I am writing this as we hunker down for the Bizzard of ’22. How gratifying it was to check out the Freedge Facebook page the day before the storm as many Newtonians filled the pantry and freedge to help our neighbors prepare to weather the storm. This is a reminder of what a wonderful community we all share. Thanks to all our leaders and congregants who help sustain this important initiative.
This is the first newsletter since the hostage situation in Texas which involved Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker. Many of us met Rabbi Cytron Walker over 15 years ago when he visited Temple Shalom. Having this personal connection made the situation in Colleyville all the more real. Please read the information on Gun Violence Prevention below.
Best wishes for good health for you and your friends and families.
Best, Marion Pollock Tzedek Newsletter Editor
Gun Violence Prevention There are currently 3 bills that need your support. Please contact your legislator to let them know you support the following bills:
H.1826/S.920, An Act to Promote Public Safety and Better Outcomes for Young Adults (Raise the Age), sponsored by State Rep. James O'Day and Rep. Khan, raises the age at which a young person is considered an adult in the eyes of the justice system. Urge your legislators to contact the Judiciary Committee to ask for a favorable report.
H.2437/S.1562, An Act Relative to Crime Gun Data Reporting and Analysis, sponsored by Senator Cindy Creem and Rep. Marjorie Decker, will ensure MA remains a leader in evidence-based gun violence prevention policy. Contact your legislator and urge them to contact the Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security to move the bill forward.
H.2519/S.1552, An Act to Create Alternatives for Community Emergency Services (ACES), sponsored by Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa, and Senator Sonia Chang-Díaz, would fund non-law enforcement, community-based response programs for mental health crisis calls. Ask your legislators to contact the Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security to move the bill forward.
You can also check out the Religious Action Center’s Gun violence prevention actions here, https://rac.org/issues/gun-violence-prevention. Immigration News - on the Local Level In last month’s newsletter, we were about to welcome our 4 young Afghan friends to their new apartments, lovingly prepared by TSARP members from Temple Shalom, Sacred Heart/Our Lady’s Church, and Newton Highlands Congregational Church. We’re happy to report that our friends moved in and were delighted to be there. Within 2 weeks, they all started jobs! They have become expert T commuters and have now experienced their first New England blizzard (fortunately they’re used to this kind of weather!) They are on their way to becoming productive members of our local community.
TSARP members have been helping our friends in a number of areas. We are always looking for more people to help with driving (to appointments and shopping) and will soon be looking for help from an immigration lawyer. If you’re interested in any of these, please contact Elizabeth Connolly at econnolly@srsmedical.com and we will add you to our list.
Immigration News - on the National Level
Our 4 Afghan friends are here on a 2-year visa. To ensure they can stay here and continue their path to citizenship, please help on Tuesday February 8thwith the HIAS Call-in Day of Action on the Afghan Adjustment Act. Join HIAS leaders throughout the country in calling your Representative and Senators using the numbers below, urging them to take action on the Afghan Adjustment Act!
The Afghan Adjustment Act is critical because it would grant the Afghans evacuated here, like our 4 friends, permanent legal status. Without it, their ability to stay permanently will be significantly harder, requiring them to fight through an unnecessary, incredibly complicated, and expensive legal process to be able to stay. If Congress doesn't act, this not only makes life much more difficult for the Afghans, but for all who are working so hard to support them (like our TSARP volunteers.)
On February 8th, we will be calling our Senators and Representatives throughout the day to push them to take action on the Afghan Adjustment Act. It is critical that as many members of Congress hear from as many of us as possible, including both champions of this cause and those who have been resistant.
Even though our local legislators are very good on this issue, every call will make an impact here- the leadership of both houses of Congress are making decisions about what to put in and what not to put in- pushing our own elected officials on this will send the message that we want the legislation in. If they don't hear from us about this, they won't know it matters to us.
Numbers to call on February 8: Senator Ed Markey: (202) 224-2472 Senator Elizabeth Warren: (202) 224-4543 Rep. Jake Auchincloss: (202) 225-5931
Food Insecurity and Volunteer Opportunities The Centre Street Food Pantry appreciates and requests continued participation in their Kids Club Program. Drop off on Furber Lane entrance February 14 and 28th.
Greater Boston Jewish Coalitation for Literacy (GBJCL) mobilizes the Jewish community to tutor elementary school children and help them discover the joy of reading. Through partnerships with synagogues, Jewish community organizations, day schools, and local businesses, GBJCL engages volunteer tutors in school-based one-to-one literacy tutoring, mentoring, book drives, and advocacy efforts in under-served communities. Since the onset of the pandemic, there are opportunities for virtual tutoring. Please contact Arlene Pressman at ar.pressman@gmail.com for more information.
Newton Interfaith Coalition for Housing Equity Newton is now planning a redesign of our 100 year old zoning ordinance. We are striving to make living in Newton more possible for people across the income spectrum, including many who find the median price of $1.3 million for home ownership and rental high prices out of reach. As we know, zoning reform is not the only way to impact “making room” for others, but it is a necessary, poorly understood, yet an important avenue for systemic change. Other actions could include supporting folks at risk of eviction, changing tear down policies, promoting the new Housing Trust, and supporting specific projects like the Armory which will be transformed into 42 affordable homes.
If enough people are interested, we have the opportunity to come together on Zoom to view and discuss a 16 minute animated film, "Segregated by Design," which examines the forgotten history of how our federal, state and local governments unconstitutionally segregated every major metropolitan area in America through law and policy. https://www.segregatedbydesign.com/
Please contact Arlene Pressman at ar.pressman@gmail.com if you are interested in viewing this film and gathering to discuss the troubling history of zoning Welcome Home is a Newton based home goods pantry which strives to provide families experiencing hardship with basic household items they need to live with dignity. They collect and redistribute like-new household items to dozens of people in need with no fees, no forms and no requirements. There are opportunities for high school students, b'nai mitzvah students, as well as adults to volunteer at their Newton Center "showroom," and there is always a need for us to host a "blanket drive." Please contact Arlene Pressman at ar.pressman@gmail.com.
