom Khurshid both have part-time jobs. Khurshid’s English is better and better (thanks to tutoring from TSARP volunteers) and the whole family continues to acclimate to their new life here and get in the routine of life with 2 little ones. Some of you already had a chance to meet the family and others have not yet – now we have an opportunity where a number of people can get a chance to meet them and help out!
We’re working to help the family manage their household and budget, including the SNAP and WIC benefits they are receiving. An important part of this is establishing a regular shopping routine and learning how to feed the family healthily within their budget, something that’s especially important in this time of rising food prices. We’re looking for volunteers who can sign up to take Ramish or Khurshid shopping– to the nearby Stop and Shop, Target and/or Walmart (for the best diaper prices). Besides driving them and getting to know them, you would help teach them how to best use the WIC benefits (we can provide documentation to help.)
Please respond directly to econnolly@srsmedical.com if you would like to help out, and indicate what times are good for you (e.g. Saturday mornings, Wednesday afternoons, whatever). Based on volunteer availability and Ramish and Khurshid’s work schedules, we’ll set up a schedule for weekly shopping trips.
GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION:
Gun violence is now the leading cause of death for American children. The most important thing you can do right now to fight gun violence is to VOTE. Find candidates who are committed to implement better gun laws at www.gunsensevoter.org and vote accordingly. Then call your friends in other states and encourage them to do the same.
NEWS FROM CENTRE STREET FOOD PANTRY: Pre-Thanksgiving call out for volunteers! Can you help out on Centre Street? We are open Saturday November 5th AND Saturday November 19th. Both Saturdays need volunteers in 2 hour shifts between 10AM and 3PM. We are also often in need of help during the 4-6pm shift on Tuesdays. Other shifts are needed as well. To register/sign-up, head to our website. Please share with your friends, family and neighbors! All are welcome.
Help with Kids Club A Kids Club bag is packed with "kid-friendly" breakfast and lunch foods. Every bag has breakfast cereal, shelf stable milk, peanut butter, jam, cereal or granola bars, fruit cups, dried fruit and extras such as juice, pasta, mac and cheese, soups and tuna. In December we add hot cocoa and cookies as a treat. To find out how to participate, check out the Kids Club page.
NEWS FROM NEWTON NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS:
Food Pantry Drivers needed for November. Our signup sheet for November is now available for folks who can help deliver food to our neighbors unable to get to the food pantries on their own. It takes, on average, about an hour to complete deliveries. We especially need drivers on the following dates: Wednesday, 11/9 (Pickup times between 12:15 - 2:45) Friday, 11/18 (Pickup between 9:00 - 9:15) Wednesday, 11/23 (Pickup times between 12:15 - 2:45) Please sign-up using this link.
Thanksgiving Gift Card Drive Did you know that 1 in 10 neighbors struggles to feed their family? It's a heartbreaking fact and our goal is to help put food on neighbor's tables this Thanksgiving. Last year, thanks to your generosity, Newton Neighbors served 150 families throughout Newton, Brockton and Waltham with $50 supermarket Gift Cards! We are launching this much-valued program again and we hope you will help. Due to the rising food prices we are all seeing at markets this year, our goal is to distribute gift cards of $75 value to each family. Whatever we raise, Newton Neighbors will distribute the gift cards through partner agencies to families in Newton, Waltham, and Brockton to families in need this holiday. If you are able to make a donation to help us reach our goal, we know that these families would be so grateful. Here is the link to donate. .
We hope you enjoying a pleasant holiday season and you ushered in the New Year in good health. Writing this newsletter is a constant reminder to me how time passes so quickly and how much need there is in our city, country and world. We hope you will find an interest or passion to devote some time to in the year ahead.
