There are plans and projects for you to become involved listed below. We hope you find something that can become your passion as we work to create a more just community and world. Best wishes for a lovely Spring for you and your family.
Marion Pollock Tzedek Newsletter Editor
IMMIGRATION NEWS
TSARP Update and How you can Help with our new family (Make sure you watch the very moving video from Chronicle) In April, Jews, Christians, and Muslims observed Pesach, Easter, and Ramadan. Our TSARP group, which includes members of our Temple Community as well as friends from several churches and a mosque, was happy during this special time to begin supporting the resettlement of a lovely young Afghan family in great need, in addition to our four young Afghan friends (“the guys”). Thanks to the generosity of our donors and volunteers, we were able to move our new family into an apartment near our guys, where they have joined an Afghan arrivals community of close to 20 individuals in the same South Brookline apartment complex! Our new family is expecting a new baby in June, and we have a number of new volunteer opportunities to help support them. Please click here for more information about volunteering and a video that tells our family’s story.
Ukraine Update The Biden administration just announced a program called Uniting For Ukraine, for helping 100,00 Ukrainian citizens stay temporarily in the US in a “temporary parole” status. Although related, temporary parole is different and more limited than the “humanitarian parole” status provided to the Afghans who arrived here last year, including our guys and our new family. Currently, Ukrainians applying for this status need an individual sponsor (such as a family or organization) that agrees to provide financial support for a period. Our understanding is that the refugee resettlement agencies (such as Catholic Charities and RIAC) are not involved at this time, and that temporary parolees are not eligible for the limited government benefits that our Afghan friends have received. We will continue to update you as we learn more. You can learn more atResponding to the Crisis in Ukraine | Union for Reform Judaism (urj.org)
RAC EVENT - SAVE THE DATE
RAC Comes to Temple Shalom We are very excited to announce that the launch of the statewide affiliate of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, RAC-MA will take place on June 12 at 11AM at Temple Shalom. We are thrilled that our synagogue has been selected as the location for this in-person statewide event. This inaugural is an opportunity to come together across Massachusetts to get to know each other, to dream about what we can accomplish and to make plans for our first campaign together. So mark your calendars and stay tuned for more information.
GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION
Gun crime data analysis bill Action Alert! Please take a minute to contact our legislators in support of the Gun Crime Data Analysis Bill. This is a key bill that if passed could be a game changer in MA and nationally. For more information click here.
Newton Air Gun Ban Earlier this month, the Newton City Council passed an amendment to its Firearms Ordinance to ban the discharge of air guns anywhere in Newton. This change, now in effect, means that BB/pellet guns or air rifles may not be fired anywhere within city limits. Click here to learn more.
FOOD INSECURITY: WAYS TO HELP
Join the Temple Shalom Newton Community Freedge team! TheNewton Community Freedge is is a combination outdoor refrigerator and pantry that provides free food and prepared meals donated by local businesses. Each week, Tuesday is the day that a spirited Temple Shalom crew looks after the Freedge. If you would like to be part of this effort (typically a one-hour shift on a Tuesday you are available), please look over our volunteer opportunities and sign up for a shift. It's a fast and easy way to help your neighbors! Questions? Contact David Ryter ryter@ultranet.com or Erin Borraseborras@templeshalom.org.
The JF&CS Family Table food pantry needs donations and volunteers -- especially during the summer months! You can help in two ways...Bring cans of tuna (low or no sodium tuna especially appreciated!) and boxes of whole grain crackers (gluten free crackers welcome as well) to the temple and leave them in the bins near the main office. Temple Shalom is responsible for bringing 80 cans of tuna and 60 boxes of crackers to Family Table EVERY MONTH of the year, so we need your support to be sure we meet that ongoing commitment. Volunteer directly with Family Table. You can work on-site at the pantry or deliver food to individuals and families who are experiencing financial hardship. There is no minimum age to become a volunteer, so it's a great opportunity for families to volunteer together! Click here for more information about the food pantry, the food delivery schedule and the volunteer sign-up link. If you would like to connect with some Temple Shalom members who already volunteer for Family Table, contact Julie Youdovin at julieandjustin@gmail.com.
VOTING RIGHTS
In the 2020 election, we saw the greatest turnout of voters in the history of our country. Register today for a virtual event sponsored by the URJ on May 17 at 8 PM EDTto mark the launch of the Reform Jewish Movement’s Every Voice, Every Vote Campaign. Democracy hangs in the balance, and we can act together to strengthen it. Join us on May 17 as we renew our commitment to this vital work. Register today!
Postcarding campaign. Our Temple's postcarding effort to increase voter participation in North Carolina continues. Last month our team sent 480 postcards to help build an engaged electorate through the New North Carolina Project in advance of their May 17 primary election. https://newnorthcarolinaproject.org/ We will be continuing the second phase of this project to reach out to low propensity voters in advance of a June primary. Please join our committed group of postcard writers. Contact Arlene Pressman arpressman@gmail.com.
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
Here's some GOOD NEWS for a change! For the first time in Massachusetts history—the Massachusetts House of Representatives adopted a budget amendment to invest in abortion access and support abortion funds across the state. FY2023 budget amendment would provide $500,000 for improving reproductive health care access, infrastructure, and security in Massachusetts. A portion of these funds would be allocated in grants to three abortion funds in the Commonwealth: the Jane Fund of Central Massachusetts, the Abortion Rights Fund of Western Massachusetts, and the Eastern Massachusetts Abortion Fund. The House will vote on its final budget later this week and the Massachusetts Senate will take up its budget process in May. As anti-choice states across the country look to eliminate access to abortion care, Massachusetts remains a beacon for reproductive freedom.
HOUSING EQUITY
April was "National Fair Housing Month." The Newton Interfaith Coalition for Housing Equity sent letters to our City Councilors, outlining our goals of abundant, accessible and affordable housing. The next step is to schedule meetings with Councilors to discuss how we can work together to make Newton an inclusive, welcoming city where anyone who wants to live here can find a home. We invite you to become part of this important effort. Please contact Arlene Pressman arpressman@gmail.com