All the best, Marion Pollock Tzedek Newsletter Editor
ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION
Newton Mother’s Out Front is an environmental advocacy organization that provides a number of educational programs in addition to their advocacy work. On October 6 they invite you to an early celebration of Indigenous Peoples Day with the online screening of Inhabitants, a documentary film that follows five Native American Tribes across deserts, coastlines, forests, and prairies as they restore their traditional land management practices. Please see Virtual Documentary Screening: Inhabitants - Mothers out Front
PROTECT ABORTION RIGHTS BY JOINING: Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action, the Reform Movement's Every Voice, Every Vote Campaign,Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America andthe Jewish Abortion Access Coalition
Our Jewish values affirm that abortion is health care, and that a pregnant person should be able to decide whether to continue or terminate a pregnancy. Abortion bans and restrictions are an affront to the human dignity Judaism cherishes, as well as a violation of our religious freedom, because they impede our ability to practice fully our faith’s teaching.
Yet, in our country right now, states are trying to severely limit this right, forcing pregnant people to continue pregnancies against their will, or travel to other states, or put their own lives in jeopardy waiting for their health to become endangered before being treated.
Join this Jewish community phone bank effort to protect abortion rights around the country! We first gather as Jewish community with people throughout the country at 5:45 PM (EST), and then enter the phone banks together at 6:00 PM (EST). Kentucky Phone Banking with the Protect Kentucky Access Wednesday, October 12 Wednesday, October 19 Wednesday, October 26 Wednesday, November 2
Michigan Phone Banking with Michigan Reproductive Freedom for All and Detroit Jews for Justice Tuesday, October 11 Tuesday, October 18 Tuesday, October 25 Tuesday, November 1
Help will be needed on October 6th from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM to unload the truck at the Food Pantry located at City Hall. Please contact bruce@ladygrace.com if you are able to help and to receive more information.
“I’d like to call back summertime and have her stay for just another month or so.” Joni Mitchell.
Perhaps you are feeling the same way I am as I write this the last day of August, however this newsletter comes with best wishes for a Happy and Healthy New Year for you, your family and friends. As we continue to emerge from the Covid lifestyles we have been living, we are very glad to report that the High Holiday Food Drive will resume as usual with several opportunities to help our neighbors. With the coming of Fall our thoughts turn to election season, and our new Postcarding Co-Chairs Susan Goodman and Wendy Case have an important opportunity for us. Our TSARP committee members have been hard at work to help our Afghan friends resettle and acclimate to life in the United States. Finally, join in the fun at Family Access for their first Community Literacy Day. All details are below!
Best wishes to all and Happy Fall!
Marion Pollock Tzedek Newsletter Editor
HIGH HOLIDAY FOOD DRIVE
The tradition continues! Temple Shalom will once again be collecting items for the Newton Food Pantry on Yom Kippor. Requested items include:
Help will be needed on October 8th to unload the truck at the Food Pantry located at City Hall. Please contact bruce@ladygrace.com if you are able to help and to receive more information.
TSARP (Temple Shalom Afghan Resettlement Project)
TSARP was created in August 2021 to allow Temple Shalom to sponsor an Afghan family evacuated to the US. There was a terrific response from Temple Shalom congregants, along with our friends at Sacred Heart/Our Ladies, Newton Highlands Congregational Church, and more recently the Dover Church and the Islamic Masumeen Center of New England. The response and what we were able to do as a result exceeded our hopes of a year ago! Volunteers prepared and furnished apartments and we were able to welcome four young Afghan Air Force veterans, as well as a family of four who joined us in the spring. We helped them acclimate and get jobs, get needed medical and dental care, and most recently even helped several of them get drivers’ licenses and a no-interest loan to purchase a car! Many of you met our four young men at Refugee Shabbat in March, and many of you volunteered to help with setup, shopping, medical appointments and other critical needs. The TSARP funds raised have been used primarily to pay the largest expenses such as rent, with our friends contributing more and more as they were able, and also to subsidize driving school, and other large expenses. We thank everyone who has been involved for their volunteer efforts and financial support.
The TSARP story so far has been a happy one of 8 people who left a desperate situation in Afghanistan and are now productive members of our New England community, The next stage in their journey is to seek asylum, which is the first step towards green card and citizenship status (and the only way they can become citizens.) Unfortunately, the refugee agencies are not able to provide the legal support needed for an asylum application, so we are now facing a large new expense – legal expenses for asylum filings for our friends. We are inviting you to contribute to TSARP to help with these expenses. You can contribute by going to Donate - Temple Shalom and choosing Afghan Resettlement Project. Thank you in advance for your help!
With the important mid-term elections quickly approaching, JALSA (Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action) is offering two postcarding campaigns to get out the vote in Georgia and North Carolina. Temple Shalom in partnership with JALSA is stepping up our efforts. We are requesting 300 postcards for each campaign. Postcards need to be in the mail by late October.
If you would like to participate in this important effort, please contact Susan Goodman, susan.d.goodman@gmail.com or Wendy Case, wbcase@aol.com for more details.
Below are descriptions of the campaigns:
The Georgia Strategic Alliance for New Directions and Unified Policies (Georgia STAND-UP) provides research, strategy, technical support, and resource development for grassroots community organizing and non-partisan voter education. Founded in 2005 as a labor/community partnership, STAND-UP has emerged as a champion of community empowerment and progressive advocacy across the South.
The New North Carolina Project’s mission is to make politics represent the needs of North Carolinians by investing in communities of color, expanding the engaged electorate and creating #VotersForever.
NEWTON COMMUNITY FREEDGE
We are happy to announce that we have teamed up with Temple Emanuel to share Tuesday Freedge responsabilites. We continue to support the Freedge every other Tuesday, our next day is September 13th. We welcome you to join the team of incredible volunteers. For more information, please check out our website or contact Temple Shalom Freedge Co-Captain, Nate Powell.
FAMILY ACCESS LITERACY DAY September 17th, 492 Waltham Street, West Newton
Event will include:
Ribbon cutting of our Little Free Libraries dedicated to our longtime supporters Audrey Cooper and Louise Hauser.
Reading with Children's Author Thomas G Sullivan
Community Book Swap
Live Music
Family Arts & Crafts
Admission is Free!
Interested in supporting Family Access’s on-going literacy efforts?
Donate gently loved books to Family ACCESS ~ 8:00 am - 6:00 pm ~Mon - Fri (children's & parenting books only please)
Hopefully you are enjoying a lovely, safe summer and staying cool! Things are a bit quiet but that does not mean that Temple Shalom Congregants are not hard at work making a difference regarding our important action issues. A group of dedicated volunteers continue to stock the Freedge, now moving to a bi-monthly schedule. Welcome to Nate Powell who will be co-chairing this effort with Erin Borras. Under the direction of our new post-carding co-chairs, Susan Goodman and Wendy Case, our postcarding team have been busy writing and addressing postcards to increase voting participation. Gardeners are tending the Temple Shalom Garden and sharing the harvest with Freedge shoppers. Members who have become involved in JALSA are taking action to protect abortion rights. Summer may be quiet, but the Temple Shalom Tzedek Committee is not!
Best wishes, Marion Pollock Tzedek Newsletter Editor
JASLA The Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action is devoted to engaging the community in promoting civil rights, protecting civil liberties and achieving social, economic, environmental, and racial justice. Want to get involved in JALSA? Receive action alerts?https://www.jalsa.org/take-action
RECYLING CLOTHING AND TEXTILES MADE EASY
Have you noticed the blue clothing/textile collection bins in front of some of our elementary schools? Newton Public Schools placed the bins to help make donating, reusing and recycling unwanted clothing, shoes, linens and textiles easy and convenient. We are being proactive because in three months, on Nov. 1, textiles in Massachusetts can no longer be disposed of in trash and in our blue bins.
Newton Public Schools (NPS) is partnering with Helpsy to collect whatever we can wear, sleep in, or dry ourselves off with. This includes anything made from wool, silk, linen, cotton, polyester, leather, vinyl, hemp and rayon. Find a full list of accepted items here. So far, bins have been located at 12 schools, and four to five more are in the works. Newton joins 110 other communities across Massachusetts that collect textiles at schools.
Newton DPW also works with Helpsy to offer on-demandcurbside pickup of textiles . (Click here to schedule a home pick-up.) We also have Helpsy, Salvation Army, and American Red Cross drop-off collection bins for textiles at our Resource Recovery Center at 115 Rumford Avenue. Find answers to frequently asked questions here.
AUGUST 1-18: SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE
Newton Neighbors is collaborating with the Street at Chestnut Hill and the Village Bank to collect school supplies for children in Newton and neighboring towns. Drop off your donations at any Village Bank location in Newton.Our goal is to collect school supplies for 200 children. Donations will be distributed in time for the first day of school. We would appreciate donations of:
good-quality new or gently used backpacks (backpacks for middle and high school students are the most needed). Please do not donate backpacks with monogrammed names or initials or company-specific logos.
good-quality new or gently used lunchboxes. Please do not donate lunchboxes with monogrammed names or initials or company-specific logos.
water bottles
new or used graphing calculators
notebooks (composition, spiral, and graphing)
pens and pencils
$25 gift cards to Star Market or Target for purchase of school supplies.
Like last month, I write this letter in the shadow of devastating news, this time the news comes from the Supreme Court. Although there was warning that this decision was coming, seeing the headlines of the Boston THE END OF ROE was jarring and for many of us unbelievable. Mary Ziegler writes in her editorial in the Globe, “The court has opened a new chapter in the history of the nation’s approach to fundamental rights, and no one knows where it will lead — or when it will stop. Just a few years ago, few would have predicted that the court would have reversed Roe so quickly — or in such a divisive way. Those who tell us not to be worried about other rights have been wrong before. Ask yourself whether you can believe them now.” So now we add Reproductive Rights to Gun Violence Protection Rights, to Fundamental Rights to fight for, like we have never fought before.
Marion Pollock Tzedek Newsletter Editor
REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS
In the light of the Supreme Court’s Roe overturn on Friday, we are all desperate to figure out what we can do to help protect reproductive rights and women’s rights. We came across several good lists with ideas.
The first is from former Globe Columnist Ty Burr: bit.ly/RoeWYCD
Finally, many of you will remember our talk earlier this year by Cheryl Hamlin, the ob/gyn physician who, since 2016, has traveled every month to Jackson MS to provide abortion care to women at the Jackson Women’s Health Organization. As she can no longer provide these services in MS, she will become licensed in New Mexico to continue this important work. There is a GoFundMe campaign to help those who need to travel from MS to obtain abortion care.
Temple Shalom is again partnering with the The Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action (JALSA) in their #LifeLongVoters Postcarding Campaign. This project was first spearheaded by congregant, Arlene Pressman leading up to the 2020 election. As we sadly bid Arlene good-by and good luck in her move to New York, we carry on her legacy during this critical time to protect and enhance our democracy. Thirteen Temple members are currently working on RAZE AZ, a voter registration campaign targeting rural communities in Arizona. They have volunteered to send out 400 postcards by the end of July. JALSA has informed us that there will be a steady flow of work leading up to the all-important midterm elections in November of this year. They are partnering with the New North Carolina Program (NNCP) whose mission is to make politics represent the needs of North Carolinians by investing in communities of color, expanding the engaged electorate, and creating lifetime voters. If you’re interested in joining our postcarding Team (recruiting men especially!), please contact Co-leaders:
Did you know a family can spend over $900 on diapers in the first year? Together we can alleviate this challenge for our Afghan friends and stock them with diapers to help welcome their new baby. Use thislink to have diapers and wipes shipped directly to them. If you would prefer to buy from a different source, please contact Sara at spollock4@gmail.com to arrange drop-off. Our goal is to provide 13 boxes of diapers for these first few months- we know that the Temple Shalom community can fill this list in no time! Please contribute today - thank you!
I write this in the shadow of two mass shootings in our country. I feel, like others, hopeless and helpless but I know there is work to do and we must move forward with ardor and energy to make change.
Arlene Pressman is one of those inspirational women who has motivated us to move forward and make change especially in the areas of reproductive rights and voting rights. Arlene has led us in postcard campaigns, protest demonstrations, informative gatherings and educational opportunities. She is the epitome of a change maker and now embarks on a significant change in her life as she and her husband Kurt, move to New York, and closer to family. Arlene’s commitment to Social Justice is uplifting. On behalf of our entire Tzedek Committee and Temple Shalom Congregation we extend thanks to her and best wishes. We are confident that she will become a leader in her new Congregation, and they don’t know how lucky and blessed they are.
Best wishes for good health and the beginning of a lovely summer,
Marion Pollock Newsletter Editor
GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION
Laura Towvim is a cherished member of our congregation and is an active volunteer with Moms Demand Action and Co-founder of the Newton Gun Violence Prevention Collaborative The following information and thoughts come from Laura.
In the wake of two additional high profile mass shootings in Buffalo and Uvalde, many people are asking what we can do, how we can channel our heartbreak and outrage into something productive.This article expresses my thoughts, especially on the importance of finding what resonates with you and doing that work.
Even here in Massachusetts, gun laws can be strengthened, and those lawmakers who you agree with still need to hear from you in support of their actions. Believe me, they are hearing from the other side. In addition, many national groups organize phone banks and text campaigns to get out the vote in other states.
Below are some ideas to get you started. Choose what works best for you.
VOTE! Make sure your voter registration is up to date. Remind your friends and family to vote. Commit to phone banking or canvassing. Work on election day.
IMMIGRATION NEWS
Massachusetts Immigration News The Massachusetts legislature has just passed the Work and Family Mobility Act, which allows residents of the Commonwealth to apply for driver's licenses regardless of immigration status. However, Governor Baker has vetoed the bill. Use this link to ask your state legislators to overturn the governor's veto.
Ways to Help our Afghan Friends (Cars and Babies!) TAX DEDUCTION OPPORTUNITY: We are seeking a car donation for our Afghan friends who continue to settle into their lives here. Several have begun to get their driver’s licenses and having a car to share will help them with commuting and other daily needs. If you have an older car that is in good mechanical condition, and you would be willing to donate it, please contact Dan Kaplan at dkaplan01@icloud.com or 617-999-0580. BY DONATING THE CAR TO TEMPLE SHALOM, YOU MOST LIKELY CAN TAKE A TAX DONATION FOR THE VALUE OF THE CAR. TEMPLE SHALOM WILL THEN GIFT THE CAR TO OUR FRIENDS.
We are still looking for children's items for a local Afghan family expecting a new baby in the next few weeks. Items needed include: Infant/Toddler/Preschooler books and toys Girls/gender neutral clothes sizes 4-5 Boys/gender neutral clothes sizes 0-6 months Newborn/size 1 diapers Women's clothes size 2-4 Please contact Sara at spollock4@gmail.com to arrange drop-off.
LAUNCH OF RAC-MA
We are honored that Temple Shalom has been selected as the site to host the statewide launch of RAC-MA on June 12. We expect to have a good turnout from all over the state, and naturally we would love for our congregation to have a VERY strong showing of support.
FOOD INSECURITY
Community Peah Garden: Do you love gardening? Are you passionate about food justice, especially feeding people who need a little extra? We are looking for volunteers who want to help with the weekly maintenance and harvest of the Temple Shalom Peah Garden (located in the Myrtle Street yard). Issac, our farmer from Green City Growers, joins us every Wednesday from 2:15 to 3:15. All produce is donated to the Newton Community Freedge. Please contact Rabbi Abrasley if you are interested labrasley@templeshalom.org
One week ago, the RAC launched the Reform Movement’s 2022 Every Voice, Every Vote Campaign! Hundreds of people responded to the call to action by committing to contact voters through postcarding, attend upcoming training, and mobilize their communities through this campaign.
Every individual has a role to play in strengthening our democracy, combatting voter suppression, and ensuring that every eligible citizen can show up as a voter in the 2022 election.
We hope you will join the RAC for two upcoming action opportunities:
